In the Loop Variant of the Trolley Problem

The situation is modified such that there is no longer a direct choice between one life and five. Instead, the trolley is headed towards a loop where one person is tied to the tracks on one side, and five people are tied to the tracks on the other side. However, the loop is designed such that if the trolley continues straight, it will derail and kill everyone on board. The only way to save the passengers is to steer the trolley onto the loop, which will cause the death of the one person tied to the tracks on that side.

This variant adds another layer of complexity to the moral dilemma. On one hand, the utilitarian view would argue that steering the trolley onto the loop is the correct choice, as it saves the greater number of lives. On the other hand, the deontological view would argue that intentionally causing harm to an innocent person is always wrong, regardless of the consequences. Similarly, the virtue ethics perspective would consider the character of the decision-maker and their motives in making the choice.

The Role of Agency

One interesting aspect of the Loop Variant is the role of agency. In the original Trolley Problem, the decision-maker has direct agency in causing harm. In the Loop Variant, the decision-maker technically does not cause harm directly, but instead allows harm to occur through inaction. This raises questions about the responsibility of the decision-maker in these types of situations.

Overall, the Loop Variant presents a complex ethical dilemma that challenges our intuitions about the value of human life and the role of agency in moral decision making.

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