Blood Drives Sydney

The Trolley Problem: Would you kill the fat man?

Chances are you've heard some version of this before, but it's worth revisiting. A runaway trolley is hurtling down the tracks toward five unsuspecting workers. You're standing on a footbridge above, and beside you is a large man. If you push him onto the tracks, his body will stop the trolley. He will die—but the five will live. Would you do it? What if pushing him saved a hundred people? This is no idle riddle. Our responses to this famous thought experiment (and many variants of it) reveal how we weigh consequences, rights, and intentions, and how our moral intuitions can clash with our moral reasoning. Moreover, these choices matter in the real world. From foreseeable risks to civilian lives in military action, to public‑health decisions about allocating scarce vaccines, to autonomous vehicles deciding who to save in a crash, trolley problems offer an accessible way to confront the hard edges of moral decision‑making in the modern age. Let's dive in. ***Primary Reading: [An Introduction to the Trolley Problem](https://1drv.ms/b/c/adb4f7488b2eef0a/IQCJWblmfROdQ57-BP0B6yCtAarIwZk1SPyFG157nZiDWN0?e=hjP4jO)*** (document prepared for this discussion) ***(Optional) Book: Would You Kill the Fat Man? The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us About Right and Wrong (2014) by David Edmonds*** For this meetup, we’ve prepared a 40-page guide that introduces the Trolley Problem, its philosophical significance, and what neuroscience has learned from using it to study moral decision-making. The guide includes sixteen scenarios, each probing different aspects of moral thinking: How do we weigh consequences against rights? Does intention matter more than outcomes? Do personal relationships override impartial calculation? When is it acceptable to use one person to save many? These scenarios reveal the complexity of our moral intuitions and will form the heart of our discussion. Hopefully the prepared guide will leave you wanting more. If so, David Edmonds' *Would You Kill the Fat Man?* is a wonderful next step. Edmonds traces the fascinating history of the Trolley Problem, examines philosophers who've wrestled with it, and explains the competing moral frameworks with clarity and wit. It's highly readable and brings real depth to these abstract dilemmas—but it's entirely optional. The guide has everything you need for our discussion. As always, we strongly encourage you to do the reading before attending. This will enrich both your experience and our collective discussion. We’ve also put links below on further resources on the topic. So join us for a drink (and optional meal) at 6:30pm on Monday, 1st June, on the 2nd floor of the Keg & Brew Hotel in Surrey Hills (i.e. up two flights of stairs). The venue is conveniently located near Central Station and the Light Rail. We look forward to seeing you there! P.S. Please adjust your RSVP if you have indicated that you will come but are no longer able to do so. This is courteous to other people if there is a waitlist. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- These are just optional links to consider. Feel free to pass on other useful links in the discussion section. **Videos** * A TED-Ed explainer on basic trolley problems: [Would you sacrifice one person to save five? (5 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg16u_bzjPE&t=1s) * Michael Sandel starts his famous Harvard justice lecture course with some trolley problems: [ Justice: What's The Right Thing To Do?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBdfcR-8hEY) * Podcast with David Edmonds, author of our book, on trolley problems: [Philosophy Bytes - Trolley Problems](https://philosophybites.com/podcast/david-edmonds-on-trolley-problems/) * Podcast with Prof Joshua Greene, a pioneer on applying neuroscience to the trolley problem: [Trolleyology with Dr Joshua Greene (1.22 hr)](https://www.alieward.com/ologies/trolleyology) * TED-Ed on self-driving car scenarios [The ethical dilemma of self-driving cars (4 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixIoDYVfKA0) * A real-life version of the trolley problem staged with unsuspecting participants!: [The trolley problem in real life (35 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sl5KJ69qiA&t=158s) * For fans of *The Good Place*, you’ll remember the ever-indecisive philosophy professor Chidi facing a real life trolley problem: [The Good Place – The Trolley Problem (3 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtRhrfhP5b4) * If you want to brush up on your utilitarianism and Kant’s categorical imperative, see these two Crash Course Philosophy videos: [Utilitarianism: Crash Course Philosophy (10 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a739VjqdSI) [Kant & Categorical Imperatives: Crash Course Philosophy (10 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bIys6JoEDw) **Written** * A nice easter egg for anyone who has read down the page this far (from the Utilitarianism.com website): [Would You Kill the Fat Man?](https://www.utilitarianism.com/trolley-problem.pdf) * Encyclopedia Entries: [Philopedia - The Trolley Problem](https://philopedia.org/arguments/the-trolley-problem/) [Wikipedia - The Trolley Problem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolley_problem) [Wikipedia - Dual Process Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_process_theory) [Britannica - The Trolley Problem](https://www.britannica.com/topic/trolley-problem) * A Conversation piece on AI systems and trolley problems [The self‑driving trolley problem](https://theconversation.com/the-self-driving-trolley-problem-how-will-future-ai-systems-make-the-most-ethical-choices-for-all-of-us-170961) * If you want to play with some moral dilemmas in autonomous vehicle crash scenarios and see how your choices compare globally: [Moral Machine - Moral Decisions and Machine Intelligence](https://www.moralmachine.net/)

George's River Sea to Source 1 - Kurnell to Woolooware

Update: Sorry all, I have to shift this by one week, as I have another commitment. This also resets our timing for some other members. We are starting a new series (more GNW to come - but later) The plan over winter is to walk all of the Georges River from Sea (Botany Bay) to Source (somewhere near Appin in Sydney's south) All up about 96 km, split into stages. First stage is Captain Cook's landing place to Cronulla station You get some history, some urban walks, and definitely good company. This is flat - so 16km is OK for this group. We are deliberately avoiding a boring walk- instead going past Cronulla Beach. We have allowed a generous 4 hours, and parking at the end allows some car-pooling options to get to the start or finish. Comment if you are looking for these options Start is WhatThreeWords. This is a bus stop labelled Prince Charles Pde before Captain Cook Drive, obviusly on Prince Chartles Pde. There is car parking there. **Public Transport** From Cronulla Station Route 987 at 7:45am gets to the start which is labelled **Prince Charles Pde before Captain Cook Drive**. Some of us will be on the bus, so look for the walkers/hikers if you have not joined before. Train from Central to Cronulla is Platform 25 at 6:22am - the next one "cuts it too fine". **Driving** I will park near Cronulla station and get the bus to the start. OK to drop people back to the start if you park at the start.

Monopoly Kings Birthday Long Weekend (SUNDAY)

Wolli-Creek-Cooks-River-Botany-Bay-Brighton-Ramsgate-Sandringham-easy-14km!

**WHY WALK?** 1\. Walking increases blood flow to the brain\, improving memory almost instantly\! 2\. Walking recalibrates your circadian rhythm\, making you fall asleep faster at night\. **THE WALK!** 1\. Wolli Creek Station start\, let's hit the road\, "easy\-peasy" pretty flat walk all the way\. 2\. Waterfront Park for first view of cooks river\, move forward to Discovery Park\. 3\. Quick bathroom stop at "Cahill Park"\, last chance for a while\. 4\. Fascinating section from Marsh St\. Reserve to Eve St\. Wetlands\. 5\. Moving along to Banksia Field to Riverine Park to Barton Park past Muddy Creek\. 6\. Loop around Muddy Creek to Lance Studdert Reserve and Kyeemagh Market Gardens\. 7\. Slide under Endeavour Bridge to Cook Park for bathroom and snack break\. 8\. Botany Bay Walk to Brighton\, Monterey\, Ramsgate to Dolls Point\. 9\. Ending in Sandringham\, but a bit further to St George Sailing Club for drinks\. **Start Time:** 10am **Meeting Point:** Wolli Creek Station, top of stairs, cafe opposite. **Distance:** 14km (finish before 2pm) **Difficulty:** Easy/Moderate due to distance, plenty of get out points. **Walking Pace:** An easy steady pace at 4.25km-4.50km per hour. **What to Bring:** Comfortable outfit, a litre of water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, a raincoat just in case of wet weather. Bring your happy personality too! **Payment Please:** $10 cash please or **PAY ID** 0435801602 name George Palasty. **Contact:** George 0435 801 602 if you have questions. (call or text) - More people arrive from our combined meetup groups for these Walking Events.

Power Ballard and Backrooms

Hi, Come along to one or both. **POWER BALLARD** \- starts **6.30pm** **BACKROOMS** \- starts **8.30pm** Please only RSVP is you are certain you will be attending & please write in the comments section which movie/s you are attending. You can buy tickets on line via the Palace website or at the box office on the night. I have purchased **F8 for BACKROOMS at 8.30** as it is quite popular. I will buy Power Ballard on the night - unless it suddenly gets popular & I will update here. Any messages please leave in the comments section below or if on the day text me on 0498826506 Ta Maggy

Secret Foodies: Chinese Reimagined

***There's a reason modern Chinese is having a moment in Sydney right now. When it's done well, it's electric.*** Secret Foodies presents **Chinese Reimagined**, a two-hatted kitchen has created an exclusive menu for one night only. Think crispy eggplant, dry-aged Angus with pepper sauce, jasmine tea custard and more. This is Chinese cuisine through a modern Australian lens, at a venue you won't see coming. What's included: Cocktail on arrival Multicourse shared menu Flowing wine **Date:** Thursday, 11th June **Time:** 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM **Location:** Will be sent to you via SMS 2 hours before the event (Hint: CBD) **Tickets:** $150 includes a cocktail on arrival, multicourse shared menu plus flowing wines **Dietary requirements:** Dietary requirements can be catered for with 7 days' notice Tickets are limited, grab them now: https://tickets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/chinese-reimagined-i7fmhs

SFF26 - American Doctor + Dinner/Drink before the film

SFF26 - The AI Doc: Or how I became an Apocaloptimist + Drink afterwards

SFF26 - Colony + Dinner/Drink afterwards

SFF26 - The Invite + Dinner/Drink afterwards

Unhurried Conversations at the Pub

In an unhurried conversation, there is time to think differently and connect with people in a refreshing way. Unhurried isn't always slow. It offers a pace where people find it easy to join in and not feel crowded out. And listening can be as satisfying as talking. We use a simple meeting format to make this happen. https://www.unhurried.org/ This newly created event is at a new venue, the Keg & Bew Hotel at Surry Hills. We meet on the 2nd floor around 6:15pm. Food and drinks are available, before and after, on the ground floor and roof top.

Disclosure Day