The Value of Human Life (a poll for BigSooner)

[J. Stew]

Ah cmon people, death is a part of life. In one situation you are killing, in the other, you are letting what is natural happen. The fact that 85% would rather kill than accept the difficulties of life is why people suck and why nobody is really happy.

[henrikrh]

How can we be certain that killing a loved one instead of 10 starving kids is the greater good? We can't, not no way, no how. Now that the moral aspect is gone because we can't predict the outcome of our actions in a holistic sense all I ahve left to go on is what serves me best. Therefore, warm up the death-ray.

[hmkpoker]

I'd go after you too, were it not for the fact that your icon does an important service to this community ^_^

[r3vbr]

I'd rather the whole african, american and asian continents to dissapear, with everyone in it, than to have my mother/father/brother dead. And it's not even close.

[purnell]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd rather the whole african, american and asian continents to dissapear, with everyone in it, than to have my mother/father/brother dead. And it's not even close.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow. I'd give up my own life, but I don't think I could take another. I guess we see this issue very differently.

What if instead the death ray killed 10 vibrant young Americans with bright futures (the key phrase being bright futures)?

And to answer the original question, I could not kill the 10 African children. Can you imagine that on your conscience? I'm an atheist and I couldn't live with myself after that. Sad as life can be we have to play the hand we are dealt. Even if I can ease the suffering it would only be a temporary solution. Come on man, don't you watch movies? You just don't [censored] with fate! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Malachii]

Pretty sure 85% qualifies as a "vast majority."

[AlphaWice]

This is a shaky argument, because you dont bring iteration into the picture. This is sort of like prisoners dillema. Play prisoner's dillema once, and everyone opts to "tattle." Play an iterated-version of prisoners dillema, and suddenly everyone is alot nicer.

The key is control. If you are the only one choosing, of course you should choose "death ray." But the choices become nicer when more people than yourself have the power.

[Malachii]

Good post Alpha.

in regards to the reason given of people finding things morally wrong with "murdering" 10 children, it is also considered murder if you let to your most beloved son/brother/sister/mother/father die. letting someone die when u have the full power to stop it is just the same as killing them yourself.

so basically changing the wording but asking the same question would you rather kill your most beloved friend/family member or 10 random starving children in some far off country who you have never met/nor will meet.

also in response to
"I could not kill the 10 African children. Can you imagine that on your conscience? I'm an atheist and I couldn't live with myself after that." -above
can u imagine the thoughts of letting a loved one die on your head?- if you can, which is unbelievable, you need to check into a psyc ward, nuff said

-another note- i would hate to be part of your family or one of your freinds if you wouldn't save my life for 10 random people you never met, nor will ever come in contact with!