The Train Dilemma: When no Choice is a Good One!

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Decision making is an important process in our everyday lives. Typically, these decisions are centered around what to wear for school/work, what to eat for lunch or dinner, or even which route to take because of high traffic areas. Fortunately for us, we can make such decisions without investing much thought. There are, on the other hand, decisions that create an ethical dilemma, in which the outcome has varying degrees or consequences for all. In these complex situations, our values and morals guide our decision-making process as the pros and cons are weighed. “By acknowledging edging that this consequence is a reason, we show that we are committed to the claim that consequences of our actions are morally relevant” (LaFollette, 2007).

Below are three scenarios that are designed to create an ethical dilemma. For this week’s assignment, we are to: Consider the following ethical dilemma and create a reflection blog regarding what you would do when having to make a choice in each train scenario. Justify your position and create a synopsis of your position and the implications. 

Train Dilemma  

Scenario One: A train is hurtling down the track where five children are standing. You are the switch person. By throwing the switch, you can put the train on a side track where one child is standing. Will you throw the switch? (Source: Thomas Anderson, Case Western Reserve University)

Being placed in any situation in which lives are in jeopardy, one is forced to weigh many factors. These factors involve our morals and values. In doing so, understanding that tragedy is inevitable, I would strongly lean towards trying to prevent or mitigate the amount of tragedy by deciding to save more lives at the expense of one. Aside from the emotional cost of sacrificing another human being (especially a child), the decision to save many more is relatively easier.

Scenario Two: (Same scenario except) You are standing next to an elderly man. If you push him in front of the train it will stop the train and all the children will be saved. Will you push him?

Absolutely! Although my natural inclination is to preserve life, again, knowing that tragedy is inevitable, more lives would be preserved by the loss of a few (or one in this case). I believe there may be another alternative to this scenario that includes sacrificing myself to stop the train. Obviously, the children’s lives are in jeopardy, nowhere in this scenario is the elderly man’s life in jeopardy until I determined his life is deemed “tradeable.” It would be difficult for anyone to claim that “no matter what,” they would save others at their own expense (life). In fact, these situations are rare, but they do exist.

Scenario Three: (Same scenario except) The one child on the side track is your child. Will you throw the switch to save the five children?

I feel confident saying that any parent’s purpose in life is to ensure the safety and well-being of their children. Thus, trading the live of your own child to save others (non-family) may be contrary to our very own preservation. In this case, I would not sacrifice my own child to save the other children. Reflecting on this decision, I believe it comes down to being able to live with such a decision and know that the “best” decision was made. I also acknowledge that this perspective is my own and may look different from other points of view. Nevertheless, I believe that any one whom ensure the safety of their child would feel the same regardless of other perspectives.

Summary

As a former military leader (and even now), I expected and did my best to prepare for difficult and complex situations causing ethical dilemmas. Though one can rarely prepare for all unthinkable scenarios, understanding my own values and morals made my decision-making more responsive and centered around the greater good. “To make better choices, we must become aware of our options and the relevant background information; we should identify the consequences of our actions for others, for ourselves, and for the people we will become” (LaFollette, 2007).

Reference

LaFollette, H. (2007). The Practice of Ethics. Kindle Edition.