The Trolley Problem
There is a train that is rolling down some tracks. However, in front of it is five men, they are all tied down and cannot move. You see a lever near you; if you pull the lever, the track will be diverted to the second set of tracks. In spite of that, there is one man tied down on the second set of tracks.
There is no one else around as you are near a deserted part of tracks. There is no alternative either than pulling the lever and saving five lives or not pulling the lever and indirectly murdering one person.
You have two choices,
- Don't pull the lever, killing five but saving one
- Pull the lever, killing one but saving five
What choice is the best and most ethical choice?
The Choices
Most people would agree with the 'greater good' argument. This states that pulling the lever saves more lives and therefore, it's better. In surveys taken about the trolley problem, most people will say that they would pull that lever to save more lives, it seems logical. However, it is actually doing the action that is the hard part.
Almost everyone says they'd pull the lever, but actually pulling the lever is a different situation. What most psychologists think would happen is that most of us would just freeze. We would be so scared and confused by the situation that most of us would just stand there in shock and watch five innocent humans be badly hurt.
On the other hand, there is the percentage that would pull the lever. The trolley problem is the true test of courage within humanity. The bravest souls will get passed that frozen period and act upon the situation. They would pull the lever and save five lives and let one die. However, they would be a direct result of that one person's death. If you just stand there, you aren't at fault for the five deaths, but if you flip that lever, you have a direct affect on the life of that one person.
I wonder how this problem would hold up in court if it actually happened. We have not been able to try the trolley problem on actual humans and see their instincts and reactions... until now!
Michael Stevens from the YouTube channel 'Vsauce' has a YouTube Red Series called 'Mindfield.' In the first episode of the new series, he explores the trolley problem and has a real-world simulation set up for it. I recommend watching it.
