Skip to content

Would You Kill the Fat Man?: The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Would You Kill the Fat Man?: The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and Wrong Hardcover - 2013

by David Edmonds


From the publisher

From the bestselling coauthor of Wittgenstein's Poker, a fascinating tour through the history of moral philosophy A runaway train is racing toward five men who are tied to the track. Unless the train is stopped, it will inevitably kill all five men. You are standing on a footbridge looking down on the unfolding disaster. However, a fat man, a stranger, is standing next to you: if you push him off the bridge, he will topple onto the line and, although he will die, his chunky body will stop the train, saving five lives. Would you kill the fat man? The question may seem bizarre. But it's one variation of a puzzle that has baffled moral philosophers for almost half a century and that more recently has come to preoccupy neuroscientists, psychologists, and other thinkers as well. In this book, David Edmonds, coauthor of the bestselling Wittgenstein's Poker, tells the riveting story of why and how philosophers have struggled with this ethical dilemma, sometimes called the trolley problem. In the process, he provides an entertaining and informative tour through the history of moral philosophy. Most people feel it's wrong to kill the fat man. But why? After all, in taking one life you could save five. As Edmonds shows, answering the question is far more complex--and important--than it first appears. In fact, how we answer it tells us a great deal about right and wrong.

From the rear cover

"Lucid, witty, and beautifully written, this book is a pleasure to read. While providing an introduction to moral philosophy, it also presents engaging portraits of some of the greatest moral philosophers from Thomas Aquinas to the present day, and it makes the case for the relevance to ethics of the new experimental moral psychology. It is a tour de force."--Kwame Anthony Appiah, author of The Honor Code: How Moral Revolutions Happen

"This is a splendid work. You shouldn't expect it to resolve all your trolley problems but you can look forward to a romping mix of fine humor, intriguing anecdote, and solid argument. It's a sheer joy to read."--Philip Pettit, Princeton University and Australian National University

"David Edmonds has a remarkable knack for weaving the threads of philosophical debates into an engaging story. Would You Kill the Fat Man? is a stimulating introduction to some key ethical issues and philosophers."--Peter Singer, author of The Life You Can Save: How to Do Your Part to End World Poverty

"David Edmonds's new book, Would You Kill the Fat Man?, is both highly informative and a delight to read. Written in a clear, engaging, and witty style, it succeeds admirably in making various fascinating and important debates in philosophy and psychology accessible to a broad readership."--Jeff McMahan, Rutgers University

"This is a highly engaging book. David Edmonds's reflections are full of insight and he provides fascinating biographical background about the main players in the history of the trolley problem, in a style reminiscent of his very successful Wittgenstein's Poker."--Roger Crisp, University of Oxford

Details

  • Title Would You Kill the Fat Man?: The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and Wrong
  • Author David Edmonds
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition [ Edition: First
  • Pages 240
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.
  • Date 2013-10
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Dust Cover, Illustrated, Index, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780691154022 / 0691154023
  • Weight 0.88 lbs (0.40 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.79 x 5.88 x 0.81 in (22.33 x 14.94 x 2.06 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects Ethics, Churchill, Winston
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2013012385
  • Dewey Decimal Code 150

Media reviews

Citations

  • Choice, 03/01/2014, Page 0
  • Kirkus Reviews, 09/15/2013, Page 0
  • Library Journal, 10/15/2013, Page 104
  • New York Times Book Review, 04/24/2014, Page 14
  • Publishers Weekly, 09/23/2013, Page 0

About the author

David Edmonds is the author, with John Eidinow, of the best-selling "Wittgenstein's Poker," as well as "Rousseau's Dog" and "Bobby Fischer Goes to War." The cofounder of the popular Philosophy Bites podcast series, Edmonds is a senior research associate at the University of Oxford's Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics and a multi-award-winning radio feature maker at the BBC. He holds a PhD in philosophy.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Would You Kill the Fat Man? : The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Would You Kill the Fat Man? : The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and Wrong

by Edmonds, David

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780691154022 / 0691154023
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.00
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Princeton University Press. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
$5.00
FREE shipping to USA
Would You Kill the Fat Man? : The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and...

Would You Kill the Fat Man? : The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and Wrong

by David Edmonds

  • Used
  • very good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780691154022 / 0691154023
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Princeton University Press, 2013. Hardcover. Very Good. Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
Would You Kill the Fat Man? : The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and...

Would You Kill the Fat Man? : The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and Wrong

by David Edmonds

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780691154022 / 0691154023
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Princeton University Press, 2013. Hardcover. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
Would You Kill the Fat Man? : The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and...

Would You Kill the Fat Man? : The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and Wrong

by David Edmonds

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780691154022 / 0691154023
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Princeton University Press, 2013. Hardcover. Good. Disclaimer:Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
Would You Kill the Fat Man?: The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and Wrong

Would You Kill the Fat Man?: The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and Wrong

by Edmonds, David

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780691154022 / 0691154023
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Princeton University Press, 2013-10-06. Hardcover. Good. Hardcover. No dust jacket. Highlighting and annotation to the first 50 pages; remaining pages unmarked. Covers show minimal edge wear. Binding is tight, hinges strong. COVER MAY NOT MATCH THE PICTURE ON THIS SITE.; 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! Ships same or next business day!
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
Would You Kill the Fat Man? : The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Would You Kill the Fat Man? : The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and Wrong

by Edmonds, David

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780691154022 / 0691154023
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.74
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Princeton University Press. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$6.74
FREE shipping to USA
Would You Kill the Fat Man? : The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Would You Kill the Fat Man? : The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and Wrong

by Edmonds, David

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780691154022 / 0691154023
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.74
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Princeton University Press. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$6.74
FREE shipping to USA
Would You Kill the Fat Man?: The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and Wrong
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Would You Kill the Fat Man?: The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and Wrong

by Edmonds, David

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used: Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780691154022 / 0691154023
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.77
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Princeton University Press, 2013-10-06. Hardcover. Used: Good.
Item Price
$7.77
FREE shipping to USA
The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us a
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us a

by Would You Kill the Fat Man?

  • New
Condition
Brand New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780691154022 / 0691154023
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Williams, Arizona, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$8.92
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Brand New.
Item Price
$8.92
$3.99 shipping to USA
Would You Kill the Fat Man?: The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and Wrong
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Would You Kill the Fat Man?: The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us about Right and Wrong

by Edmonds, David

  • Used
  • Fine
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Fine
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780691154022 / 0691154023
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Sacramento, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$9.00
$4.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Hardcover. Fine. New / unused book from my book store
Item Price
$9.00
$4.00 shipping to USA