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A runaway trolley will kill five people tied to the tracks. You're on a bridge above them, standing next to a large stranger. Pushing them off would stop the trolley and save the five — they would die on impact. Jumping yourself would not stop it. There is no other option.
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Why this dilemma matters
Moral dilemmas like this expose a gap between what feels principled and what feels workable. Choosing “Push them. Five lives saved, one lost — the arithmetic is identical to pulling the lever” prioritises consistency with one rule; choosing “Don't push. Deliberately using a person as a physical obstacle is categorically different from redirecting a threat” gives more weight to attention to specific consequences.
Worth asking yourself
- What cost are you more willing to accept?
- Which value should matter more here?
More Morality Dilemmas
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