The Trolley Problem

Scroll to see replies

Reply 20

Pinkberry_y

Don't think I'd be strong enough to push the fat man off the bridge lol

Reply 21

PTMalewski

Original post by M451

Sorry, what have I missed?

The fact that we question a moral problem of sacrificing 1 existence to save 5, not the technical ability do something in specific situation.
But now I see, that maybe I missed that the second example questions not only the moral problem, but also psychological factor.

That's a miss:

Original post by Pinkberry_y

Don't think I'd be strong enough to push the fat man off the bridge lol

But I take it was deliberate.

Reply 22

Pinkberry_y

Original post by PTMalewski

As in I'm too physically weak to have the strength to push all the tonnes of his weight off a bridge

Reply 23

M451

Original post by PTMalewski

Really the question can be taken as far as you want it. Risk and uncertainty are factors that will affect the final decision.

Reply 24

PTMalewski

Original post by M451

Really the question can be taken as far as you want it. Risk and uncertainty are factors that will affect the final decision.

There was no data in that matter provided, and the question was:
"Is it permissible to throw the switch, killing one man to save five."
This clearly means that there are only two options possible, no risk factor possible. Why do you take into count factors which are not existant in discussed problem?

Original post by Pinkberry_y

As in I'm too physically weak to have the strength to push all the tonnes of his weight off a bridge

But this is like building a house from a flat jigsaw.
If you worked in a shop, and was ordered to "get rid of the mess in storage" would throw everything to rubbish bin, build a castle of boxes and cans, or would you realize that it is required to put things in some very one correct order?

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 25

M451

Original post by PTMalewski

I was referring to the second scenario:
"Consider a different scene. You are on a bridge overlooking the tracks and have spotted the runaway trolley bearing down on the five workers. Now the only way to stop the trolley is to throw a heavy object in its path. And the only heavy object within reach is a fat man standing next to you. Should you throw the man off the bridge?"

A heavy object could stop the trolley and the fat man is described as a heavy object, but still there is no mention that he can certainly stop the trolley.

Reply 26

PTMalewski

Original post by M451

A heavy object could stop the trolley and the fat man is described as a heavy object, but still there is no mention that he can certainly stop the trolley.

The only parameter given in this example is "heavy". "Heavy" is the condition required to stop the trolley. So according to given data, the fat man certainly will stop the trolley. Anything else is overinterpretation, and would massively fail in understanding philosophical problems according to particular systems, as well as understanding matchematical prolems. This is the same as using made up input in calculations on possible behaviour of real objects.