FabSwingers.com > Forums > Ireland > The Trolley Dilemma
The Trolley Dilemma
Jump to: Newest in thread
 |
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
This age-old hypothetical always intrigues me! 
I think it's fascinating how and why people choose the outcome they do, what questions they ask and even those who may agree on what actions to take might do so for completely different reasons!
So essentially the scenario is...
- You're standing next to the tram tracks when, in the distance, you notice a runaway trolley coming down the tracks towards five people who can't see/hear it coming. Even if they do spot it, or you're able to grab their attention, they won’t be able to move out of the way in time.
- You notice a lever that will divert the trolley down a second set of tracks away from the group of five!
- However, down this second track is one lone person, just as oblivious to the danger as the others and would suffer the same fate.
Ultimately, would you pull the lever or not and why?
...so upbeat, I know! |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"This age-old hypothetical always intrigues me!
I think it's fascinating how and why people choose the outcome they do, what questions they ask and even those who may agree on what actions to take might do so for completely different reasons!
So essentially the scenario is...
- You're standing next to the tram tracks when, in the distance, you notice a runaway trolley coming down the tracks towards five people who can't see/hear it coming. Even if they do spot it, or you're able to grab their attention, they won’t be able to move out of the way in time.
- You notice a lever that will divert the trolley down a second set of tracks away from the group of five!
- However, down this second track is one lone person, just as oblivious to the danger as the others and would suffer the same fate.
Ultimately, would you pull the lever or not and why?
...so upbeat, I know! "
Do I know any of the people  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *og-ManMan
over a year ago
somewhere |
I presume that there's no other options like a stop completely lever...its one or the other
If thats the case Id pull the lever to allow the single person to die
I think I could live with the guilt but who knows |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
If the single person on the track is someone I love, and the people on the track are strangers, I'd save one over the other 5 without batting an eyelid...it only becomes difficult when the people involved on both sides of the track are a mix of people you love and can't abide...
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I honestly can't see that most people would do anything besides screaming at the individuals involved or watching frozen with shock, especially since this is clearly something that happens very quickly. Virtue signalling is cheap and easy. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"It becomes much more difficult if it is one child on the other track vs 5 adults. There's so many variables to the question. "
Yet very few who replied to the thread have asked questions... funny that  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"It becomes much more difficult if it is one child on the other track vs 5 adults. There's so many variables to the question. "
Seeing how people's minds work, what they/you take into account, is just as interesting sure! |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I honestly can't see that most people would do anything besides screaming at the individuals involved or watching frozen with shock, especially since this is clearly something that happens very quickly. Virtue signalling is cheap and easy. "
I think this is probably the correct answer. Most people would probably panic or be too indecisive to change the lever |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I can't see myself doing anything other than screaming at them. I'm not sure I'd have a) the knowledge to know the lever could divert the tram or b) the wherewithal in the moment to act or make anything approaching a considered decision |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I would like to think I'd pull the lever"
Follow up question then.
You're standing on a walkway above the track. You see a runaway cart about to crash into 5 people. But a very fat man is beside you leaning over.
Do you push him onto the track, knowing he is heavy enough to derail the cart and save the 5 people.
Assuming no one will see and you won't go to prison. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
Here’s the kicker, if you pull the lever, have you murdered the single person. That single person would have lived without your intervention. You basically killed them, albeit to save others.
Do nothing and you have not killed anyone as you had an impossible choice. You could have had a single mother looking after kids on the single line, and have five bad people on the five line, it’s such an impossible question but brings so much to the table. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I would like to think I'd pull the lever
Follow up question then.
You're standing on a walkway above the track. You see a runaway cart about to crash into 5 people. But a very fat man is beside you leaning over.
Do you push him onto the track, knowing he is heavy enough to derail the cart and save the 5 people.
Assuming no one will see and you won't go to prison."
Would anyone on fab find out I've body shamed him though? 5 lives vs never getting v the ride again is a completely different equation |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"I would like to think I'd pull the lever
Follow up question then.
You're standing on a walkway above the track. You see a runaway cart about to crash into 5 people. But a very fat man is beside you leaning over.
Do you push him onto the track, knowing he is heavy enough to derail the cart and save the 5 people.
Assuming no one will see and you won't go to prison."
Curse you! I had that all typed up |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I would like to think I'd pull the lever
Follow up question then.
You're standing on a walkway above the track. You see a runaway cart about to crash into 5 people. But a very fat man is beside you leaning over.
Do you push him onto the track, knowing he is heavy enough to derail the cart and save the 5 people.
Assuming no one will see and you won't go to prison.
Curse you! I had that all typed up "
Haha, jinx!
I'd probably go for the other option: Take out my phone and record it all |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *og-ManMan
over a year ago
somewhere |
Assuming I know what the lever does and I don't have time to question the 6 people to see who's lives deserve to be saved.
I'd like to think I could act and pull the lever
A few times while driving I've had a split second to turn the car so I don't hit a fox and hope I don't hit anything ...others have probably done the same
As someone in space once said " The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few ...or the one "
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *3nsesMan
over a year ago
Dublin |
"It becomes much more difficult if it is one child on the other track vs 5 adults. There's so many variables to the question.
Yet very few who replied to the thread have asked questions... funny that "
Maybe they are the smart ones?  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *3nsesMan
over a year ago
Dublin |
"It becomes much more difficult if it is one child on the other track vs 5 adults. There's so many variables to the question.
Seeing how people's minds work, what they/you take into account, is just as interesting sure!"
Definitely.  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I would not pull the lever.
For one there is a higher chance for the group that someone notices their upcoming fate and does something. If not, then you just helped mother nature in awarding the Darwin award to five people that clearly deserved it. Five stupid people less over one any time, already got an overpopulation problem anyway |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
If they work for the rail company save as many as possible.
If they're on the track getting a new Instagram pic it's their problem.
All joking aside though it depends if there are others around. Instruct one of them to throw the lever and close the distance to the single person so they could hear you.
I act or react instinctively so the debate would never arise. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"It becomes much more difficult if it is one child on the other track vs 5 adults. There's so many variables to the question.
Yet very few who replied to the thread have asked questions... funny that
Maybe they are the smart ones? "
Smart in what way? They know that they don't know how they'd react because the reality and the hypothetical are 2 entirely different kettle of fish.
It's a hypothetical situation. We each are all visualising the scenario (if taking this semi seriously, that is) but you can bet your bottom dollar that each one of us is seeing something different. None of us know how we would actually react in an emergency situation unless we've been there...some of us have visualised people we know on the tracks, some have visualised strangers, one was only worried about the contents of the trolley - be that in jest to add to the entertainment factor, or not... |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"It becomes much more difficult if it is one child on the other track vs 5 adults. There's so many variables to the question.
Yet very few who replied to the thread have asked questions... funny that
Maybe they are the smart ones?
Smart in what way? They know that they don't know how they'd react because the reality and the hypothetical are 2 entirely different kettle of fish.
It's a hypothetical situation. We each are all visualising the scenario (if taking this semi seriously, that is) but you can bet your bottom dollar that each one of us is seeing something different. None of us know how we would actually react in an emergency situation unless we've been there...some of us have visualised people we know on the tracks, some have visualised strangers, one was only worried about the contents of the trolley - be that in jest to add to the entertainment factor, or not..."
I visualise the scenario in a Lidl Trolly  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"It becomes much more difficult if it is one child on the other track vs 5 adults. There's so many variables to the question.
Yet very few who replied to the thread have asked questions... funny that
Maybe they are the smart ones?
Smart in what way? They know that they don't know how they'd react because the reality and the hypothetical are 2 entirely different kettle of fish.
It's a hypothetical situation. We each are all visualising the scenario (if taking this semi seriously, that is) but you can bet your bottom dollar that each one of us is seeing something different. None of us know how we would actually react in an emergency situation unless we've been there...some of us have visualised people we know on the tracks, some have visualised strangers, one was only worried about the contents of the trolley - be that in jest to add to the entertainment factor, or not...
I visualise the scenario in a Lidl Trolly "
Lol, then it is not exactly a deadly scenario - unless it's filled with explosives |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"It becomes much more difficult if it is one child on the other track vs 5 adults. There's so many variables to the question.
Yet very few who replied to the thread have asked questions... funny that
Maybe they are the smart ones?
Smart in what way? They know that they don't know how they'd react because the reality and the hypothetical are 2 entirely different kettle of fish.
It's a hypothetical situation. We each are all visualising the scenario (if taking this semi seriously, that is) but you can bet your bottom dollar that each one of us is seeing something different. None of us know how we would actually react in an emergency situation unless we've been there...some of us have visualised people we know on the tracks, some have visualised strangers, one was only worried about the contents of the trolley - be that in jest to add to the entertainment factor, or not...
I visualise the scenario in a Lidl Trolly
Lol, then it is not exactly a deadly scenario - unless it's filled with explosives "
You have clearly never been in Lidl when they release one if their limited time offers |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *oo32Man
over a year ago
tipperary |
"This age-old hypothetical always intrigues me!
I think it's fascinating how and why people choose the outcome they do, what questions they ask and even those who may agree on what actions to take might do so for completely different reasons!
So essentially the scenario is...
- You're standing next to the tram tracks when, in the distance, you notice a runaway trolley coming down the tracks towards five people who can't see/hear it coming. Even if they do spot it, or you're able to grab their attention, they won’t be able to move out of the way in time.
- You notice a lever that will divert the trolley down a second set of tracks away from the group of five!
- However, down this second track is one lone person, just as oblivious to the danger as the others and would suffer the same fate.
Ultimately, would you pull the lever or not and why?
...so upbeat, I know! "
You could steer it down either track...ultimately letting one person die or 5 people die...
Or you could throw yourself under the trolley and save them all |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"what is a 'trolley' and how big is it? could i knock it off the tracks? obviously not if its a tram, but surely you wouldve said tram if it was a tram?"
Sorry...it's a tram  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"what is a 'trolley' and how big is it? could i knock it off the tracks? obviously not if its a tram, but surely you wouldve said tram if it was a tram?
Sorry...it's a tram "
Is that Nordie speak - getting me confused again!! |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
Of you half pullthe lever would that disturb the trolly and make it fall off the track before anyone got killed. If not then it would be the greater good. Hoping that chances of 5 people surviving would do more good through out there life's than is 1 person did |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"It becomes much more difficult if it is one child on the other track vs 5 adults. There's so many variables to the question.
Yet very few who replied to the thread have asked questions... funny that
Maybe they are the smart ones?
Smart in what way? They know that they don't know how they'd react because the reality and the hypothetical are 2 entirely different kettle of fish.
It's a hypothetical situation. We each are all visualising the scenario (if taking this semi seriously, that is) but you can bet your bottom dollar that each one of us is seeing something different. None of us know how we would actually react in an emergency situation unless we've been there...some of us have visualised people we know on the tracks, some have visualised strangers, one was only worried about the contents of the trolley - be that in jest to add to the entertainment factor, or not...
I visualise the scenario in a Lidl Trolly
Lol, then it is not exactly a deadly scenario - unless it's filled with explosives
You have clearly never been in Lidl when they release one if their limited time offers"
Of explosives thought that's Walmart |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"what is a 'trolley' and how big is it? could i knock it off the tracks? obviously not if its a tram, but surely you wouldve said tram if it was a tram?
Sorry...it's a tram "
I was picturing a wild, wild west movie scenario...you know the one |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"This age-old hypothetical always intrigues me!
I think it's fascinating how and why people choose the outcome they do, what questions they ask and even those who may agree on what actions to take might do so for completely different reasons!
So essentially the scenario is...
- You're standing next to the tram tracks when, in the distance, you notice a runaway trolley coming down the tracks towards five people who can't see/hear it coming. Even if they do spot it, or you're able to grab their attention, they won’t be able to move out of the way in time.
- You notice a lever that will divert the trolley down a second set of tracks away from the group of five!
- However, down this second track is one lone person, just as oblivious to the danger as the others and would suffer the same fate.
Ultimately, would you pull the lever or not and why?
...so upbeat, I know! "
This is actually a dilema manufacturers of self driving cars are having to deal with. Same scenario with a driver ...kill 5, kill 1 or potentially kill yourself. A driver makes an instinctual decision whereas a self driving car must be programmed so the programmer has now decided the fate of the people ....what will he decide ? And who is then the responsible party, does your insurance pay out or does the car company. Who goes to court ? |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
Let it hit the five they will brace the trolley as a group and lessen the impact power of each person where if ya let it hit one that person will take all the impact putting that person in the maximum danger of severe injury out all six...
Easy choice tbh |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
You have little time to think, so whatever you do won't be based on rational, logical decision making. You'll act on your gut instinct. In my experience most people would run away, or pretend they don't see it. It depends if you've been trained to act quickly in emergencies, or not. I'm not sure how I'd react. Who knows? Maybe is just observe with detachment. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
The main thing you are taught to do in an emergency is not to put yourself at risk. Your first concern is always for your own safety and then you have to assess the danger and make a judgement call. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *iss3BWoman
over a year ago
north down |
"I will wake up just before the choice needs made, it's like a weird dream I'd have lol
Sounds like you have some tough choices to make in real life if that's what you're dreaming "
Oh I know I do  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
» Add a new message to this topic
