A runaway train is speeding down a track. There are five people tied to the trac

Question

A runaway train is speeding down a track. There are five people tied to the track in the train’s path. If the train isn’t stopped, the five people will for sure die.  You are there near the train, and you happen to see a switch: if you flip the switch, the train will go down a different track and you will save the five people. Unfortunately, if you do so – one person will still die as there is one person also tied to that alternate track.

What is the morally right thing to do (according to the moral theories discussed in class?). Construct an argument.

That is, when you answer the question, support your view with the help from one of the moral theories of your choice.

Explanation / Answer

Based on the normative ethics, of Utilitarianism; where a moral action is one that maximizes utility, or happiness, for the greatest number of people. Hence based on this concept of Utilitarianism; I will flip the switch so that the train will go down a different track and I will save the five people even if the tradeoff is; killing one person as at least five people are going to be saved.  

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