Description
Topic:
Writer's Choice
Paper Details:
The Mid-term essay is a five-paragraph essay written in APA format in about two to three pages, NOT including the title and references pages, at approximately (1000 words) long.
As usual, I’ll evaluate your papers mainly by the following criteria:
an understanding of the assigned material
originality of your ideas,
development of thoughts, and
style of writing.
Edward is taking his daily walk near the train tracks when he notices that the train that is approaching is out of control. Edward sees what has happened: the train driver saw five workmen ahead on the tracks and slammed on the brakes, but the brakes failed, and the driver fainted. The train is now rushing toward the five men; the banks are so steep that they will not be able to get off the track in time. Fortunately, Edward is standing next to a switch, which he can throw, that will turn the train onto a sidetrack. Unfortunately, there is one person standing on the sidetrack with his back turned. Edward can throw the switch, killing the one, or he can refrain from doing this, letting the five die. Remember, Edward did not build the train, nor is he responsible for its current predicament. However, if he pulls the switch, he is both intervening and making a judgment regarding human value. Take this into account when writing your essay. There is a reason this is considered a “moral dilemma.”
Incorporating what you have learned from ethics, answer the following questions.
1. “Is it morally permissible for Edward to throw the switch?”
2. Would a Utilitarian agree? Why?
3. Would a Kantian agree? Why?
4. What do you believe is the best option “What is The Good?” Why?
Explanation & Answer
Attached.
1
Ethics Case Study
Name of Author
Affiliation of Author
Course Number
Instructor’s Name
Assignment Due Date
2
Ethics Case Study
In ethics, a moral dilemma occurs when there is a conflict of moral values regardless of
the decision one makes. It offers two or more options needing a decision, yet one has a moral
reason to choose or ignore both. Approaches like utilitarianism and Kantian views can help make
an ethical decision. A utilitarian would agree with throwing the switch as it would save more
lives. A Kantian would also agree because saving the lives of five people over one is rational.
Ultimately, it is hard to know which decision is good, and sometimes it is better not to make a
decision. In the rights approach of ethics, one should not be compelled to decide in a moral
dilemma they did not cause. Whereas there is no ultimate right when handling ethical dilemmas,
a comparative assessment of the Kantian and Utilitarian principles and relating them to
individual judgments of the train dilemma case study answers the question of the morally
permissible and the "good" decision to make in the train dilemma by applying various ethical
principles and approaches.
Train Dilemma
The train dilemma case involves the case of Edward, who, through his daily walks along
the rail tracks, notices a train approaching out of control. The train driver fainted upon seeing
five male workers on the rail, and the train’s brakes failed after braking. As the train rushes
towards the five men, Edward realizes that he could use the switch next to him to divert the train
away from the track, but the train would then kill one man standing on the sidetrack, unaware of
the train’s approach. Additional information in the case is that Edward is not responsible for the
current eventualities as he did not build the train or participate in the unfortunate positioning of
the men on the male tracks. His decision to pull or not pull the switch reflects his judgment of
human values and constitutes a moral dilemma. The core element of the dilemma is that
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Edward’s actions would either save five people from ultimate death while causing the death of
one, or his inaction would lead to the death of the five people and the salvation of one individual.
Although Edward wou...
