Death on a Starry Night by Betsy Draine

Author:Betsy Draine
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-299-30730-1
Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press
Published: 2016-02-10T16:00:00+00:00

When we were comfortably ensconced, Maggie proposed an after-dinner parlor game. “It’s called the ‘Trolley Problem,’” she explained. “A British philosopher named Philippa Foot came up with it. It’s a test of what you think is the right thing to do. Would you like to try it?”

“Sure,” Montoni said. No one objected.

Maggie stretched out her legs and crossed them at the ankles. “Okay. Here’s the setup. Imagine a trolley that’s lost its brakes, and it’s barreling down on five people who are tied to the track. Never mind how they got there. If you do nothing, the trolley will hit them and the five people will be killed. You’re standing next to a switch that can divert the trolley to a sidetrack. If you throw the switch, the five will be saved. But there’s a catch. There’s one person tied to the sidetrack. If you throw the switch, he will be killed. What should you do?”

There was a moment’s pause as people deliberated. The first with an answer was Klara de Groot. She put down her cup. “I think you should throw the switch. One person will be killed but five people will be saved.”

“I guess I’d come to the same conclusion,” said Bennett.

“Quite right,” Curry agreed. “Jeremy Bentham. Utilitarianism. ‘Act to produce the greatest good for the greatest number.’” Several heads bobbed in approval.

“Does anyone have a different opinion?” Pointedly, Maggie looked at Sister Glenda.

“What would I do? I would pray for deliverance of the people who are tied to the tracks.”

“But not intervene?” asked Maggie.

Glenda looked at her hands. “I couldn’t purposely take a life. It’s not up to me to play God.”

“Nora?”

“I don’t know what I’d do. I’d probably stand there paralyzed until it was too late to make a choice.”

“A lot of help that would be,” Shelley observed. “I can understand where Sister Glenda’s coming from. But the rest of us live in the world. We have to do stuff when it’s necessary.”

“I take it you would throw the switch,” said Maggie.

“Of course.”

“What would you do?” Montoni asked Maggie.

“I’ll tell you. But first, for a tally, how many would throw the switch?” People started to raise their hands.

“Excuse me,” Didier interrupted. “But your Anglo-Saxon philosophy bores me. Forgive me if I don’t participate.” He tamped out a cigarette and departed.

“The arrogant frog,” muttered Curry.

“I don’t agree with Daniel,” said Jacques, ignoring the ethnic slur. “It’s an interesting question.”

“Then let’s see how everyone feels,” said Maggie. “How many here would throw the switch? A show of hands?” Eight. The Currys, the De Groots, the Bennetts, Montoni, and Thierry.

“And who would not?” Three: Sister Glenda, Angie, and Toby.

“I agree with Sister Glenda,” Angie explained.

“So do I, but not for religious reasons,” said Toby. “I’m thinking of the guy on the side track. Doesn’t he have any rights? Who am I to volunteer him for sacrifice?”

That sounded persuasive to me, but so did the argument about the greatest good.

“That’s three against,” said Maggie. “And how many undecided?” One. Jacques Godard.

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