Exploring the Trolley Problem
Virtue ethics is a normative ethical theory that emphasizes the development of good character traits and the cultivation of moral virtues. In the context of the Trolley Problem, this means focusing on the character of the person making the decision rather than the consequences of their action.
For example, a virtue ethicist may argue that in the original Trolley Problem scenario, the morally right action would be to do nothing and not pull the lever. This is because pulling the lever to divert the trolley onto a different track would involve actively choosing to kill someone, which goes against the virtues of compassion and respect for human life. In this case, the virtue ethicist would argue that the right thing to do is to let the situation play out and not take an active role in the outcome.
However, some virtue ethicists may argue that in certain scenarios, it is necessary to take action to prevent harm. For example, in the Fat Man variant of the Trolley Problem, where pushing a fat man onto the tracks would stop the trolley, a virtue ethicist may argue that the morally right action would be to push the fat man, as this action would save more lives and align with the virtue of courage.
Overall, virtue ethics offers a unique perspective on the Trolley Problem, emphasizing the importance of character and moral virtues in making ethical decisions.
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