What is the name of the thought experiment in which a person must decide whether to divert a runaway train to kill one person instead of five?
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The Trolley Problem
First introduced by Philippa Foot in 1967, this experiment is used to explore dilemmas in ethics and utilitarianism. It has recently gained new relevance in the programming of self-driving cars.
Also asked as:
- What ethical dilemma involves choosing whether to kill one person by switching the tracks of an out-of-control rail vehicle to save five others?