A note on the Trolley Problem and Three Weaknesses of Economic Theory

Alessandro Lanteri

Economics Bulletin, 2010, vol. 30, issue 1, 500-507

Abstract: The trolley problem is a moral dilemmas in which human lives are in danger and some, but not all, can be saved by direct intervention of a decision-maker. This article discusses three weaknesses of microeconomics with respect to individual conduct in the trolley problem: (i) it cannot make predictions; (ii) after observing the conduct of participants in an experiment, it cannot explain their decisions; (iii) it cannot suggest policies that ensure the maximization of aggregate welfare, nor can it suggest laws that endorse the prevailing observed conduct.

Keywords: experiment; moral dilemma; trolley problem (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B4 C9 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010-02-09
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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