The Situation: Imagine a situation where a villain (complete with twisting the handlebar mustache and laughing –Bwah-ha-ha) has set a large trolley rolling down the track from the top of a steep hill. Halfway down the hill you are at a switch that has the ability to change the direction of the trolley onto a second track. If the trolley is left on its current path, it will roll down the hill and kill 5 people who are innocently tied to the tracks. These people will not be able to untie themselves and can never get out of the way in time (oh-no!). However, if you take action and switch the trolley onto the alternative track, the five people will be saved, yet the trolley will run down a single person who has been tied to other track.

Directions:
Describe the ethical reasoning behind your argument for either switching the trolley to a new track or letting it pass by, killing all 5 people tied to the track.

To do this you must choose one of the Moral Theories regarding ethics from our text and this week’s lecture to guide your choice:
Utilitarianism
Deontology
Virtue Ethics
Make note that you will be making a moral argument that explains your reasoning and the ethical theory that guides you and your decision. In the end you should have:
Described the critical reasoning behind the decision you have made.
Identified the major ethical theory that guides this decision.
Demonstrated why this theory applies to your action.
Explored the ramifications of the choice you have made.