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dumky comments on The Trolley Problem and Reversibility - Less Wrong Discussion
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There is a third approach to the trolley problem, which I have not often seen discussed: whose property are the trolley tracks?
In other words, does this require a universal answer, or can this allow for diversity based on property and agreement? When you board a ship, you know that the captain has the last word when it comes to life-or-death situations, and different captains may have different judgement. The same goes for trolley tracks. The principles can be explained beforehand (such as "the mission comes first"). Another question that seems relevant to the person in charge (owner) is whether the 5 people are to blame for putting themselves at risk.
The trolley problem is a hypothetical situation designed to explore the clash between following deontological principles and allowing a great deal of harm to occur. So, in setting up this problem, we should be trying to limit these extraneous factors as much as possible. So we'll say that you are the person in charge with absolute authority over what call to make. We will say that none of this is your fault or anyone's fault - these people just mysteriously appeared on the tracks as a result of quantum fluctuations.
Sure, but that means there possibly is no answer (the problem is under-specified). Maybe the answer depends on preferences, not universal ethical or rational principles (such as deontological or utilitarian principles).