The Trolley Problem and Moral Dilemmas

In this classic Trolley Problem scenario, the majority of people believe it is morally permissible to pull the lever and save five lives, even if it means sacrificing one person.

In this scenario, the patient who needs a heart is more likely to die without the transplant, so it is generally considered morally permissible to give them the organ, even if it means the other patient will not receive a transplant.

In this scenario, the weak swimmer is more likely to drown without your help, so it is generally considered morally permissible to save them, even if it means the strong swimmer may also drown.

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a way to avoid killing the enemy combatant, even if it means disobeying orders, as killing an innocent person is wrong.

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to focus on developing a cure that will benefit a large group of people, as this will save more lives overall.

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that benefits both your constituents and people in other parts of the country, as it is wrong to harm others for your own benefit.

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a way to tell the patient their diagnosis in a way that minimizes their distress, as it is important to respect their right to know their diagnosis while also minimizing their suffering.

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that allows your child to participate in the activity in a safer way, as it is important to respect their autonomy while also protecting them from harm.

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that allows the student to pass the class without condoning cheating, as it is important to balance the need to uphold academic integrity with the need to help students succeed.

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that allows you to save money without laying off employees, as it is important to balance the need to run a profitable business with the need to protect the livelihoods of your employees.

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that allows the patient to make a decision about their own body without violating your own moral beliefs, as it is important to respect the patient's autonomy while also upholding your own moral values.

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that allows you to conduct the research in a way that minimizes the potential for harm, as it is important to balance the need for scientific progress with the need to protect people from harm.

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that benefits both your constituents and people in other countries, as it is wrong to harm others for your own benefit.

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that allows you to prescribe the drug in a way that minimizes the potential for harm, as it is important to balance the need to help the patient with the need to protect them from harm.

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that allows you to publish your research findings in a way that minimizes the potential for harm, as it is important to balance the need for scientific progress with the need to protect people from harm.