About the Bystander at the Switch, Thomson says that the bystander “does not make something be a threat to people which would otherwise not be a threat to anyone; he makes be a threat to fewer what is already a threat to more” (p. 1408). Explain this idea in your own words. Does Thomson succeed in identifying a feature of the Bystander case that distinguishes it morally from the hospital Transplant case? Why or why not? Why does Thomson think you may not redirect an existing threat from five to one by pushing a large person off a bridge onto the track below? Do you agree with her explanation of why it would be wrong to do that? Why or why not?

Instructions: Write a short paper (about 3 pages, double spaced) on one of the following topics; your paper must be no longer than 900 words in total. Try to avoid plot summaries, and to argue for a point of view. When you attribute a specific claim to a philosopher you are discussing, remember to provide a textual citation or brief quotation to back it up (page references may be given in parentheses in the text). Do not need to identify student’s name or instructor. Remember to indicate the number of the prompt to which you are responding (but do not reproduce the text of the prompt).

2. About the Bystander at the Switch, Thomson says that the bystander “does not make something be a threat to people which would otherwise not be a threat to anyone; he makes be a threat to fewer what is already a threat to more” (p. 1408). Explain this idea in your own words. Does Thomson succeed in identifying a feature of the Bystander case that distinguishes it morally from the hospital Transplant case? Why or why not? Why does Thomson think you may not redirect an existing threat from five to one by pushing a large person off a bridge onto the track below? Do you agree with her explanation of why it would be wrong to do that? Why or why not?

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