Original Problem
From a utilitarian perspective, the best decision would be the one that produces the greatest amount of good for the greatest number (Loreggia, Mattei, Rossi, & Venable, 2018). The best decision would thus be to pull the switch due to the severe consequences of not pulling the switch. Not pulling the switch would mean that more people are going to suffer.
Fat Man Variant
The decision to push the fat man is a hard one because it would involve discrimination of an individual in order to save other lives. The decision involves willfully making one person to suffer in order to save another life. After careful consideration, I would push him over just to save lives.
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Fat man/villain variant
The fat man in the given scenario is the villain and is partly responsible for putting five people at risk. The decision is not a hard one and I would definitely push the fat man.
Loved One Variant
For the given situation, having a loved one in the given scenario would mean that my emotions and affections are in place. The care I have for my loved would affect the decision and I would not act in a utilitarian manner and would not pull the switch.
Man Sleeping in his Yard Variant
The scenario would also involve a utilitarian point of view where I would consider saving 5 individuals for one life. However, in case the five lives would not be saved, then the decision would not be undertaken.
Killing 4 to Save 5
The situation is similar to the different questions above but the difference is that the stakes are higher. For scenario 2, I would change my behavior and not willfully push the individuals. However, observing from a utilitarian perspective, I may consider saving 5 lives instead of 4.
Transplant Variant
The doctor should not kill the tourist as this would be an immoral act of killing an innocent individual. This is different from the trolley situation that provides the option of saving a group and killing one. The principle of beneficence would apply here involving doing good to others by following one’s moral obligations (Loreggia, Mattei, Rossi, & Venable, 2018).
References
Loreggia, A., Mattei, N., Rossi, F., & Venable, K. B. (2018). Preferences and ethical principles in decision making. In 2018 AAAI Spring Symposium Series .
