Absurd Trolley Problems

The original trolley problem, developed by philosopher Philippa Foot, is straightforward but complex: you can do nothing and let the trolley run over five people or switch the tracks and kill one person.

Neal Argawal, a maker of silly and fun online games, offers a long series of variations of the trolley problem. For example, would you save one cat or five lobsters? Would you kill one stranger or five clones of yourself? Five elderly people or one baby? The answers are rarely obvious, as this example demonstrates. I'd hate this one in particular because it would require me to do math under pressure.

-via Flowing Data


Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 3 comments




Email This Post to a Friend
"Absurd Trolley Problems"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More