Morality? Simple. Until You See The Lever.

What the absurd trolley game from Neal.fun reveals — or doesn’t — about our ethical principles

Screenshot by the author

Imagine browsing the internet, minding your own business, when — bam! — you land on an ethical minefield. Not social media drama, not a Twitter storm, but a cutely illustrated website with the innocent-sounding headline: “Absurd Trolley Problems”.

One click, and you’re thrust into perhaps the most famous thought experiment in moral philosophy: the trolley problem. Except here, you’re not just weighing five people against one — soon you’re deciding between five clowns and a composer. Or five influencers versus a sandwich. Yes, a sandwich. And suddenly you realize: you’re hesitating.

Morality is simple. Until it gets specific.

Philosophy students know the trolley problem as an introduction to ethical theories. Utilitarianism? Do the math. Deontology? Follow the rule. Virtue ethics? Ask what a virtuous person would do. Everything neat and clear — on paper.

But what if the lone person on the track is a former child abuser? Or your mother? Or a koala in a tutu?

Neal.fun (a platform created by Neal Agarwal that specializes in interactive, playful web experiences)…