Description

Psychologist Kevin Dutton discusses the classic trolley problems and what we can learn about our brains and how we process different moral and social issues.  Importantly, you can actually use this philosophic thought experiment as an informal test of psychopathy.  Interestingly, psychopathy can actually be socially and morally useful.

Discussion Questions

• What are the first and second train problems discussed?  How would you answer?
• What are the differences between impersonal and personal dilemmas?  How do most people process them differently?
• How can a psychopath be more adept at saving lives?

Keywords: trolley problem, philosophy, ethics, psychopath, sociopath, psychology, mental disorder, personality, test, morality, empathy,