Honestly its surprising thatThe Good Placeeven took this long to present it.
The problem, as capably described by Chidi in his lesson to team Cockroach, involves the following.
Youre on a trolley that is out of control and careening down the track.
Ahead of you are five people working on the tracks.
They will certainly be killed if your trolley strikes them.
There is no way to avoid one of these two results.
What do you do?
Theres no right answer, of course.
Well maybe there is, but we are not a sophisticated enough species to comprehend it.
Its more than worth a listen to.
The best thing thatThe Good Places The Trolley Problem does is not particularly care about the trolley problem.
Sure, it devotes nearly the entire episodes running time to it.
First in discussion with Eleanor.
Michael, and friends.
These presentations and play testings of the trolley problem arent really about the trolley problem, however.
This is the best use of philosophyThe Good Placehas rolled out yet precisely because its implicitly dismissive of philosophy.
Its about people about how we all venture to be good.
The fact that there is an actual demon in play just makes it all the better.
Chidis philosophy classes seem to be going relatively poorly so far.
Eleanor is as close to a model student as she is capable of being.
The rest of Chidis students, however, are struggling.
Tahani and Jason are wrapped up in a trolley problem of their own.
Tahani and Jason bring Janet into the fold to play therapist to them.
First Janet just has to download all the information regarding psychotherapy in the known universe.
This takes approximately one second.
Its unclear if the Tahani/Jason coupling is here to stay but why wouldnt it be?
Theyre about as good a fit that exists in the simulated bad place.
I fear this neighborhood is in danger of total collapse, she cheerily tells Michael at episodes end.
Shes right, of course.
Chidi is a damned hero by attempting to do the impossible just to save himself and his friends afterlife.
And it all happens in a split-second before everyone moves on.
Perhaps its this dedication and clear selflessness to move Michael to finally ask for help.
Of course Eleanor plays a significant role as well.
Rating:
4 out of 5
