Dilemma of Moral Choice: Summary of The Trolley Problem

Bookey En(Book Review and Notes)

Chapter 1 What's The Trolley Problem

The Trolley Problem is a well-known thought experiment in ethics and moral philosophy that was popularized by the philosopher Philippa Foot and later discussed by other philosophers, including Judith Jarvis Thomson and Thomas Cathcart. The scenario presents a moral dilemma where an individual must choose between taking a utilitarian approach (sacrificing one to save many) or following a deontological approach (not acting to save one). The classic example involves a trolley headed towards five people tied to the tracks, and the individual must decide whether to divert the trolley onto a different track where it will only hit one person instead. This thought experiment raises questions about morality, ethics, and the value of human life.
Chapter 2 The Background of The Trolley Problem

"The Trolley Problem" is a book written by Thomas Cathcart, a philosopher known for his wit and humor in discussing complex ethical dilemmas. The book is a humorous exploration of moral philosophy, specifically focusing on the famous ethical thought experiment known as the Trolley Problem.
The Trolley Problem originated in the field of ethics and moral philosophy as a way to examine the consequences of individual decision-making in ethical dilemmas. The scenario involves a runaway trolley heading towards five people tied to the tracks. The only way to save them is to divert the trolley onto another track where only one person is tied down. The question posed by the Trolley Problem is whether it is morally acceptable to actively choose to sacrifice one person to save five.
Cathcart's book explores this thought experiment in a lighthearted and engaging way, using humor and wit to delve into the complexities of morality, ethics, and human decision-making. In doing so, he encourages readers to think critically about their own ethical beliefs and principles.
Overall, "The Trolley Problem" offers a fresh and entertaining perspective on a timeless philosophical dilemma, inviting readers to engage with questions of ethics and morality in a playful and approachable manner.
Chapter 3 The Trolley Problem Summary

In The Trolley Problem, Thomas Cathcart explores a philosophical thought experiment that examines moral dilemmas and ethical decision-making. The scenario presented in the trolley problem involves a runaway trolley headed towards a group of five people tied to the tracks. The person in control of the trolley must decide whether to do nothing and allow the trolley to continue on its path, resulting in the deaths of the five people, or to divert the trolley onto a separate track where only one person is tied, saving the five but sacrificing the one.
Through this hypothetical situation, Cathcart raises questions about the principles of utilitarianism and consequentialism, as well as the ethical considerations of sacrificing one life to save many. He also explores concepts such as moral responsibility, the value of individual lives, and the complexities of decision-making in morally ambiguous situations.
Ultimately, The Trolley Problem encourages readers to reflect on their own moral beliefs and values, challenging them to consider the difficult choices that may arise when faced with conflicting ethical considerations.
Chapter 4 Meet the Writer of The Trolley Problem

The author of "The Trolley Problem" is Judith Jarvis Thomson, an American philosopher who was born in 1929 and passed away in 2020. The book was first published in 1985.
Some of the other notable books written by Judith Jarvis Thomson include:
- "The Realm of Rights" (1990)
- "Goodness and Advice" (2001)
- "Normativity" (2008)
One of the most well-known and widely acclaimed books by Judith Jarvis Thomson is "The Realm of Rights." It has been praised for its in-depth exploration of ethical theory and its clear, accessible writing style.
Chapter 5 The Trolley Problem Meaning & Theme

The Trolley Problem Meaning

The trolley problem is a thought experiment in ethics that raises questions about moral dilemmas and the principles that guide decision-making. In the scenario, a runaway trolley is headed towards five people tied to a track, and the only way to save them is to pull a lever that diverts the trolley onto another track where only one person is tied. The question is whether it is morally permissible to take action to sacrifice one person to save five.
The trolley problem forces individuals to consider competing ethical principles, such as utilitarianism (maximizing overall happiness), deontological ethics (following moral rules), and the value of individual rights and autonomy. It challenges individuals to confront the complexity of moral decision-making and the trade-offs involved in choosing between competing moral imperatives.
Overall, the trolley problem raises important questions about the nature of ethics, the role of consequences in moral evaluation, and the difficulties of applying abstract moral principles to real-world dilemmas.
The Trolley Problem Theme

The main theme of "The Trolley Problem" by Thomas Cathcart is the ethical dilemma of making difficult and morally complex decisions. The story presents a scenario in which a person must choose between taking action that will result in the death of one person or inaction that will result in the deaths of multiple people. This moral dilemma forces the protagonist to confront their own values and beliefs, as well as grapple with the consequences of their actions. The story explores the idea of moral responsibility, the importance of considering the greater good, and the complexity of ethical decision-making. Ultimately, "The Trolley Problem" raises questions about the nature of moral reasoning and challenges readers to think critically about difficult ethical choices.
Chapter 6 Various Alternate Resources

1. Book: "The Trolley Problem, or Would You Throw the Fat Guy off the Bridge?" by Thomas Cathcart
2. Podcast episode: "Exploring The Trolley Problem with Thomas Cathcart" on The Ethics Institute at Kent Place School Podcast
3. Video: "The Trolley Problem Explained" featuring Thomas Cathcart on YouTube
4. Article: "The Trolley Problem and Moral Dilemmas in Everyday Life" by Thomas Cathcart on Psychology Today
5. Interview: "Thomas Cathcart on The Trolley Problem and Ethical Decision Making" on NPR
6. Blog post: "The Trolley Problem: A Philosophical Look" by Thomas Cathcart on Medium
7. Lecture: "Ethics and The Trolley Problem" presented by Thomas Cathcart at Harvard University
8. Q&A: "Discussing The Trolley Problem with Thomas Cathcart" on Quora
9. Social media post: "Delving into The Trolley Problem with Thomas Cathcart" on Twitter
10. Academic paper: "The Trolley Problem Revisited: Insights from Thomas Cathcart" in The Journal of Ethical Philosophy.
Chapter 7 Quotes of The Trolley Problem

The Trolley Problem quotes as follows:
1. "The Trolley Problem is a moral thought experiment that involves making a decision between two morally impermissible actions."
2. "The Trolley Problem forces us to confront the difficult moral choices we may face in everyday life."
3. "The Trolley Problem challenges our intuitions about right and wrong, and asks us to consider the consequences of our actions."
4. "The Trolley Problem raises important questions about the value of individual lives and the greater good."
5. "The Trolley Problem highlights the complexities of moral decision-making and the conflicts that arise when trying to do what is morally right."
6. "The Trolley Problem pushes us to think about the ethical implications of our actions and the moral dilemmas we may encounter."
7. "The Trolley Problem demonstrates the necessity of ethical reasoning and the difficult choices we may have to make in order to act morally."
8. "The Trolley Problem challenges us to consider the ethical principles that guide our decision-making and the consequences of our choices."
9. "The Trolley Problem emphasizes the importance of moral reasoning and the need to critically evaluate the consequences of our actions."
10. "The Trolley Problem forces us to confront our own moral beliefs and values, and to consider the ethical implications of our decisions in a real-life scenario."
Chapter 8 Books with a Similar Theme as The Trolley Problem

1. "The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values" by Sam Harris - This book explores the intersection of morality and science, delving into the question of how we can derive ethical values from empirical evidence.
2. "Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" by Michael J. Sandel - Sandel tackles complex moral dilemmas in this book, prompting readers to consider their own ethical beliefs and the principles that underlie them.
3. "Ethics in the Real World: 82 Brief Essays on Things That Matter" by Peter Singer - Singer offers a series of short essays that address a wide range of ethical issues, encouraging readers to think critically about their own values and actions.
4. "The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion" by Jonathan Haidt - Haidt explores the psychological foundations of morality in this thought-provoking book, shedding light on the ways in which our moral intuitions shape our beliefs and behaviors.
5. "Ethics for the Real World: Creating a Personal Code to Guide Decisions in Work and Life" by Ronald A. Howard and Clinton D. Korver - This practical guide offers strategies for making ethical decisions in everyday life, helping readers navigate moral dilemmas with clarity and confidence.