The “Trolley Problem” (and its predecessor the “Lifeboat Problem”) are philosophic remnants of the medieval view of this world as a doomed place where humans are fated to suffer. The Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the founding of the pursuit-of-happiness United States put a dent in the ancient fatalism, but it’s hard to stamp out thousands of years of doom-and-gloom thinking.
I got in a great deal of trouble, in elementary school, with that problem. My solution was throw the switch 1/2 way and derail the train. The teacher talked with my parents and told them I wasn’t able to think the problem through and explain the “correct” answer. 20 years later I earned my mechanical engineering degree.
…I thought the trolley was supposed to be a runaway trolley…because if the driver could just stop it whenever they wanted, then why is this even a problem to begin with?
Imagine over 1 year ago
Exactly!
BasilBruce over 1 year ago
Next he’ll save Shrodinger’s Cat by taking it out of the box!
Argythree over 1 year ago
Love them all (but still like the elevator jokes the most…)
in-dubio-pro-rainbow over 1 year ago
Sometimes they think you’re off your trolley but than again…it’s the easiest solutions which are the best
Panufo over 1 year ago
I always click ‘like’ just for the topper. There should be a separate ‘like’ just for that, and another for the main Sunday strip.
BigBoy over 1 year ago
Then along came Horace, slow walkin’ Horace…
Zesty over 1 year ago
That track appears to be a loop … so throwing the lever might not make any difference.
pschearer Premium Member over 1 year ago
The “Trolley Problem” (and its predecessor the “Lifeboat Problem”) are philosophic remnants of the medieval view of this world as a doomed place where humans are fated to suffer. The Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the founding of the pursuit-of-happiness United States put a dent in the ancient fatalism, but it’s hard to stamp out thousands of years of doom-and-gloom thinking.
Doctor Toon over 1 year ago
Horace the Hero Horse
InTraining Premium Member over 1 year ago
C1 – Horace skipped reading the directions…!
InTraining Premium Member over 1 year ago
C2 – indeed Anonymous does live on as one of the great philosophers…!
InTraining Premium Member over 1 year ago
C3 – so Hource musta been reading about “The Trolly Problem” on Wikipedia…. Somehow he found a happy ending and can now get a good night’s sleep…!
ronmor1 over 1 year ago
I got in a great deal of trouble, in elementary school, with that problem. My solution was throw the switch 1/2 way and derail the train. The teacher talked with my parents and told them I wasn’t able to think the problem through and explain the “correct” answer. 20 years later I earned my mechanical engineering degree.
kartis over 1 year ago
AI: Why are you asking me these crazy ethical questions? Who would be so insane as to create these situations?
Humans: ….
JoshHere over 1 year ago
Zebrastripes over 1 year ago
Horace’s ego just jumped to 100% ……ok ok enough worshipping. Go about your daily lives….come on…move it, move it, move it!
markkahler52 over 1 year ago
Best solution to a dilema I’ve EVER seen!!
markkahler52 over 1 year ago
I so love this strip! Should be in my local papers
scyphi26 over 1 year ago
…I thought the trolley was supposed to be a runaway trolley…because if the driver could just stop it whenever they wanted, then why is this even a problem to begin with?
Tigressy over 1 year ago
Kobayashi Maru and a certain James T. Kirk hacking the computer.
Radish... over 1 year ago
Horace is off his trolly.
mistercatworks over 1 year ago
“Everybody knew me.” – Ibid
Wizard4168 over 1 year ago
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair.