1 of 11

The Trolley Problem

Simon

Trigger Warning Death

2 of 11

3 of 11

4 of 11

Ethical Frameworks

  • Deontology
    • Actions are right or wrong
  • Utilitarianism
    • Results are what matters
    • Maximize Utils
  • Virtue Ethics
    • Cultivate Virtues and what you do will be ethical

5 of 11

Trolley Problem Ethics

  • Utilitarianism
    • Save 5 people
  • Deontology Ethics
    • Unethical to kill
  • Virtue Ethics
    • Lose lose situation doesn’t let you be obviously virtuous
    • But a virtuous person would act morally here

6 of 11

Other “Fun” ethical frameworks

  • Egoism
    • I do best for me
    • Would I get in trouble for pulling the lever?
  • Jewish Perspective
    • Semi-local Rabbi Garelik says�Can’t involve yourself in a murder. Unethical to change the situation

Aleister Crowley, a famous egoist I skimmed the wikipedia page to find an image of one to put on my presentation. I literally know nothing else about him. I think he wrote a book about it

7 of 11

Ethical frameworks have counter arguments

  • Utilitarianism
    • What if someone you saved was evil?
    • Murder is wrong no matter what
    • Feels wrong to choose to kill someone
  • Virtue Ethics
    • There is no right choice here, both are immoral

8 of 11

How do People Actually Decide Ethics?

9 of 11

Emotivism

  • Instead of Right or Wrong, Approve of or Disapprove of
    • Can’t prove morals
    • Can state opinions on them
  • Ethical Questions are answered by how people feel about them
    • Most common counter arguments against ethical frameworks
      • [source] My life experience

C.L. Stevenson a core developer of the theory

10 of 11

Ethical frameworks have counter arguments

  • Utilitarianism
    • What if someone you saved was evil?
    • Murder is wrong no matter what
    • Feels wrong to choose to kill someone
  • Virtue Ethics
    • There is no right choice here, both are immoral

11 of 11

A fun way to look at the trolley problem

https://neal.fun/absurd-trolley-problems/