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Comparing Ethical Frameworks: Dilemma Example
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Ethical dilemmas present complex challenges that often yield different outcomes when viewed through the lenses of various moral frameworks. The trolley problem, a classic thought experiment in ethics, serves as a prime example of how virtue ethics, duty-based ethics (deontology), and consequentialism can lead to divergent conclusions when confronted with the same moral quandary. This ethical conundrum not only highlights the nuances of each ethical approach but also underscores the complexity of moral decision-making in situations where there is no clear-cut right answer.

The Trolley Problem

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The trolley problem presents a scenario where a runaway trolley is heading towards five people tied to the tracks. A bystander on a footbridge above the tracks has the option to push a large stranger onto the tracks, sacrificing his life to stop the trolley and save the five people. This thought experiment, widely discussed in philosophical circles, forces individuals to confront difficult moral choices and evaluate the ethical implications of action versus inaction
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By pitting the sanctity of individual life against utilitarian considerations, the trolley problem serves as a powerful tool for exploring the nuances of different ethical frameworks and their practical applications in extreme situations.
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Virtue Ethics Approach

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Virtue ethics, focusing on the moral character of the decision-maker, approaches the trolley problem by considering virtues such as compassion, courage, justice, and integrity. A virtue ethicist might conclude that pushing the man is wrong because it violates the virtues of respect for human life and personal integrity
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This approach emphasizes that a virtuous person would not use another as a mere means to an end, even if it results in saving more lives. The dilemma challenges the decision-maker to balance conflicting virtues, such as the compassion to save five lives against the integrity of not causing direct harm to an innocent bystander
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Duty Ethics Approach

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Deontological ethics, rooted in Kant's philosophy, evaluates the trolley problem based on the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions, regardless of consequences. This approach considers Kant's Categorical Imperative, which states that one should "act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law"
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From this perspective, pushing the man would be morally wrong as it uses him merely as a means to save others, violating his autonomy and dignity. Additionally, the action fails the universalizability test, as we cannot will a universal law that permits pushing people to their deaths
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Duty ethics thus prioritizes the moral principle of respecting individual rights over utilitarian outcomes.
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Consequentialist Approach

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Judging actions solely by their outcomes, consequentialism, particularly utilitarianism, would likely endorse pushing the man in the trolley problem. This approach focuses on maximizing overall well-being, viewing the net result of five lives saved versus one lost as morally preferable
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Consequentialists prioritize the greater good, disregarding the means by which the outcome is achieved. This stance starkly contrasts with virtue ethics and deontology, highlighting how different ethical frameworks can lead to divergent conclusions when faced with the same moral dilemma
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Related
What are the main differences between consequentialist and deontological ethics
How do consequentialist ethics handle moral dilemmas
Can you provide examples of consequentialist ethics in action
How does utilitarianism fit into the consequentialist approach
What are the criticisms of consequentialist ethics
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