What is the "trolley problem" used to explore in ethics?

The "trolley problem" serves as a thought experiment that delves into moral dilemmas related to decision-making and the intrinsic value of human lives. In this classic scenario, individuals are faced with a choice that involves significant ethical implications: a runaway trolley is heading towards a group of people, and the decision-maker can either pull a lever to redirect the trolley, resulting in the death of one person on another track, or do nothing and allow the trolley to kill multiple individuals. This situation stimulates deep reflection on the moral principles underlying actions, highlighting the complexities of utilitarian ethics versus deontological ethics.

By presenting such a stark choice, the trolley problem encourages individuals to evaluate their moral priorities and the criteria they use to justify their decisions. It raises profound questions about the value of individuals' lives, the weighing of the greater good against individual rights, and the ethical frameworks that guide human behavior in life-and-death situations. This thought experiment has thus become a pivotal discussion point in moral philosophy, particularly in fields such as ethics, psychology, and public policy.