Utilitarianism and the trolley problem

The following chapters, scenario and two additional links are needed to construct the essay: • Rachels, Chapter 7, The Utilitarian Approach • Rachels, Chapter 8, The Debate Over Utilitarianism, sections 8.1-8.3 https://www.utilitarianism.com/mill1.htm https://www.utilitarianism.com/ Consider the following scenario. You have noticed that a trolley is out of control and headed towards five workers further down the tracks–at this point, there is nothing that can stop the trolley. If the trolley continues on this course, the workers will surely perish. Suppose that you are standing near the tracks, and you notice a lever. Moreover, suppose that you know enough to realize what that lever is for: if you pull the lever, you will send the trolley down a different stretch of track. So, you are in a position to save five workers. Doing so, however, will put the trolley onto another set of tracks where one worker is located–and if the trolley is put on these tracks, that lone worker will surely perish. So, here’s your dilemma, let five workers die by your inaction (and avoid killing one other worker), or kill one worker by your intervention in order to save five others. … In a short essay (500-600 words), develop an answer to this dilemma, made entirely on Utilitarian grounds. That is, apply Utilitarianism to the case at hand, by putting together the (Utilitarian) reasoning that justifies your answer. In your essay, also indicate relevant factors for making your decision, such as whatever bears on the amount of the happiness/pain produced. If the addition of other details an affect your decision (on Utilitarian grounds), this is also worth mentioning. In short, demonstrate in your answer that you understand the basics of Utilitarianism and that you can apply the theory to this case.