Normative arguments using trolley cases rely on the cases' conceptual structure rather than on survey majorities, so response instability is beside the point
[unresolved]
[no evidence]
[quiet]
[stable]
[undecided]
A survey of 92 papers in normative ethics published 2015-2023 that invoke trolley variants (Rasmussen, 2024) found that 81 used the cases to test the internal consistency of a stated principle — e.g. whether the doctrine of double effect delivers the verdict its proponents claim — rather than to establish a verdict by appeal to widespread agreement. Only 7 cited empirical response distributions at all.
Accurate
(+0)
Falsifiable
(+0)
Clear
(+0)
Novel
(+0)
Important
(+0)
▸ Score Details
Cited as evidence in 1 claim:
Trolley-style thought experiments lack evidential value for…
(opposes)
cited by (1)
cited as opposes by:
[+0]
Trolley-style thought experiments lack evidential value for normative ethics because responses to them track framing artifacts rather than stable moral commitments
experimental-philosophy
metaethics
moral-psychology
philosophy
virtues: Accurate unrated · Falsifiable unrated · Clear unrated · Novel unrated · Important unrated
this claim:
Normative arguments using trolley cases rely on the cases' conceptual structure rather than on survey majorities, so response instability is beside the point
opposes (0)
no opposing evidence yet
Evidence Supporting (0)
No supporting evidence yet.
Evidence Against (0)
No opposing evidence yet.
Respondeo
Loading responses...
Log in to join the discussion.