Originally posted by rheymansIf you have the chance to stop it and don't, then you are responsible in my view. To "not do" is also something people "do".
No I would not. I would not have been directly responsible for any deaths. Indirectly, perhaps, but no one would have died because of something that I did. Rather something I didn't do, but as Diane said, I'm responsible for my own actions, not those of others.
Originally posted by WildfireThat's not an option, obviously. It's interesting that most people answer like you did. I think it's because they do not wish to face such a proposition and therefore avoid the question...
Then I would without hesitation kill the person who kidnapped me, thereby setting both of us free.
You know that the a moral question is hard to answer when people try to avoid answering it.
Originally posted by PalynkaSo, you would condemn me for the actions of the highjackers? That hardly seems fair. If I were a pilot, and given the order to shoot, and didn't, I can see being punished for disobeying orders, but I can't see being held personally responsible for any deaths at all. Yes, the right action to take is clear, but it is not easy, and I would not do it, rightly, or wrongly.
If you have the chance to stop it and don't, then you are responsible in my view. To "not do" is also something people "do".
Originally posted by Palynkabrilliant palynka... you are so right,thats exactly what i was going to say about killing the hostage taker,its the win win we all look for rather than win lose scenario
That's not an option, obviously. It's interesting that most people answer like you did. I think it's because they do not wish to face such a proposition and therefore avoid the question...
You know that the a moral question is hard to answer when people try to avoid answering it.
Originally posted by PalynkaOf course most people don't want to face such a propostition, it's asking you to make one of the most, if not the most difficult decision of your life! The noble thing to do would be to let yourself be killed so that the other person can walk free, but every fiber in your being would resist such a fate.
That's not an option, obviously. It's interesting that most people answer like you did. I think it's because they do not wish to face such a proposition and therefore avoid the question...
You know that the a moral question is hard to answer when people try to avoid answering it.
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Originally posted by WildfireYes, that's what makes the situations interesting. Your emotions, your compassion, and your logic all tell you different things. The question is which one do you listen to in each situation. I think in practice, most people go with their emotions. Ideally, we'd like to think we are compassionate. And when the question involves high numbers, then logic comes into play. I think that the hostage question is more difficult because you see the other victim as a person. In the case of the plane, if you see the plane as an object (A plane), then it is logical to shoot it down. I can't help but see the plane as the passengers in it. So that's why I can't make the logical choice. I make an emotional one instead, regardless of the consequences.
Of course most people don't want to face such a propostition, it's asking you to make one of the most, if not the most difficult decision of your life! The noble thing to do would be to let yourself be killed so that the other person can ...[text shortened]... alk free, but every fiber in your being would resist such a fate.
Originally posted by PalynkaIn all complete honesty I would kill the person to be set free.
I also think that one is also relatively easier. I think the trick is the "kill an INNOCENT" part.
Let's say someone kidnaps you and a stranger and then tells you:
"If you kill this person, you will be set free. If not, you will die and he will be set free."
What then?
Fear is a powerful emotion, add that to being a parent who has others depending on me for their own welfare, I feel I would take the option to freedom.
This is not the answer I would like to say of course, I would like for my morals and personal respect for life to shine through. To be able to say I would take the high road would be great. But then I've never been, and probably never will be, in that situation.
After all is said and done I'm just a coward who would do just about anything to save my own butt.
I've watched shows on the second world war and how soldiers would grab a mother with her two children and ask her which one she wants to keep. If she doesn't make a chioce they both die. This would be a nightmare!
What would you do in that situation? (killing the soldier is not an option)
Originally posted by mokkoAh! Sophie's Choice. I don't have children, but if I did, I don't know what I would do. By the way, similar situations do happen nowadays. Sometime ago there was a case in England where a couple had conjoined (AKA Siamese) twins. I think they shared a heart, but the heart was not strong enough to keep both twins alive. The parents did not want to choose which twin to sacrifice for the sake of the other, but a choice had to be made, or both twins would die. Because the parents didn't choose, the doctors went to court to have the choice be left up to them. The doctors won the case and chose to sacrifice the twin named Mary. What was the deciding factor? Mary, unlike her sister, was mentally retarded. Very sad story.
In all complete honesty I would kill the person to be set free.
Fear is a powerful emotion, add that to being a parent who has others depending on me for their own welfare, I feel I would take the option to freedom.
This is not the answer I would like to say of course, I would like for my morals and personal respect for life to shine through. To be abl ...[text shortened]... be a nightmare!
What would you do in that situation? (killing the soldier is not an option)
Originally posted by mokkoWell said Mokko.
I would give my life in a heartbeat to save my children.
I would never want the death of another human being on my conscious.
With that said, I would kill anyone who harmed my children.
A life is something you cannot give. Should not be taken lightly. The older I get the more I think that life is a great gift. However, as you say, harm my children, (their life that is) your life is forfeit. My heart breaks at the innocent people that have lost their lives to criminals, terrorist, and such. (They do NOT deserve to live). I could choke one to death with my bare hands. My sympathies to those who have to go thru such pain. The vast majority of people are trying to make ends meet, trying to be a good human beings, as for the people who would take another's LIFE, for no reason, other than self defense of themselves or another? They do not deserve to live.