The Train Problem

Recently in my ethics class, I learned of the moral dilemma of the Trolley Problem, originally developed by Philippa Foot, later reexamined by Judith Jarvis Thomson, and I learned of Thomson's Transplant Problem.

I can't stop thinking about these problems, so I made a video examining some of the possible ethical approaches.

WARNING: Contains toy violence. May not be suitable for minors :D

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• thomas
• percy
• harold
• gordon
• train problem
• trolley problem
• thomson
• foot
• transplant problem

[tfk8623]

what the f*** is this ???

[ElasticGiraffe]

There is also the Kantian deontological approach, which would say let the five die in both instances because one has an inviolable duty not to terminate an innocent life--regardless of the consequences. It certainly is a pickle of a problem.

I love your Thomas the Tank Engine and Lego people illustrations. lol Very cute. :)

[ngath19]

Yes you can

[stalepieonceagain]

Besides, do you even need a kidney? Can you, like, get by with just one?

[stalepieonceagain]

No one gives me a Playstation 3 even though I need one. I need one for business purposes to learn about the modern game industry! This is my livelihood! Economics!

[stalepieonceagain]

Even if John is a criminal, she cannot kill him unless there's been a trial and he's found guilty of a crime worthy of capital punishment. Even though, I'm not sure she still has a right to take his organs.

The other people who need his organs will just have to wait and die. You don't deserve something that isn't yours just because you don't have one of your own.

[stalepieonceagain]

Since he's using a train, he isn't really culpable for any people or animals he hits that are on the track.

[stalepieonceagain]

The only reason he should consider hitting the five is because it's possible the impact of the people in front will throw the people behind them off the track, or cushion the blow, so they don't all get a direct hit.

[stalepieonceagain]

Also I don't know why the people on the tracks can't just jump off or step aside.

[stalepieonceagain]

Well, in the train situation, he has no choice but to kill at least one person, so he should try to kill as few as possible. I didn't know trains could change directions though -- I thought that was done by the track operators.

The organ situation: of course, he should not murder anyone (and steal). But you do not know whether the people who need organs deserve to live, or whether John deserves to live. What if he's a criminal?

I don't think the two situations compare.

Also I don't know