The Trolley ProblemThe Trolley Problem

Trolley Problem A: “Bystander”

Trolley Problem 1: “Bystander”• Is it permissible to not pull the lever?• Or is it obligatory to pull the lever?

Trolley Problem B: “Transplant”

Trolley Problem 2: “Transplant”• Again, is it permissible to harvest organs from an innocent? • On a utilitarian calculation, the cases are formally identical.

=

55

1

1

Trolley Problem C: “Drug”

Trolley Problem 3: “Drug”• Given you haven’t promised the medicine to the one, it seems, it

is at least permissible that you give it to the five.• It may even be required that you give the medicine to the five.

Trolley Problem D: “Fat Man”

Trolley Problem 4: “Fat Man”• Is it permissible to push the Fat Man?• Again, the numbers seem to line up.• In all four cases, you are an agent, you have to make a choice,

and perform an action based on this choice.• So why are our instincts so different in the cases?

=

5

51

1