The trolley problem dilemma is a well-known psychological study of morality that depicts a hypothetical circumstance in which an individual must choose between two ethically tricky options. The trolley problem situation is applicable in day-to-day life because, most of the time, we are caught up in making critical decisions from various dilemmas (Matthews, 2020). Imagine a trolley is losing control, and you are supposed to make a decision either to direct the trolley toward destroying “A Manuscript with Nine Forgotten Plays by Shake Sphere” or destroy “Enough Food to Feed All The Starving Kids on the Earth.” The essay will analyze the two spins by answering the question of what the right thing to do is, either from a utilitarian or Kantian perspective (Matthews, 2020).
According to the moral-ethical theory of utilitarianism, an action’s moral worth is determined by how well it can increase overall happiness and lessen pain or suffering. From this vantage point, a deed is morally right if it results in the greatest happiness for the largest population. On the other hand, Kantianism emphasizes the universality of moral principles and the significance of acting morally and with respect for the law. According to Kant, an action is morally right if it is carried out of a sense of duty that applies to all rational beings rather than for one’s benefit or pleasure (O’Neill, 1985). The paper will argue that the most effective approach to this problem is from both utilitarian and Kantian perspectives.
Spin Results in One and Two and Their Implications
Spin Result One – Choosing to destroy the manuscript:
The stakes of pulling the lever are substantially raised by the first spin result, which discloses the existence of Shakespeare’s “A Manuscript with Nine Forgotten Plays.” Applying the Utilitarian Perspective to Spin Result One, sacrificing the manuscript prioritizes acts that seek to promote overall satisfaction or pleasure. The morally correct course of action is the one that maximizes well-being for all, according to utilitarianism. Because the protection of human life is an essential utilitarian ethical value, the sacrifice of the text in the trolley problem may be acceptable.
The implications of utilitarian analysis highlight the importance of the greater good over particular cultural or individual interests. The ultimate objective of utilitarianism, which places a strong emphasis on individual well-being, is the preservation of human life. In this ethical calculation, the potential benefits of saving lives are assessed in terms of their potential to increase happiness as a whole (Matthews, 2020). The acknowledgment of the cultural harm caused by the manuscript’s destruction also reflects utilitarian ethics ‘requirement to weigh these harms against the more significant benefit brought about by life preservation (West et al., 2023). In order to achieve the most significant overall good for the most significant number of people, this utilitarian perspective necessitates a complex ethical calculation in which it is determined that the sacrifice of an artifact of culture is acceptable in exchange for an overall increase in happiness.
Spin Two: “Enough Food to Feed All the Starving Kids on Earth.”
From a Kantian perspective, the right thing to do would be not to destroy either the manuscript or the food. Immanuel Kant’s philosophy serves as the foundation for the Kantian Perspective, which applies to Spin Result Two of choosing to destroy the food. According to Kantian Ethics, moral behavior should be motivated by a sense of obligation and universal values (Matthews, 2020). In this particular case, it could be argued that destroying the manuscript violates Kantian ethics ‘requirement to preserve cultural artifacts. On the other hand, it is believed that giving up food is in line with a responsibility to preserve life, highlighting the importance of moral obligations based on universal principles.
The Kantian analysis has two implications. First, duty and moral principles are emphatically emphasized as the guiding principles in ethical decision-making. A consequentialist perspective is rejected by Kuantan Ethics, which places more emphasis on the intrinsic value of upholding one’s moral obligations (O’Neill, 1985). Second, it becomes possible for duties to conflict, necessitating careful thought (O’Neill, 1985). The conflict between the obligations to protect life and cultural artifacts in the given conundrum creates complexity that necessitates a complex and principled solution. Moral obligations are thoughtfully examined in Kantian Ethics, which emphasizes the value of upholding universal principles even when duties appear to conflict.
Which Option is the “prima facie duty” and “The Good”?
Recognizing the veracity of both viewpoints allows for a nuanced and balanced approach in this complex ethical situation where both the utilitarian and the Kantian perspectives present compelling arguments. In this context, the prima facie duty manifests as a harmonious synthesis of Kantian commitment to universal principles and utilitarian emphasis on overall happiness. The prima facie obligation, in this case, includes carefully balancing the relevance of both saving cultural items and preserving human life (O’Neill, 1985). Prioritizing human life preservation as a fundamental obligation is consistent with the pursuit of the greatest good generally and stresses the critical role that human well-being plays. A Kantian approach accepts the obligation of not harming either the manuscript or the food in order to protect universal ideals.
The decision, which reflects both Kantian and utilitarian values, embodies “The Good” since it seeks to find a comprehensive approach that respects and protects both cultural heritage and human life; in this context, human existence comes first(West et al.,2023). The combination preserves broad standards while acknowledging the complex interplay between consequentialist and duty-based ethical frameworks. It makes no exceptions for any decision that advances prosperity in general. Therefore, the chosen strategy reflects a commitment to a thorough understanding of “The Good,” recognizing the value of human life in the moral balance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the trolley problem dilemma serves as a potent metaphor for the complexity we face in daily decision-making by vividly evoking moral dilemmas where one must choose between ethically tricky options. The scenario is used as a lens to examine the utilitarian and Kantian perspectives because it involves the potential destruction of Shakespeare’s manuscript or enough food to feed all starving children. The utilitarian method suggests sacrificing the manuscript in order to better preserve human lives by emphasizing the maximization of overall happiness. The Kantian position, on the other hand, presents a conundrum where both cultural preservation and human life are in jeopardy because it is based on universal principles and obligations.
The analysis explores each spin result’s implications and emphasizes the complex ethical calculations needed from both angles. A prima facie duty that strikes a harmonious balance between the preservation of cultural heritage and the fundamental duty to protect human life is created when utilitarian and Kantian values are combined. This choice acknowledges the intricate interaction between consequentialist and duty-based ethical frameworks and represents a commitment to “The Good.” In conclusion, the chosen approach promotes a holistic approach to ethical decision-making while respecting cultural heritage and prioritizing human life. It also embodies an all-encompassing understanding of “The Good.”
Reference
Matthews, G.W. (2020). Philosophical Ethics. A guidebook for beginners. https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/927Links
O’Neill. (1985). “A Simplified Account of Kant’s Ethics.” Excerpted in J.E. White (ed.), Contemporary Moral Problems. St. Paul, MN: West Publishing Co. https://laurenralpert.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/oneill-a-simplified-account-of-kants-ethics.pdf
West, H. R. and Duignan, Brian (2023, August 17). Utilitarianism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/utilitarianism-philosophy
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