Train Decision

Radical · May 29, 2014

Imagine a train track with five people tied to it. To the side there is another track with one person tied to it. A train is heading straight down the line towards the five people and is going too fast to stop. There is a lever next to you which would change the course of the train and divert it down the track with one person tied to it. There is no one else around and only you can decide whether to pull the lever or not. You do not know any of the people involved and also do not know anything about their lives. Do you divert the train or allow it to run its course?

Got this idea from here: http://idebate.org/debatabase/debates/philosophy/kill-one-save-many-junior

Remember these things when answering this: You do not know any of the people involved and also do not know anything about their lives.

Damian · May 29, 2014

I love this question, I was doing it in my TOK class earlier this year.
Personally, no matter how the scenario, I wouldn't change the train tracks. I don't feel as though I can play "God" and decide who dies or not. Though people argue that you should switch the train tracks to save five people, it's then entirely your fault for the death of that one person. It's unfair that the train was switched to another track, as you're altering the fates of people - Which is some Final Destination shit and they'll all die anyway.

Radical · May 29, 2014

Deuce said:
I love this question, I was doing it in my TOK class earlier this year.
Personally, no matter how the scenario, I wouldn't change the train tracks. I don't feel as though I can play "God" and decide who dies or not. Though people argue that you should switch the train tracks to save five people, it's then entirely your fault for the death of that one person. It's unfair that the train was switched to another track, as you're altering the fates of people - Which is some Final Destination shit and they'll all die anyway.

This question just reminds me of a SAW trap for some reason. People die and you have a choice. Personally, I wouldn't switch it because I would have been under so much pressure.

Jamil · May 29, 2014

I would just leave, they got in the mess somehow so it's not my job to fix it.

JohnnyG · May 30, 2014

I'd just derail the train tbh. I win. PM me for my PayPal email so you can send my prize.

FTP · May 30, 2014

I'll take a selfie with all of them trapped; In a serious note they weren't put there on accident, so I wouldn't save their lives on purpose.

Ride · May 30, 2014

Deuce said:
I love this question, I was doing it in my TOK class earlier this year.
Personally, no matter how the scenario, I wouldn't change the train tracks. I don't feel as though I can play "God" and decide who dies or not. Though people argue that you should switch the train tracks to save five people, it's then entirely your fault for the death of that one person. It's unfair that the train was switched to another track, as you're altering the fates of people - Which is some Final Destination shit and they'll all die anyway.

Im lost in your signature brb this is great,

Nevermind · May 30, 2014

As guilty and horrible as I would feel for changing the track, I would have to do it. No questions.

Ride · May 30, 2014

Leader said:
As guilty and horrible as I would feel for changing the track, I would have to do it. No questions.

I have to agree with @Leader even though I think the world is over populated as it is. Now if it was someone I knew on the side with one person I would have to save them as its something that is naturally in the human brain.

Michael · May 31, 2014

I'd allow the train to run it's course. Those tied to me would understand, hopefully.

Aura · May 31, 2014

I would divert it. It only makes sense.

Random · May 31, 2014

I would hop on the train, overtake the engine room, and stop it.
Those who know me, Know i'm a superhero

@jai

Cann!bal · May 31, 2014

Firstly, I would like to state I hate hypotheticals because they confine reality. Moreover, I think we must recognize that the act of saving five lives by altering the pathway is blindly murder. The consequentialist logic of this scenario doesn't account for the diversity and character of the troop of 5 and the lonesome man, rather simply and purely the numbers. The group of 5 could be a troop of Nazi war criminals whilst the lonesome man could hold the knowledge to curing cancer or be a beloved family member for all we know.

I can't make a settlement with the givens of this scenario. There's not enough there to make a choice that's wiseworthy.

Lifts · May 31, 2014

I would let nature run it's course and just walk away, switching it would be murder imo

Envy · Jul 13, 2014

Well, I decided to bump this since another user created the same exact thing.

Train Decision

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