English Explanatory Dictionary

trolley problem

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A type of thought experiment in ethics and psychology, involving ethical dilemmas of whether to sacrifice one person to save a larger number.

Word forms

trolley problem trolley problems

Etymology

Coined by American philosopher Judith Thomson. The problems usually involve deciding whom to save from an approaching trolley that can be diverted but not stopped.

Related words

trolleyology Heinz dilemma
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