The Trolley Problem dates back to over half a century ago. 

Oh no! A runaway train is coming your way. You are able to get out of the way, but three other, unknowing people up the track are about to get hit, and you cannot warn them in time. To your left you see a lever, which can divert the train to another track where only one person is in danger. What do you do? 

The answer seems clear: divert the train to save the lives of three people at the cost of one. However, closer examination reveals  that it may not be so obvious. The one person might be a close relative, a violent criminal or a doctor on the verge of a cancer cure.

This is the famous Trolley Problem. It has many variations, but at its  core this philosophical riddle seeks to answer these questions: 

• If given the opportunity, would you change the route of the trolley to save more people?
• Do the specific people involved affect your answer?
• Is the morality of decisions determined by their outcomes, or by the means with which they are carried out. 

My answer? Do not pull the lever.

The Utilitarianist mindset says yes, pull the lever. They argue that this creates fewer consequences than letting the trolley continue; one person dies instead of three. However, if you divert the  trolley the death of the person on the other side is a result of a conscious choice you make. You would be responsible for the loss of life, and the remaining three people would share in your guilt. 

Utilitarianist ideals prioritize the “greater good,” or the outcome, over the means. However, another thought doctrine, Deontology, argues that actions are inherently good or bad, regardless of consequences. Pulling the lever to divert the train could be interpreted as morally incorrect because it is a conscious choice to sacrifice another person, even though it may save more lives. Some argue that inaction is just as morally incorrect as interference, yet, as mentioned previously, results lack value if they are achieved through incorrect action.

 With many different schools of thought, each person can have an opinion that aligns with their personal values. It is best to leave the lever to reduce the number of guilty parties, avoid a more personal loss and maintain your integrity. Regardless of individual opinions, the Trolley Problem gives us great insight into human tendencies and morals.