FAQ About Philippa Foot
What is the trolley problem, and what does it illustrate?
The trolley problem is a thought experiment devised by Philippa Foot to explore ethical dilemmas. It presents a scenario where a runaway trolley is headed towards five people tied up on the tracks, and an observer can pull a lever to switch the trolley onto another track where it will hit one person instead. The problem highlights conflicts between utilitarian ethics (saving the greatest number) and deontological ethics (respecting moral rules).
