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Would you flip the switch?

Asked by Anaphase (768points) July 29th, 2008

I’m curious to see how Flutherers will answer these philosophical questions.

QUESTION 1: A vacant trolley is barreling down it’s tracks and is heading straight for five strangers tied to the end of the track. You notice that there is an alternate track which the trolley can take if you just flip a switch. The alternate track has a single person tied to the end of it. You have the ability to flip the switch just in time. Do you flip it?

QUESTION 2: A vacant trolley is barreling down it’s tracks and is heading straight for five strangers tied to the end of the track. You notice that the very large man next to you would stop the trolley in it’s tracks if you just pushed him in front of the trolley. You have the ability to push the very large man in front of the trolley. Do you push him?

The trolley will certainly kill whoever it hits and you do not know any of these people.

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