The trolley problem is a hypothetical situation designed to explore the clash between following deontological principles and allowing a great deal of harm to occur. So, in setting up this problem, we should be trying to limit these extraneous factors as much as possible. So we’ll say that you are the person in charge with absolute authority over what call to make. We will say that none of this is your fault or anyone’s fault—these people just mysteriously appeared on the tracks as a result of quantum fluctuations.
Sure, but that means there possibly is no answer (the problem is under-specified). Maybe the answer depends on preferences, not universal ethical or rational principles (such as deontological or utilitarian principles).
The trolley problem is a hypothetical situation designed to explore the clash between following deontological principles and allowing a great deal of harm to occur. So, in setting up this problem, we should be trying to limit these extraneous factors as much as possible. So we’ll say that you are the person in charge with absolute authority over what call to make. We will say that none of this is your fault or anyone’s fault—these people just mysteriously appeared on the tracks as a result of quantum fluctuations.
Sure, but that means there possibly is no answer (the problem is under-specified). Maybe the answer depends on preferences, not universal ethical or rational principles (such as deontological or utilitarian principles).