Available on Netflix, The Good Place appears lighthearted on the surface, but introduces some very serious philosophical ideas that are worth exploring far beyond the show. 

One of these concepts is the Trolley Problem, a thought experiment that puts the participant in the hot seat to decide between one of two outcomes – both of which are gruesome. The base of it is asking, “Kill one to save many, or kill many to save one.” 

Surprisingly, it can be related to bridge play.

Here’s what the Trolley Problem can tell you about cards. 

The Trolley Problem and Bridge

The Trolley Problem describes a thought experiment whereby the participant is driving a train that’s going to inevitably cause an accident ahead. 

Seeing the accident coming, the participant is given two opposing choices: Either let the train continue on its current course and run through a single passenger, or change course and have it run over a group of people instead. 

Tough choice, right? 

Within the game of chess, you might choose to sacrifice a pawn in order to save the Queen. In bridge, you might choose to lead the trick with cards you can afford to lose – only so you can turn this move into winning tricks later. 

A few important questions to ask are:

• What am I holding right now versus everyone else?
  
• Which cards can I visibly see in play, which ones have been played and which one do I believe is most likely to come into play next?
  
• What’s the strongest card I hold, and what’s the likelihood of it being beaten?
  
• If it can be beaten, is it worth sacrificing right now? 

Sometimes it’s better to hang on to your honors and play them later, while other situations warrant playing them immediately. 

It’s the question of one-versus-many, instead the question involves either winning tricks now or winning tricks later.

Further Complexity: Suppose You Know More

Knowledge is power, but it can also complicate your next move. 

If knowing someone is a serial killer on one of the tracks that would have gone on to kill thirty more people over the next ten years, would it change your answer? What if all the people in the group you’re heading for are friends – or celebrities? 

Getting back to bridge, the trolley problem during the card game will also become more complicated as you learn more information: As cards are played, you have a better idea of what everyone else might be holding – and this, in this particular example, changes the course you’re willing to take (and the cards you might be willing to play next).