Ologies with Alie Ward Trolleyology (MORAL DILEMMAS + THE TROLLEY PROBLEM) with Joshua Greene
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Aug 20, 2025 Dr. Joshua Greene, a Harvard Psychology professor and expert in moral psychology, dives into the complexities of the trolley problem and its ethical implications. He discusses how religion and neurodivergence influence moral decisions and the challenges of navigating differing political perspectives. Greene explores the effectiveness of charitable giving, introducing the innovative Giving Multiplier initiative. He also addresses how societal issues intersect with philosophy, touching on utilitarianism and the nature of morality, aiming to bridge divides through enhanced understanding.
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Banana-Pants Debate Moment
- Joshua Greene recounts losing a debate over whether a doctor may sacrifice one healthy person to save five patients.
- That episode shifted his commitment from pure consequentialism toward studying sacrificial dilemmas.
Switch Versus Footbridge Distinction
- The Trolley Problem contrasts a direct personal harm (pushing) with impersonal harm (flipping a switch) to expose moral intuitions.
- That contrast reveals why consequentialist and deontological ethics diverge on sacrifice cases.
Emotion Drives Footbridge Rejection
- Neuroimaging shows stronger emotional brain activity for footbridge-style dilemmas than for switch dilemmas.
- Greater emotional activation predicts rejection of direct-personal-harm solutions.
