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The Trolley Problem and Moral Dilemmas

Description: This quiz explores the Trolley Problem and other moral dilemmas, challenging you to make difficult choices and consider the ethical implications of your decisions.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: ethics philosophy moral dilemmas trolley problem
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You are the driver of a runaway trolley headed toward five people tied to the tracks. You can pull a lever to divert the trolley onto a side track, where it will kill one person instead of five. Do you pull the lever?

  1. Yes, pull the lever to save five lives.

  2. No, do not pull the lever and let the five people die.

  3. It depends on the characteristics of the people involved.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In this classic Trolley Problem scenario, the majority of people believe it is morally permissible to pull the lever and save five lives, even if it means sacrificing one person.

You are a surgeon faced with two patients, both in need of organ transplants. One patient needs a heart, the other needs a kidney. You only have one donor organ available. Who do you give the organ to?

  1. Give the organ to the patient who needs a heart.

  2. Give the organ to the patient who needs a kidney.

  3. Flip a coin to decide who gets the organ.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In this scenario, the patient who needs a heart is more likely to die without the transplant, so it is generally considered morally permissible to give them the organ, even if it means the other patient will not receive a transplant.

You are a lifeguard and see two people drowning in a river. You can only save one of them. One person is a strong swimmer, while the other is a weak swimmer. Who do you save?

  1. Save the strong swimmer.

  2. Save the weak swimmer.

  3. Flip a coin to decide who to save.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

In this scenario, the weak swimmer is more likely to drown without your help, so it is generally considered morally permissible to save them, even if it means the strong swimmer may also drown.

You are a soldier in a war and are ordered to kill an enemy combatant. You know that killing this person is wrong, but you will be punished if you refuse. What do you do?

  1. Kill the enemy combatant.

  2. Refuse to kill the enemy combatant and accept the punishment.

  3. Try to find a way to avoid killing the enemy combatant without disobeying orders.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a way to avoid killing the enemy combatant, even if it means disobeying orders, as killing an innocent person is wrong.

You are a scientist working on a cure for a deadly disease. You have a limited amount of resources and must decide whether to focus on developing a cure that will benefit a small group of people or a cure that will benefit a large group of people. Which cure do you focus on?

  1. Focus on developing a cure that will benefit a small group of people.

  2. Focus on developing a cure that will benefit a large group of people.

  3. Flip a coin to decide which cure to focus on.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to focus on developing a cure that will benefit a large group of people, as this will save more lives overall.

You are a politician and must decide whether to support a policy that will benefit your constituents but harm people in other parts of the country. Do you support the policy?

  1. Support the policy.

  2. Do not support the policy.

  3. Try to find a compromise that benefits both your constituents and people in other parts of the country.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that benefits both your constituents and people in other parts of the country, as it is wrong to harm others for your own benefit.

You are a doctor and must decide whether to tell a patient they have a terminal illness. The patient has a right to know their diagnosis, but telling them may cause them great distress. What do you do?

  1. Tell the patient they have a terminal illness.

  2. Do not tell the patient they have a terminal illness.

  3. Try to find a way to tell the patient their diagnosis in a way that minimizes their distress.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a way to tell the patient their diagnosis in a way that minimizes their distress, as it is important to respect their right to know their diagnosis while also minimizing their suffering.

You are a parent and must decide whether to allow your child to participate in a dangerous activity, such as rock climbing or skydiving. You know that the activity is dangerous, but you also know that your child wants to do it. What do you do?

  1. Allow your child to participate in the activity.

  2. Do not allow your child to participate in the activity.

  3. Try to find a compromise that allows your child to participate in the activity in a safer way.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that allows your child to participate in the activity in a safer way, as it is important to respect their autonomy while also protecting them from harm.

You are a teacher and must decide whether to fail a student who has cheated on an exam. You know that cheating is wrong, but you also know that the student is struggling and may not be able to pass the class if they fail the exam. What do you do?

  1. Fail the student.

  2. Do not fail the student.

  3. Try to find a compromise that allows the student to pass the class without condoning cheating.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that allows the student to pass the class without condoning cheating, as it is important to balance the need to uphold academic integrity with the need to help students succeed.

You are a business owner and must decide whether to lay off some of your employees in order to save money. You know that laying off employees will cause them financial hardship, but you also know that the company will not be able to survive if you do not lay off employees. What do you do?

  1. Lay off the employees.

  2. Do not lay off the employees.

  3. Try to find a compromise that allows you to save money without laying off employees.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that allows you to save money without laying off employees, as it is important to balance the need to run a profitable business with the need to protect the livelihoods of your employees.

You are a doctor and must decide whether to perform an abortion on a patient who does not want to have a child. You know that abortion is a controversial issue, but you also know that the patient has a right to make decisions about their own body. What do you do?

  1. Perform the abortion.

  2. Do not perform the abortion.

  3. Try to find a compromise that allows the patient to make a decision about their own body without violating your own moral beliefs.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that allows the patient to make a decision about their own body without violating your own moral beliefs, as it is important to respect the patient's autonomy while also upholding your own moral values.

You are a scientist and must decide whether to conduct research on a new technology that could have potentially harmful consequences. You know that the research could lead to important discoveries, but you also know that it could also lead to unintended consequences. What do you do?

  1. Conduct the research.

  2. Do not conduct the research.

  3. Try to find a compromise that allows you to conduct the research in a way that minimizes the potential for harm.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that allows you to conduct the research in a way that minimizes the potential for harm, as it is important to balance the need for scientific progress with the need to protect people from harm.

You are a politician and must decide whether to support a policy that will benefit your constituents but harm people in other countries. Do you support the policy?

  1. Support the policy.

  2. Do not support the policy.

  3. Try to find a compromise that benefits both your constituents and people in other countries.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that benefits both your constituents and people in other countries, as it is wrong to harm others for your own benefit.

You are a doctor and must decide whether to prescribe a new drug to a patient that has potentially serious side effects. You know that the drug could help the patient, but you also know that it could also cause them harm. What do you do?

  1. Prescribe the drug.

  2. Do not prescribe the drug.

  3. Try to find a compromise that allows you to prescribe the drug in a way that minimizes the potential for harm.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that allows you to prescribe the drug in a way that minimizes the potential for harm, as it is important to balance the need to help the patient with the need to protect them from harm.

You are a scientist and must decide whether to publish your research findings, even though you know that they could be used for harmful purposes. You know that your research could lead to important discoveries, but you also know that it could also be used to develop new weapons or other dangerous technologies. What do you do?

  1. Publish your research findings.

  2. Do not publish your research findings.

  3. Try to find a compromise that allows you to publish your research findings in a way that minimizes the potential for harm.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

In this scenario, it is generally considered morally permissible to try to find a compromise that allows you to publish your research findings in a way that minimizes the potential for harm, as it is important to balance the need for scientific progress with the need to protect people from harm.

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