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Critical Thinking and Ethics

Question 1

In my opinion, a person's intentions matter a lot towards building the morality of an action. For example, a person may do something completely unintended but end up in negative implications; however, this does not mean such a person is immoral; it is only bad luck. Besides, I believe intensions are essential in assessing a person's molarity of actions because positive intentions always lead to possible consequences to the intended party. Therefore, I think that focusing on moralizing our intentions can yield better results than trying to control consequences, which in most cases are uncontrollable.

Question 2

I would pull the lever to save the five workers. The first reason why I would sacrifice the "one worker" is because of the desire to save the majority. Considering the situation, I have been put in; it is clear that I had to make a choice and do so very fast, my instinct would be to do less damage by sacrificing one worker as opposed to five of them. Additionally, it is evident that killing the five workers would be more detrimental to the families; many would require help because their breadwinners would have been killed in the accident. On the other hand, killing the work who is on his own would create only one family looking for support and morning their breadwinners' death. So, my decision would be based on the desire to do greater good by saving the maximum number of people.

My response from the first question informed what I have indicated in question two. For example, in response one, I indicated that intensions are key in determining an action's morality. This informs the reply to question two since I would opt to sacrifice the employee who is working alone intending to kill fewer people. Also, comparing with question one, I have noted that it would be appropriate to pull the level and kill only one worker because my intensions would be geared towards causing less loss of life.

Question 3

I would not push the muscular man to stop the railcar. Considering that both of us are on the same...