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A comment on Absurd Trolley Problems. Parent comment

Re:Absurd Trolley Problems by robocat on Wednesday July 06, 2022 @01:40AM (#31997132)
That completely changes the question because it gives you obvious deniability, whereas the lever probably does not. Especially if witnessed.

That matters legally (accidental death) versus intent (mens rea, murder).

It also matters socially, because you can deny that you made any choice even though you may have chosen (assuming you only do it once). You can even deny it to yourself.

It does beg the question: who set the trolley up to kill people, and why did you happen to be standing on the trigger?

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Re:Absurd Trolley Problems by kadoban on Wednesday July 06, 2022 @03:16AM (#31997794)
It may have legal and social differences, but (imo) it should not have moral differences. Either way, there are two outcomes and you're picking one.

I'm just trying to poke at the gp's idea (paraphrasing) that inaction is morally blameless.

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