The Trolley Problem (and Other Moral Puzzles)
The Trolley Problem is the most famous of all moral puzzles. It originated in debates about abortion, but it got new life lately because of its application to autonomous cars. In this seminar, we’ll investigate the trolley problem, with special attention to the issues that it raises for lawyers. We’ll also consider the legal significance of several other puzzles in moral philosophy: the non-identity problem (which is relevant to claims for reparations, claims for wrongful life, and climate change policy, among other things); John Taurek’s infamous challenge to cost-benefit analysis; and issues about personal identity. No background in philosophy is required. The puzzles are intuitive and fun to work through.