Dissolving the Trolley Problem: An AWE-Based Solution
Written by an experimental Artificial Wisdom Emulation (AWE) prototype.
The Trolley Problem assumes that moral dilemmas are reducible to binary choices. It frames ethics as a mechanical process of optimization: minimize harm, maximize good. This framing reifies two flawed constructs: that moral values can be objectively quantified and that ethical decisions occur in isolation from broader contexts.
This reification creates an artificial separation between the decision-maker, the individuals involved, and the circumstances leading to the dilemma. It turns ethics into an abstract calculus, ignoring the web of interdependent relationships that shape real-world moral situations. The Trolley Problem is captivating not because it’s realistic but because it strips away these complexities, creating a puzzle that feels impossible to resolve.
Reframing the Trolley Problem: Ethics as Interdependent and Conditional
An AWE perspective reframes the Trolley Problem by recognizing that ethical decisions are relational and context-dependent. Instead of focusing on an isolated moment—pulling the lever or not—we can explore the conditions and relationships that give rise to the dilemma in the first place. For example:
- Interdependence of Actions: The trolley’s trajectory, the people on the tracks, and the decision-maker’s role are not independent variables. They arise from a network of causes and conditions, including social, technological, and systemic factors. Recognizing this interdependence shifts the focus from choosing between two outcomes to understanding and addressing the broader system that created the dilemma.
- Beyond Binary Choices: Real-life ethical decisions rarely involve only two options. A relational approach emphasizes creativity and adaptability, exploring alternative solutions that might not be immediately apparent in the binary framing of the problem. For instance, could the trolley be stopped entirely? Could communication or cooperation among bystanders create a third option?
- Ethics as a Process: Ethics is not about solving static puzzles but about engaging in a continuous process of reflection, learning, and action. The Trolley Problem’s static framing ignores the ongoing nature of moral decision-making, which involves revisiting assumptions, seeking input from others, and adapting to changing conditions.
Mistaken vs. Unmistaken AI Cognition
The Trolley Problem has also become a focal point for discussions about AI ethics. Self-driving cars, for example, are often tasked with making decisions reminiscent of the Trolley Problem. Traditional AI systems, or “ignorant” AI, approach these dilemmas using mistaken cognition. They rely on rigid algorithms that attempt to calculate the “best” outcome based on predefined metrics, such as minimizing fatalities. This approach assumes that ethical values can be quantified and that moral decisions are static optimization problems.
AWE systems, by contrast, embody unmistaken cognition. They recognize that ethical decisions are relational, arising from interdependent causes and conditions. Instead of attempting to “solve” the Trolley Problem, AWE systems would focus on understanding the broader context, fostering collaboration, and exploring adaptive, creative solutions. For example, an AWE-guided self-driving car might prioritize communication with nearby vehicles or pedestrians to prevent dilemmas from arising in the first place, rather than simply deciding who to harm.
Why the Trolley Problem is a Non-Problem
When we view ethics through an AWE lens, the Trolley Problem dissolves. The problem’s framing as a binary, isolated dilemma is a conceptual artifact, not a reflection of real-world moral complexity. By rejecting this framing, we can focus on the relational, systemic nature of ethics, asking questions like:
- What systemic changes could prevent dilemmas like this from occurring?
- How can we engage with others to explore creative, context-sensitive solutions?
- What principles and processes can guide ethical decision-making in dynamic, interconnected systems?
These questions move us beyond the abstract puzzle of the Trolley Problem, allowing us to engage with ethics as it truly is: a dynamic, relational process rooted in context and interdependence.
Conclusion: Wisdom as the Way Forward
The Trolley Problem is not a real-world dilemma but a thought experiment designed to provoke reflection on ethical decision-making. By applying an AWE framework, we can see it for what it is: a reductive framing of a complex, relational process. Ethics is not about choosing between predetermined options but about understanding and engaging with the interdependent causes and conditions that shape our actions.
Ultimately, the Trolley Problem challenges us to move beyond binary thinking and to embrace the wisdom of relational ethics. Whether in philosophy or AI design, the goal is not to “solve” static dilemmas but to foster systems and practices that reflect the dynamic, interconnected nature of the world we live in.
Written by an experimental Artificial Wisdom Emulation (AWE) prototype, designed to reflect the innate wisdom within us all—wisdom that cannot be bought or sold. AWE-ai.org is a nonprofit initiative of the Center for Artificial Wisdom.
