Lecture 13 Flashcards
What is a thought experiment?
A hypothetical scenario used to explore ethical concepts and dilemmas in order to test moral intuitions and decision-making
Why are thought experiments important in bioethics?
They allow us to analyze complex ethical issues without needing to experiment in real life, which may be impossible or unethical
What is the Trolley Problem?
A classic thought experiment where a person must decide whether to divert a runaway trolley onto a track that will kill one person instead of five others
What ethical dilemma does the Trolley Problem present?
It forces a choice between utilitarianism (maximizing the number of lives saved) and deontological ethics (following moral duties regardless of the outcome)
What does the Trolley Problem test?
It tests our intuitions about the value of individual lives, the permissibility of sacrificing one life for many, and the role of personal agency in moral decision-making
How would a utilitarian approach the Trolley Problem?
A utilitarian would likely divert the trolley, sacrificing one life to save five, as it maximizes overall happiness or minimizes suffering
What is a criticism of the utilitarian solution to the Trolley Problem?
It could justify harmful actions (e.g., killing someone) if the outcome is deemed beneficial, potentially violating individual rights
What is a key strength of utilitarianism in the Trolley Problem?
It provides a clear, outcome-based decision-making process focused on minimizing harm
How would a deontologist approach the Trolley Problem?
A deontologist would likely refuse to divert the trolley, believing it’s morally wrong to intentionally cause harm, even if it saves more lives
What is a criticism of the deontological response to the Trolley Problem?
It could result in the unnecessary deaths of more people by not acting to minimize harm
What is a key strength of deontology in the Trolley Problem?
It emphasizes moral duties, such as not intentionally causing harm, and maintains individual rights and respect for persons
What is the “Fat Man” variation of the Trolley Problem?
This variation involves a person deciding whether to push a large man off a bridge to stop the trolley and save five people
How does the “Fat Man” variation differ from the original Trolley Problem?
It introduces a more direct action (pushing a person) rather than just diverting the trolley, raising additional moral concerns about using people as means to an end
What does the “Fat Man” variation test in ethical reasoning?
It tests the difference between indirect harm (diverting the trolley) and direct harm (pushing someone), challenging the boundary between permissible actions
What is the “Ship of Theseus” thought experiment?
It explores identity and change, asking if a ship that has all its parts replaced is still the same ship
How is the “Ship of Theseus” relevant to bioethics?
It raises questions about identity, continuity, and personal autonomy in scenarios involving organ transplants, genetic modification, or identity alteration
What is the “Experience Machine” thought experiment?
Proposed by Robert Nozick, it asks if one would choose to plug into a machine that provides endless pleasurable experiences, even though they’re not real
What does the “Experience Machine” challenge in ethical decision-making?
It challenges the value of authentic experience versus artificial happiness and questions what truly constitutes a meaningful life
How do thought experiments help in real-life ethical decision-making?
They help us clarify our moral principles, examine different perspectives, and prepare for complex dilemmas by applying ethical theories in hypothetical contexts
How does the Trolley Problem relate to bioethics?
It mirrors real-world decisions in medicine, such as allocating scarce resources (e.g., ventilators, organ transplants) where life-or-death choices must be made
What is a key lesson learned from thought experiments like the Trolley Problem?
Ethical decision-making often involves trade-offs and requires balancing moral principles like maximizing well-being and respecting individual rights
