What I mean is try to suggest that even it might maybe be the right thing, or that it might be at least a worthwhile question and see how people respond.
For what it’s worth, I have explicitly asked my friends about their opinions about the Trolley problem, and as far as I remember most of them would push the fat man without hesitation.
Most people I’ve met would hesitate to perform the “pushing a fat man” action regardless of context. Think about what you’d have to do to physically push him onto the tracks. Make sure to picture your arms wrapped around him as you tackle him, the fabric of his tweed jacket abrading your face, your nose filled with his sweat, his cries of surprise and alarm and protestations all you can hear above the noise of the trolley as you strain against his bulk.
I believe all of that would be readily apparent in the moment, and most people would hesitate. But maybe I’m just thinking of northeasterners.
“Would push the fat man without hesitation” was lazy formulation on my part. They said without hesitation that pushing the fat man was the morally preferable choice, not that they would be able to act according to this belief.
What I mean is try to suggest that even it might maybe be the right thing, or that it might be at least a worthwhile question and see how people respond.
For what it’s worth, I have explicitly asked my friends about their opinions about the Trolley problem, and as far as I remember most of them would push the fat man without hesitation.
I don’t believe them.
Most people I’ve met would hesitate to perform the “pushing a fat man” action regardless of context. Think about what you’d have to do to physically push him onto the tracks. Make sure to picture your arms wrapped around him as you tackle him, the fabric of his tweed jacket abrading your face, your nose filled with his sweat, his cries of surprise and alarm and protestations all you can hear above the noise of the trolley as you strain against his bulk.
I believe all of that would be readily apparent in the moment, and most people would hesitate. But maybe I’m just thinking of northeasterners.
“Would push the fat man without hesitation” was lazy formulation on my part. They said without hesitation that pushing the fat man was the morally preferable choice, not that they would be able to act according to this belief.
Aha. An important distinction.