Moral dilemma is solved similarly worldwide
This is the result of a study with more than 27,000 participants from more than 45 countries, in which experiments according to Greene et al. (2009) were attempted to be replicated. On the part of Karl Landsteiner Private University, Prof. Stefan Stieger from the Department of Psychological Methodology and psychology student Jennifer Lenz were involved.
Specifically, the reactions to the so-called trolley problem were examined. In this hypothetical thought experiment, a train speeds towards people who will be killed. There is, however, the possibility of diverting the train to a neighbouring track, but this also endangers people - but fewer. There is no right or wrong response to this dilemma, only different views - the utilitarian and the deontological principle. In the utilitarian philosophy, an action is morally acceptable if it maximises the welfare of the greatest number of people, for example in the form of lives saved. Deontological philosophy, on the other hand, evaluates the morality of an action in terms of greater consideration for the rights and duties of the individual. This inherent conflict is well illustrated by this trolley problem.
Interestingly, the most commonly chosen response - diverting the trolley - was largely the same worldwide, regardless of culture (e.g. communitarian/collectivist vs. individualist oriented) and religion. This suggests a 'universal' principle that is independent of socialised attitudes and behaviours.
Link to the study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-022-01319-5
