This is a thought problem. There are only 2 answers, if you try to answer anything else (like 'stop the train') I'll just delete your post.
1
You're driving a train. Before you on the track, you see a person. The only way to avoid hitting him is to change tracks. Unfortunately, there is another person on the turn. So there are two options:
- Do nothing and kill somebody
- Turn and kill somebody
What do you choose? Why? Does it make a difference whether you actively kill somebody or if you let somebody die?
2
Same situation, except the person in front of you is a child and the person on the other tracks is old. Do you:
- Do nothing and kill a child
- Turn and kill the old person
What do you choose? Why? Does it make a difference whether you actively kill an old person, compared to letting a young person die? Or do you make the decision that gives greater utility (overall happiness)?
3
This is more unrealistic, but bear with it. In front of you there's 1,000,000 people. On the other track is 50,000 people, and yourself. Do you:
- Do nothing and kill 1,000,000 people?
- Turn and kill 50,000 people and yourself?
What do you choose? Why?
I'm interested in seeing the answers. This relates to another proble that I will post later.