Book Drives Sydney

The Trolley Problem: Would you kill the fat man?

Chances are you've heard some version of this before, but it's worth revisiting. A runaway trolley is hurtling down the tracks toward five unsuspecting workers. You're standing on a footbridge above, and beside you is a large man. If you push him onto the tracks, his body will stop the trolley. He will die—but the five will live. Would you do it? What if pushing him saved a hundred people? This is no idle riddle. Our responses to this famous thought experiment (and many variants of it) reveal how we weigh consequences, rights, and intentions, and how our moral intuitions can clash with our moral reasoning. Moreover, these choices matter in the real world. From foreseeable risks to civilian lives in military action, to public‑health decisions about allocating scarce vaccines, to autonomous vehicles deciding who to save in a crash, trolley problems offer an accessible way to confront the hard edges of moral decision‑making in the modern age. Let's dive in. ***Primary Reading: [An Introduction to the Trolley Problem](https://1drv.ms/b/c/adb4f7488b2eef0a/IQCJWblmfROdQ57-BP0B6yCtAarIwZk1SPyFG157nZiDWN0?e=hjP4jO)*** (document prepared for this discussion) ***(Optional) Book: Would You Kill the Fat Man? The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us About Right and Wrong (2014) by David Edmonds*** For this meetup, we’ve prepared a 40-page guide that introduces the Trolley Problem, its philosophical significance, and what neuroscience has learned from using it to study moral decision-making. The guide includes sixteen scenarios, each probing different aspects of moral thinking: How do we weigh consequences against rights? Does intention matter more than outcomes? Do personal relationships override impartial calculation? When is it acceptable to use one person to save many? These scenarios reveal the complexity of our moral intuitions and will form the heart of our discussion. Hopefully the prepared guide will leave you wanting more. If so, David Edmonds' *Would You Kill the Fat Man?* is a wonderful next step. Edmonds traces the fascinating history of the Trolley Problem, examines philosophers who've wrestled with it, and explains the competing moral frameworks with clarity and wit. It's highly readable and brings real depth to these abstract dilemmas—but it's entirely optional. The guide has everything you need for our discussion. As always, we strongly encourage you to do the reading before attending. This will enrich both your experience and our collective discussion. We’ve also put links below on further resources on the topic. So join us for a drink (and optional meal) at 6:30pm on Monday, 1st June, on the 2nd floor of the Keg & Brew Hotel in Surrey Hills (i.e. up two flights of stairs). The venue is conveniently located near Central Station and the Light Rail. We look forward to seeing you there! P.S. Please adjust your RSVP if you have indicated that you will come but are no longer able to do so. This is courteous to other people if there is a waitlist. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- These are just optional links to consider. Feel free to pass on other useful links in the discussion section. **Videos** * A TED-Ed explainer on basic trolley problems: [Would you sacrifice one person to save five? (5 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg16u_bzjPE&t=1s) * Michael Sandel starts his famous Harvard justice lecture course with some trolley problems: [ Justice: What's The Right Thing To Do?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBdfcR-8hEY) * Podcast with David Edmonds, author of our book, on trolley problems: [Philosophy Bytes - Trolley Problems](https://philosophybites.com/podcast/david-edmonds-on-trolley-problems/) * Podcast with Prof Joshua Greene, a pioneer on applying neuroscience to the trolley problem: [Trolleyology with Dr Joshua Greene (1.22 hr)](https://www.alieward.com/ologies/trolleyology) * TED-Ed on self-driving car scenarios [The ethical dilemma of self-driving cars (4 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixIoDYVfKA0) * A real-life version of the trolley problem staged with unsuspecting participants!: [The trolley problem in real life (35 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sl5KJ69qiA&t=158s) * For fans of *The Good Place*, you’ll remember the ever-indecisive philosophy professor Chidi facing a real life trolley problem: [The Good Place – The Trolley Problem (3 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtRhrfhP5b4) * If you want to brush up on your utilitarianism and Kant’s categorical imperative, see these two Crash Course Philosophy videos: [Utilitarianism: Crash Course Philosophy (10 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a739VjqdSI) [Kant & Categorical Imperatives: Crash Course Philosophy (10 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bIys6JoEDw) **Written** * A nice easter egg for anyone who has read down the page this far (from the Utilitarianism.com website): [Would You Kill the Fat Man?](https://www.utilitarianism.com/trolley-problem.pdf) * Encyclopedia Entries: [Wikipedia - The Trolley Problem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolley_problem) [Wikipedia - Dual Process Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_process_theory) [Britannica - The Trolley Problem](https://www.britannica.com/topic/trolley-problem) * A Conversation piece on AI systems and trolley problems [The self‑driving trolley problem](https://theconversation.com/the-self-driving-trolley-problem-how-will-future-ai-systems-make-the-most-ethical-choices-for-all-of-us-170961) * If you want to play with some moral dilemmas in autonomous vehicle crash scenarios and see how your choices compare globally: [Moral Machine - Moral Decisions and Machine Intelligence](https://www.moralmachine.net/)

JUNE BOOK –'Theo of Golden' by Allen Levy

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty | Sun 7 Jun 2026

June Book Club on AI: Empire of AI

Welcome to Meet the Moment Book Club, where we read books that meet the moment and make sense of it all together. Please see our [group page](https://www.meetup.com/meet-the-moment-book-club/) for a list of upcoming books. After discussing collapse, our third book club will examine one of the key drivers of collapse: artificial intelligence. Karen Hao's international bestseller "Empire of AI" is as illuminating as it is brilliantly written. It's precisely the book we need to be clear-eyed about the much-hyped sector of AI. "An eye-opening account of the tech arms race shaping out planet, from an award-winning journalist and AI insider to the world of Sam Altman and OpenAI... In exhilarating prose and with unparalleled access to those closest to Sam Altman, Hao recounts the meteoric rise of OpenAI and shows us the sinister impact that this industry is having on society." https://www.amazon.com.au/Empire-AI-Inside-reckless-domination/dp/1802064656/ We will be meeting at the Erko Hotel, in the open area in the back. There's no fee, but please purchase your own food/drinks from the venue. If you have trouble getting the book, message me. It's okay if you haven't finished the book by the time of the event, but please at least try -- the more the merrier! If the RSVP list is full, please join the waiting list as there will likely be fluctuations closer to the date. If you RSVP'ed and can't make it, please edit your RSVP so that others can attend. No-shows will be noted and barred from the book club. Please try to be on time as we start and end on time. Look forward to seeing you there.

Sunday Coffee + Kinokuniya Bookshop Browsing

Hello, we are back! **✨** Lets grab coffee/tea/matcha/sweet treat at the dulcet cafe (the cafe right next to the bookshop) and browse Kinokuniya bookshop on 31/5/26 Sunday **Address**: Located in Books Kinokuniya, Level 2/500 George St, Sydney NSW 2000 (Only 3 mins walk from Townhall station!)

Inner West Writers Group - Write Club

Sat 30 May is an in-person event at the Library, starting at 10am. This group started in January 2020 in a beautiful private room granted by Marrickville Library. We have continued to meet in person fortnightly at the Library, with alternate weeks via Zoom. To keep up to date - sign up and receive our messages! The group is flourishing! You will need to RSVP each week for the following Saturday so we can organise the right number of Zoom rooms and Library space to ensure good quality feedback. RSVP's will receive the link. The intention is to give a supportive environment to get traction on your writing project, gain useful feedback, and exchange writing and publishing information with each other. Please note that if you are attending for the first time - you are welcome to observe and listen to how we work. Your turn to read and be critiqued will be invited in the second session. So come along, bring up to 1500 to 2000 words of your latest writing - fiction writers of all types, memoirists, biographers, graphic novelists, bloggists, poets - all writers welcome. You will have up to eight minutes to read out your work, an equal time of constructive critique and feedback from the rest of the group. If you want a tribe of fellow writers to be with you as you finish your writing project, build your author profile, want to get inspired by other writers, or want to just listen and give constructive feedback (we all need beta readers), you are very welcome. This is a free event, but membership is essential in wider to attend. Many thanks to Marrickville Library! For more information, contact Maria, mariaissaris@icloud.com, or Jamie Ramjan (jamie.ramjan@gmail.com) or Sunnie Mosphilis via DM.

Pachinko - by Min Jin Lee

'A Little Lumpen Novelita' by Roberto Bolano

Please join us for an afternoon of wild discussion about a dark but short modern classic! We usually have about 12+ participants as most come from outside of Meetup :)

Gay Ladies First Sunday Bookclub share what you have been reading

Start with Why ~ Coffee catchup where every sip sparks a new perspective.

PLEASE BE ADVISED! We will be outside the cafe, near the stairs to the chessboard area. NOT IN THE CAFE. Discover your ‘why’, build with intention, and connect with like-minded people who are ready to create, grow, and 10X their lives. A friendly meetup with like-minded people that love learning and growing🙌Let’s grab a cuppa coffee or matcha and connect over what fuels our growth. Whether you're into books that challenge your mindset, habits that build a better you, or future goals that you are excited about, lets enjoy talking about how we evolve—this is a friendly space to share ideas, swap inspiration, and cheer each other on!🤗

Speculative Writing Night @ Chatswood Library

Our aim is to provide a supportive community for speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy and horror etc) writers at all levels, offering a platform for networking, dedicated writing time, craft discussions, and publication tips. Whether you're just starting or an established wordsmith, join us on the 4th Wednesday of each month at Chatswood Library. **[RSVP through the library](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/wednesday-speculative-writing-night-tickets-813545274817)** *In addition to RSVPing here on Meetup, please register at the link above so we can keep track of numbers as we are promoting across different platforms.* **Schedule:** **5:30 - 6:00 pm:** Introductions and casual chat **6:00 - 7:30 pm:** 'Focus & Write' session **7:30 - 8:30 pm:** Continue writing, or socialise and share your progress **What to bring:** Your work-in-progress, whether on screen or paper. Connect with fellow writers, explore the speculative fiction realm, and let your imagination soar at our regular writing meetups. **[How to get there](https://libraries.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Locations-and-Hours/Chatswood-Library)** **Public transport**: Chatswood Library is located in The Concourse, 350m from major Chatswood transportation hubs, including Chatswood train station and Chatswood bus interchange. **Parking**: Parking is available at The Concourse car park accessible on Ferguson Lane via Archer St ONLY. Parking rates can be found [here](https://www.theconcourse.com.au/visit/parking/). The library has lift access from The Concourse car park and from The Concourse, ground and upper levels. Parking is also available at Chatswood Chase adjacent to The Concourse on the corner of Archer St and Victoria Ave. The first 3 hours parking are free. **Cycle**: Bicycle parking is available at library entrance. **Accessibility** For participants requiring stair-free access, this is available through the Ferguson Lane entrance through the parking garage. Ride shares or taxis should be directed to drop off at that location. If further assistance is needed please let the Meetup coordinators know in advance and we will do our best to assist. Please be advised that access from Victoria Ave does consist of a significant flight of steps up into the Concourse area. **Our meeting room** We are in the **Creator Space**, straight down the main aisle from the front desk, though the sign may be obscured by books. If you are unable to locate the Creator Space, ask the staff at the front desk for its location; they are expecting us. Do note a 'yes' RSVP on Meetup does not confirm your place, **[please RSVP through the library](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/wednesday-speculative-writing-night-tickets-813545274817)** so they can set out enough places for us on the night. Photo credit: [Cedrik Wesche](https://unsplash.com/@cedrikwesche)

Short Story Club: 'In My Country' by Thomas Ha

Short Story Club is a reading club for time-poor people who love speculative fiction. Just like other clubs we read the story and discuss it... though expect to go deeper into craft as writers. This session we're reading Thomas Ha's 'In My Country', a 2026 Hugo, Nebula and Locus Award-nominated story. This is available free to read through [Clarkesworld #223](https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/ha_04_25/) and its [audio version](https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/audio_04_25e). Meet at 2pm for a preliminary chat (use the time to order food/drink if you like) and we'll start the main event at 2.30pm. No need to bring anything but your thoughts, having read the story. *Image credit: Clarkesworld #223 by Thomas Brissot*