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submitted 1 year ago by TheBananaKing@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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Would pulling the switch be a felony? Would not pulling the switch be one? Would a preservation-of-life defense hold any water?

Are there any notable cases about this?

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[–] Bjoern_Tantau@feddit.de 1 points 1 year ago

A law handling a similar situation was struck down as unconstitutional in Germany.

It was a law that would have allowed fighter pilots to shoot down passenger planes to prevent 9/11 style terrorist attacks.

So I guess in Germany not pulling the lever would be the answer. At least for government officials.

But constitutional judges could probably still rule either way, as the trolley problem is much simpler than a potential terrorist attack.