ipl-logo

The Good Life Project, Part Three Racquel Davis Phil 103 Centralia College

1052 Words5 Pages

The Good Life Project, Part 3 Racquel Davis PHIL 103 Centralia College The Trolley Problem stands as a seminal ethical puzzle, inviting individuals to confront the complexities of moral decision-making and grapple with profound questions of ethics. Rooted in hypothetical scenarios involving life and death decisions, the Trolley Problem compels individuals to confront the fundamental moral dilemma of whether it is justifiable to sacrifice one life to save many others. This essay aims to embark on a comprehensive exploration of the Trolley Problem, analyzing its implications through various ethical lenses, including utilitarianism, moral intuition, theories of moral psychology, and Kantian deontology. Through this comprehensive analysis, we seek to advocate for a nuanced solution that …show more content…

"The Trolley Problem compels individuals to confront the fundamental moral dilemma of whether it is justifiable to sacrifice one life to save many others" (Shafer-Landau). The central ethical question posed by the Trolley Problem revolves around the morality of actively choosing to divert the trolley, thereby sacrificing one life to save five. Utilitarianism, a consequentialist ethical theory, asserts that the moral rightness of an action is determined by its consequences, specifically its ability to maximize overall happiness or utility. From a utilitarian perspective, the solution to the Trolley Problem appears straightforward: divert the trolley onto the track with only one individual, thereby minimizing overall harm and maximizing utility. By sacrificing the life of one individual to save the lives of five others, the action aligns with the foundational tenets of utilitarianism by producing the greatest good for the greatest

Show More
Related

Utilitarianism In The Things They Carried By Tim O Brien

1673 Words | 7 Pages

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that determines right from wrong when looking at the outcomes. It believes that the most ethical choice is the one that will produce the greatest good for the greatest number. Consequentialism is found in utilitarianism; consequentialism is largely thought about during war. When you fight for your life in war, you end up taking another person's life. While this may be good for your country, it is hurting a different country.

Read More

The Trolley Problem By Philippa Foot Summary

1497 Words | 6 Pages

Philippa Foot introduces the Trolley Problem in The Problem of Abortion and the Doctrine of the Double Effect. She uses it to illustrate some terms of some use to her, such as ‘double effect’, and ‘positive-’ and ‘negative duties’. As I understand it, ‘double effect’ is an originally-Catholic term that has to do with the fact that one always intends both the ends of an action and the means to the ends: both effects are taken into consideration. However, an undesirable effect of the means to an end is also desirable in that it accomplishes an end.

Read More

Would You Pull The Trolley Switch Analysis

977 Words | 4 Pages

In this age of groundbreaking technology and completely autonomous cars, we are faced with several new morally challenging questions. This is the future and we have to answer them. If we don’t, we run the risk of never advancing as a species. Lauren Davis concurs with this statement in her article “Would You Pull the Trolley Switch? Does it Matter?”

Read More

The Trolley Problem By Phillipa Foot

719 Words | 3 Pages

To address the question of whether a morally relevant distinction exists between killing and letting die, Phillipa Foot considers the contrast between the agent of harm originating a fatal sequence and allowing a fatal sequence to occur. This is the basis for the objection presented in the Trolley Problem to which she attempts to offer a reply. In this paper, I will defend the Trolley Problem against Foot’s reply, arguing that switching the lever on the track is not just diverting a fatal sequence, but also initiating a new fatal sequence, and explain how this discredits Foot’s argument. Prior to discussing the Trolley Problem, Foot develops an argument in favor of a morally relevant distinction between killing and letting die. She focuses

Read More

Trolley Problem Vs Transplant Surgeon Problem

896 Words | 4 Pages

In the Trolley Problem a person has to choose between two outcomes. You can either let the train continue down the path and kill five people who have all been tied down to the track, or you can flip the switch that you have control over and divert the train to

Read More

Analysis: Would Mill Run Over Five Adults Or A Childhood

369 Words | 2 Pages

The main argument would be deciding if the trolley would run over five adults or one child. If there was a chance to save all six people, then that would definitely be the best option, but this is not the case. The philosophy of Mill would propose a way to handle this. He described his method as a hierarchy of pleasures, which is determined by qualitative distinctions. The higher pleasures would be more focused on the mind instead of the body.

Read More

Summary Of Philippa Foot On Abortion And The Doctrine Of Double Effect

196 Words | 1 Pages

Philippa Foot presented a series of moral dilemmas when she discussed abortion and the Doctrine of Double Effect. One famous problem of her was the trolley dilemma: “..he is the driver of a runaway tram which he can only steer from one narrow track onto another; five men are working on one track and one on the other; anyone the tack he enters is bound to be killed.” (Foot, 1967, p. 2) What should the driver do? Despite what he does, he will harm someone!1

Read More

Principle Of Utility And The Formula Of Humanity

1339 Words | 6 Pages

Moral Dilemmas of the Trolley Case Introduction This essay will explain what the Principle of Utility and the Formula of Humanity. This essay will outline three trolley cases (the Switch Case, the Fat Man Case and the Loop Case) and how the Principle of Utility and the Formula of Humanity apply in determining what is the moral thing to do when faced with any of these three scenario. This essay will also explain the action that I would take if faced with these cases.

Read More

Ethical Dilemma In Rescue Two By Philippa Foot

900 Words | 4 Pages

However, in Rescue II, Mill would recommend that the rescuer does not drive over the trapped individual to save the five people. This is because the harm caused to the trapped individual would outweigh the benefits of saving the five people. The Principle of Utility, as defined by Mill, suggests that actions should be evaluated based on the amount of pleasure or pain they cause. In this situation, the Principle of Utility would apply by “counting” the number of people affected by each action. In Rescue I, the five people being saved would bring more pleasure to more people, thus making it the right course of action.

Read More

John Stuart Mill: The Train To The Right Killing One Person

417 Words | 2 Pages

I think I will divert the train to the right killing one person because one person is less important than five. Sometimes it is important to do what is right than what is morally good to do. The utilitarianism is a moral theory that gives happiness to the number of people in the society and it has been considered greatness, an action is morally appropriate if its outcomes lead to happiness and wrong if it results in sadness. I will begin by describing what Mill might do in the Trolley situation. Next, I will contrast what Kant might do in this situation and lastly, I will be also going to give my opinion on this Trolley situation.

Read More

Objection To Act Utilitarianism

1217 Words | 5 Pages

Utilitarianism is the moral theory that the action that people should take it the one that provides the greatest utility. In this paper I intend to argue that utilitarianism is generally untenable because act and rule utilitarianism both have objections that prove they cannot fully provide the sure answer on how to make moral decisions and what will be the ultimate outcome. I intend to do this by defining the argument for act and rule utilitarianism, giving an example, presenting the objections to act and rule utilitarianism and proving that utilitarianism is untenable. Both act and rule utilitarianism attempt to argue that what is right or wrong can be proven by what morally increases the well being of people. Act utilitarianism argues that

Read More

Importance Of Utilitarianism In Marketing To Children

1312 Words | 6 Pages

It states that an action which is deemed right is one that has not merely some good consequences, but also the greatest amount of good consequences possible when the negative consequences are also given due considerations. According to the utilitarian principle, the righteousness of an action is solely judged on the basis of its consequences. Classical utilitarianism determines the balance of pleasure and pain for each individual affected by the action in question as well as the amount of utility for the whole

Read More

Moral Paradox Research Paper

795 Words | 4 Pages

In this paper I will argue the following. People face moral choices. Often these choices are hard, and a person will be torn between two options. Both options seem like they have an overwhelming reason behind them, but a choice is necessary. Some consider this to be a moral paradox.

Read More

Example Of Consequentialism Essay

1340 Words | 6 Pages

Consequentialism is a theory stating morality is dependent on an action’s outcomes; the most noteworthy example of this theory is utilitarianism. Consequentialism is contested as critics find it overdemanding for application on the virtue of its extensiveness in the individual’s life and reliance on unpredictable consequences, and due to the depth of logic override necessary to maximise happiness in some situations. Rebuttals have been made, and in this essay, I will explain the principles of consequentialism and utilitarianism and argue that the refutations are unsuccessful. Consequentialists, as aforementioned, strive to create best overall consequences for the largest amount of people. Moral agents must aim to maximise happiness and minimise pain.

Read More

Good Life Research Paper

1002 Words | 5 Pages

Throughout the history, there have been heated discussions on what constitutes a good life. Philosophers have given different annotations on the meaning of good life based on their beliefs, perspectives or even scientific-based evidences. Some view a good life as an accumulation of material goods that brings “large amount” of pleasure to oneself. On the other hand, Mencius and Aristotle advocate good life as possessing of pleasure that incorporates ethical values and they believe that by doing so one will experience enduring happiness. There is no ultimate right or wrong for these interpretations since this is not a factual question.

Read More

More about The Good Life Project, Part Three Racquel Davis Phil 103 Centralia College

Open Document