Absurd Trolley Problems is a thought-provoking and humorous online game created by Neal Agarwal, the developer behind Neal.fun, a collection of creative and interactive web experiments. The game is based on the classic trolley problem a famous ethical dilemma in philosophy where you must decide whether to pull a lever and divert a runaway trolley, choosing between saving some people while harming others.
In the traditional version, the choice is relatively straightforward: do nothing and let the trolley kill five people, or pull the lever and sacrifice one person to save the five. However, Neal’s version takes this moral puzzle to absurd new levels. Instead of simple black-and-white scenarios, players are presented with bizarre, funny, and increasingly uncomfortable choices that push the limits of ethical reasoning.
For example, you might be asked whether to save five people or one dog, or whether to sacrifice your favorite childhood toy to spare strangers’ lives. Later levels get even more outlandish, including situations with billionaires, beloved celebrities, robots, or absurdly exaggerated setups. These scenarios combine humor with genuine ethical dilemmas, making players pause to reflect on their values while also laughing at the ridiculousness of the choices.
The brilliance of game lies in its simplicity. The interface is clean and minimal, showing the trolley track, a lever, and the groups of “victims.” Players make their decision by pulling the lever or not and then the game immediately moves on to the next scenario. Each choice forces you to weigh personal bias, utilitarian thinking, and moral intuition, often leaving you surprised at your own answers.
This game has gained popularity not only because it’s funny but also because it cleverly reveals how complex human morality can be. By turning serious ethical dilemmas into absurd scenarios, Neal.fun encourages players to reflect on the logic (or lack thereof) behind their decisions. It’s both a satire of utilitarian philosophy and a fun personality test you can play in just a few minutes.
Whether you’re a philosophy enthusiast, a fan of dark humor, or simply someone who enjoys quirky web games, is a must-try. It’s engaging, shareable, and perfect for sparking conversations with friends about how each of you would handle bizarre moral dilemmas.
