I heard this piece on Sunday, December 17, 2006.

Concerning the problem involving the men working on the tracks, I was very surprised that no one could explain the basic difference between the two situations.

In the first case there are only two choices; either letting five men die or throwing a switch which would result in the death of only one man.

However, in the second case, there are not two choices as presented, but actually three. As presented, the choices were letting the five men die on the tracks as opposed to pushing an individual off the bridge thus warning the train to stop.

The third choice would be to jump in front of the train yourself.

I think subconsciously this is the reason that people were against this last choice. By pushing the individual off the bridge they would not only be saving the lives on the men on the tracks, but also your life. In other words, you would be killing an innocent person to save your own.

Terry Cassady
terrycassady@hotmail.com
Leander, Texas