The ‘trolley problem/trolley car problem is a thought experiment involving ethical decisions, that was first proposed by Philippa Foot in her article “The Problem of Abortion and the Doctrine of the Double Effect” (1967). It has since that time been picked up by many other philosophers and ethical thinkers, as a great example of how we may think about our choices when it comes to life or death.

The situation starts simply enough — a trolley car (or tram) is running on some rails, with two paths it could take, according to how a switch is pulled.

However, the trolley car’s brakes are broken, and it is heading towards one track, where five people are crossing. On the other track, just one person is crossing. 

If you were able to pull the switch that could change the direction that the trolley car is taking — would you do so and save the five people — and just hit one person? Or, by doing nothing, allow the five people to be hit?

The reasons people give for their decision vary a great deal - and research has been done into whether career choice might correlate with certain choices. Another additional variation has the trolley car about to hit a group of people — unless you push a larger person into the path instead. Does that change the kind of decision you make, and why?