← Famous thought dilemmas
Dilemma 6 of 10
The Bystander Effect
People witness something wrong, but no one helps, because each assumes someone else will.
Imagine
A crowd. A crisis. Everyone’s watching — and waiting.
Origin
A psychological phenomenon observed after the 1964 murder of Kitty Genovese; studied by Darley & Latané.
Ask yourself
What makes someone take the first step to help?
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Show all ten dilemmasHide the list
- 01The Trolley ProblemDoes saving more lives outweigh taking a life through your action?→
- 02The Experience MachineWould you trade truth for the feeling of joy?→
- 03The Ship of TheseusWhat makes you you — the parts, or the continuity?→
- 04The Heinz DilemmaDoes morality bend for love — or for survival?→
- 05Buridan’s AssCan indecision itself be a dangerous decision?→
- 06The Bystander EffectWhat makes someone take the first step to help?→
- 07The Omelas DilemmaCan happiness be built on someone else’s suffering?→
- 08The Prisoner’s DilemmaIs mutual trust stronger than self-preservation?→
- 09Experience vs. MemoryDo we live for how things feel in the moment — or how we recall them?→
- 10The Lifeboat DilemmaWho decides who’s worth saving when not everyone can be?→