Choice, reason, outcome. From these three, we get the tree of possibilities and its many realities. This blog will explore some of its branches, focusing on the human condition and occasionally, my view on current events. The first post will cover one of my favourite thought experiments in ethics - the trolley problem. The original problem has a clear answer, so not as interesting. This is my version of the ethical dilemma. 

Stochastic trolley problem

There is a runaway trolley barreling down the railway tracks. Ahead, on the tracks, there are five people tied up and unable to move. The trolley is headed straight for them. You are standing some distance off in the train yard, next to a lever. The lever keeps switching the tracks back and forth randomly and could lead the trolley to any of the two tracks. If you pull this lever, the trolley will switch permanently to a different set of tracks, the ones without the five people. However, you notice that there is one person on this side track. You have two (and only two) options:

1. Do nothing, in which case the trolley will kill either the five people on the main track or the one person.

2. Pull the lever, diverting the trolley onto the side track where it will kill only one person.

Which is the more ethical option? Or, more simply: What is the right thing to do?

However, when you think about it, even in this scenario, we have a clear choice.