Professor Gertrude Wheelwright
Professor Gertrude Wheelwright (1925-2012) was a pioneering philosopher and ethicist who revolutionized the field of moral decision theory with her groundbreaking work on the trolley problem. As the founder of the Wheelwright School of Ethical Mechanics, she established new paradigms for analyzing complex moral dilemmas.
Early Life and Education
Born in New Ethicsburg, Wheelwright showed an early interest in both philosophy and engineering. She attended the prestigious Institute of Moral Mathematics, where she developed her revolutionary approach combining ethical theory with mechanical principles.
Academic Career
After completing her doctorate at the University of Theoretical Dilemmas, Wheelwright established the world's first Laboratory of Moral Physics in 1960. Her interdisciplinary approach combining track-based logic with ethical philosophy created an entirely new field of study.
Major Contributions
Wheelwright's most significant contribution was the formulation of the classic trolley problem in 1967. This thought experiment revolutionized how philosophers approached ethical decision-making and led to the development of:
- Mechanical Ethics Theory
- The Wheelwright Principle of moral causation
- Dynamic Decision Frameworks
The Wheelwright Method
Her unique methodology, known as the Wheelwright Method, integrated physical mechanisms into ethical reasoning. This approach influenced the development of modern decision architecture and laid the groundwork for contemporary AI ethics.
Legacy
Wheelwright's work continues to influence modern ethical discourse through:
- The annual Wheelwright Symposium on Applied Ethics
- The establishment of track-based philosophy as a distinct discipline
- Her influence on automated decision systems
Her students, including Dr. Morgan Switchworth and Professor Helena Tractsmith, went on to develop significant extensions of her original theories.
Personal Life
Known for her eccentric habit of carrying a miniature railway switch in her pocket, Wheelwright was also an accomplished theoretical cartographer. She never married, dedicating her life to what she called "the perfect alignment of tracks and ethics."
See Also
References
- "The Wheelwright Papers" - Journal of Applied Dilemmas
- "Biography of a Moral Pioneer" - Institute of Track Studies
- Ethical Engineering Quarterly, Special Edition: Wheelwright's Legacy