⚖️Understand the Trolley Problem
Walk through every major trolley problem variant and the ethical theory each one stress-tests, then design your own dilemma that isolates a single moral factor.
Phase 1Meet the Dilemma
Meet the dilemma that broke moral philosophy
Five lives or one — and you're holding the switch
6 minFive lives or one — and you're holding the switch
This isn't a brain teaser — it's a diagnostic tool
6 minThis isn't a brain teaser — it's a diagnostic tool
Intended harm and side-effect harm feel different — and that's the clue
7 minIntended harm and side-effect harm feel different — and that's the clue
Your moral gut isn't random — it's a map waiting to be read
7 minYour moral gut isn't random — it's a map waiting to be read
Phase 2Variants That Shift Your Intuitions
Five variants that expose your hidden moral wiring
Same math, different hands — and suddenly you hesitate
7 minSame math, different hands — and suddenly you hesitate
One small change to the tracks and your principle unravels
7 minOne small change to the tracks and your principle unravels
Make the victim guilty and watch your morals shift again
6 minMake the victim guilty and watch your morals shift again
A surgeon, five patients, one healthy visitor — would you?
7 minA surgeon, five patients, one healthy visitor — would you?
The trolley problem is now a product spec
7 minThe trolley problem is now a product spec
Phase 3Three Frameworks, One Trolley
Utilitarians, Kantians, and virtue ethicists walk into a trolley
The calculator says pull — but the calculator has blind spots
7 minThe calculator says pull — but the calculator has blind spots
Kant says never use a person as a mere tool — even to save five
7 minKant says never use a person as a mere tool — even to save five
Aristotle doesn't ask what to do — he asks who you want to be
7 minAristotle doesn't ask what to do — he asks who you want to be
Three frameworks walk into a dilemma — and none walks out clean
8 minThree frameworks walk into a dilemma — and none walks out clean
Phase 4Design Your Own Dilemma
Design a dilemma that isolates one moral factor
Build a trolley variant that isolates one moral factor
8 minBuild a trolley variant that isolates one moral factor
Frequently asked questions
- Who invented the trolley problem?
- This is covered in the “Understand the Trolley Problem” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- Is there a right answer to the trolley problem?
- This is covered in the “Understand the Trolley Problem” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- What is the doctrine of double effect?
- This is covered in the “Understand the Trolley Problem” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- How does the footbridge case change the ethics?
- This is covered in the “Understand the Trolley Problem” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- Why is the trolley problem relevant to self-driving cars?
- This is covered in the “Understand the Trolley Problem” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
Related paths
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🏛️Learn the Free Will Debate
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🏛️Learn Aristotle's Virtue Ethics
Turn Aristotle's ethics from a list of noble traits into a working life project. By the end, you'll audit your own character, pick one virtue to habituate, and design a two-week practice plan.