TED-ED: Would you sacrifice one person to save five? - Eleanor Nelsen

The video explores the trolley problem, an ethical dilemma introduced by Philippa Foot, where one must choose between sacrificing one person to save five. It discusses the utilitarian perspective, which favors the action that maximizes well-being for the majority. The video also examines a variation of the problem involving a bridge, highlighting the emotional and psychological factors influencing moral decisions. Criticisms of the problem's realism are addressed, and its relevance to modern technology, such as autonomous vehicles and military drones, is discussed. The video emphasizes the importance of programming ethics into machines.

What is the main ethical dilemma presented in the trolley problem?

How do utilitarian principles apply to the trolley problem?

What factors influence people's decisions in the bridge version of the trolley problem?

Why do some people find pushing a man off the bridge morally different from flipping the switch?

What implications does the trolley problem have for autonomous systems and ethical programming?