Major themes in literature often relate back to the idea of “good vs. evil.” For example, in novels you can often find a brave hero facing off against a wicked villain to teach the reader that being good and doing the right thing is what is best for society. These stories usually show the hero as being all good and the villain as being all bad, and the choice to do the right thing is always very clear. However, how does this apply to the real world?
The article, “A teen and a trolley reveal society’s dark side,” explores this debate. Examine the article and determine whether you believe that people can be completely good or whether you think there is a dark side to us all. Explain your reasoning.
Post a detailed response to the Trolley Discussion prompt.
In the article, "A teen and a trolley reveal society's dark side," the author discusses the classic ethical dilemma known as the trolley problem. In this scenario, a person is faced with the choice of diverting a runaway trolley onto a track where it will kill one person, or doing nothing and letting it continue on its current path where it will kill five people. The author argues that this dilemma reveals the darkness that exists within all of us, as it forces individuals to make a difficult decision that ultimately involves sacrificing someone's life.
I believe that this dilemma does indeed show that there is a dark side to all of us. In reality, people are not always completely good or completely evil; instead, we all have the capacity for both good and evil within us. We are constantly faced with moral dilemmas in our daily lives, where we must make choices that may not always align with what society deems as "good." Whether it's choosing between honesty and deceit, kindness and cruelty, or selflessness and selfishness, we are all capable of making decisions that have both positive and negative consequences.
Furthermore, the trolley problem highlights the complexity of moral decision-making and the fact that there are often no easy answers. It challenges us to consider the greater good versus individual rights, and forces us to confront our own values and beliefs. This dilemma serves as a reminder that humans are inherently flawed beings, capable of making morally ambiguous choices in difficult situations.
In conclusion, while the concept of "good vs. evil" is a common theme in literature, the reality is that human nature is much more nuanced and complex. We all have the capacity for darkness within us, and it is through facing ethical dilemmas like the trolley problem that we are forced to confront our own moral compass and make difficult decisions that may not always reflect the pure dichotomy of good and evil.