Chapter 01 of 5
The Switch: Origin of Choice
Philippa Foot’s 1967 dilemma and the logic of Utilitarianism.
- Origin
The Foot Scenario
Philosopher Philippa Foot introduced the trolley problem in 1967. It wasn't a viral meme, but a serious inquiry into abortion and the doctrine of double effect.
- The Setup
A Runaway Train
A trolley is barreling down the tracks toward five unsuspecting workers. You stand next to a switch that can redirect it.
- The Tradeoff
The Lone Worker
On the side track sits a single worker. If you pull the lever, the five are saved, but the one is killed.
17 more cards in this chapter
Could you answer this?
In the original 1967 scenario by Philippa Foot, approximately what percentage of people choose to pull the switch?
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🚃 The Trolley Problem: The Math of Morality
- 01The Switch: Origin of ChoicePhilippa Foot’s 1967 dilemma and the logic of Utilitarianism.
- 02The Bridge: The Pushing PointJudith Jarvis Thomson’s variant that shatters simple math.
- 03Deontology vs. UtilityThe theoretical war between Immanuel Kant and Jeremy Bentham.
- 04The Moral ArchitectureThe Double Effect and why the brain differentiates intent from result.
- 05Algorithms of Life and DeathApplying moral theory to AI, self-driving cars, and triage.