An Unexpected Encounter【Ⅵ】電車悖論

Choosing Between Sacrifices in a Turbulent City

I remember that evening, sitting quietly by your hospital bed, as the sunset cast its warm glow.

"You're awake." "Yes, I can tell from the anger on your face that you want to ask me something." "I can't understand why you would choose to live with someone who once violated you."

"Before I answer your question, can I tell you about the trolley dilemma?" "Okay."

“The trolley dilemma was originally proposed by the philosopher Philippa Foot as a critique of ethical theories, particularly utilitarianism.

In a city in the Soviet Union, there was a special tram representing people's free will and independent thinking. This tram ran on a track symbolizing individual dreams and pursuits.

However, one day, a deranged communist believer appeared. He kidnapped five innocent individuals who represented personal freedom and tied them to the tram tracks. The madman sought to suppress people's independent thinking and unify them under collective ideology.

Just then, an out-of-control trolley was hurtling towards the five innocent victims. People faced a critical choice: they could pull a lever to divert the trolley onto another track, thereby saving the lives of the five innocent victims. However, this choice was not simple.

Because on that other track, the madman had also kidnapped one person, representing personal freedom and independent thinking. This person was forced to be sacrificed in exchange for the lives of the other five.

People fell into deep contemplation, faced with a moral dilemma. They knew that if they pulled the lever, they would be able to save as many lives as possible, but it also meant sacrificing one person's freedom and independent thinking.

Given such a situation, how would you choose?

There was a beautiful city named Hong Kong, once a symbol of prosperity and freedom. However, this city has recently fallen into turmoil. Let's explore why.

In Hong Kong, there is a special tram representing the fate of the city. This tram is running on a track symbolizing the core values, autonomy, and human rights of Hong Kong.

However, one day, a group of lunatics stormed into Hong Kong, kidnapping five innocent individuals who represented the people of Hong Kong and tying them to the tram tracks. These lunatics sought to trample on Hong Kong's freedom and democracy, attempting to destroy the soul of the city.

Just at that moment, an out-of-control trolley was speeding towards the five innocent victims. The people of Hong Kong faced a crucial choice: they could pull a lever to divert the trolley onto another track, thus saving the lives of the five innocent victims. However, this choice was not simple.

Because on that other track, those lunatics had also kidnapped one person representing the rule of law, freedom of speech, and human rights in Hong Kong. This person was forced to become a sacrifice in exchange for the lives of the other five.

The people of Hong Kong fell into deep contemplation, faced with a moral dilemma. They knew that if they pulled the lever, they would be able to save as many lives as possible, but it also meant sacrificing one person's freedom and rights.

How should the people of Hong Kong choose?"

We sat in silence, watching the sunset outside the window.

To be continued...