Analysis Of The Rail Switch Dilemma

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In the essay the “train switch dilemma” a single train car is rushing toward a group of five unknowing workers who cannot hear the train approaching. Another train worker (Alex) who is working at his summer job sees the train headed for the five workers but notices a rail switch which if pulled will divert the train to a different track, however if the rail switch lever is pulled it will kill the lone person working there. The rail switch presents the following moral dilemma: do nothing and five people die, or flip the switch and one person dies. In this essay, I will show why Alex should not pull the rail switch lever; that by doing so would be morally wrong. Making a choice that results in the intentional killing of one person is not the …show more content…

What are Morals? Do they differ from Ethics? What are Ethics? Let us start with Morals; Morality is about making correct choices. Morality is about making good choices or decisions. However, Ethics are different; they are about proper reasoning and conduct. What makes the decision right or a person good? Are we born with morals and ethics or are they taught? I believe that we are taught right from wrong and that our belief systems help define what is right or wrong. My culture is different from someone else’s, so what is morally wrong for me may not be morally wrong for another. For the Train Dilemma I will discuss why I believe it is wrong for Alex to pull the rail switch …show more content…

If an action can pass the Categorical Imperative, then it is a good choice. According to Kant, “The general idea behind the Categorical Imperative is that you should not act on motives that you would not want to be universal law… so in essence, you should not do what you would not want others to do…” (Philosophyfactory par. 4). In other words, would you always choose the greater good over the one (to pull the rail switch lever)? On the other hand, as I am suggesting what Alex should do, (not pull the rail switch lever) choose the value of one over choosing to kill and end a life. The choice that Alex is facing is about the choosing to end a life by pulling the rail switch lever vs doing nothing and allowing fate to play out which in the end would result in the train killing five

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