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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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