RPGDX > Forums > Off Topic > Fun moral dilemma questions! Answer, or ask your own!

XMark

This is one I came across, and I'm really not sure what my answer would be:

Would you kill someone you love, if doing so would save the lives of 1000 people you don't know?
_________________
Mark Hall
Abstract Productions
I PLAYS THE MUSIC THAT MAKES THE PEOPLES FALL DOWN!

Adam · Mage Joined: 30 Dec 2002 Posts: 416 Location: Australia

No. We let thousands of people starve to death every day. If your not going to give your money to save some of these people, I doubt you are going to take the life of someone you love for it.
_________________
https://numbatlogic.com

Mandrake · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 6:39 pm Post subject:

here's a related question, but more ethically challenging:

Would you let someone you love kill themselves in order to save the world?
_________________
"Well, last time I flicked on a lighter, I'm pretty sure I didn't create a black hole."-
Xmark

http://pauljessup.com

XMark · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 6:43 pm Post subject:

Nah, that one's easy. If you don't, then the world ends and they're dead anyways.
_________________
Mark Hall
Abstract Productions
I PLAYS THE MUSIC THAT MAKES THE PEOPLES FALL DOWN!

Bjorn · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 9:09 pm Post subject:

I think Mandrake's question has more to it. Most of the time people are trying to save the world, it will be cases of hereticalness or fanaticism, for example say I would be going to give my live for free software to safe the world. I really hope somebody will be prepared to stop me, and I would try to convince people they can mean more alive than dead in such cases.

To answer the original question, I don't think I would, it probably depends on whether my love for the person has been or has a good chance of being answered. Otherwise it might be better to let it go and look for the one among the 1000 you just saved, assuming they will know who saved them, which is also a rather important factor to the whole business (in reference to the starving and hiv-infected people in Africa and similar areas).

biggerUniverse · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 2:43 am Post subject:

hmm... I think love that does not ask for love in return is the purest. Therefore, I would call it moot whether the one whom you love loves you in return.

It's more do you act out of selfish- or selflessness? And further, if you act out of selfishness, is it true love, or merely to protect your heart?
_________________
We are on the outer reaches of someone else's universe.

Bjorn · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 6:26 am Post subject:

Mandrake · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 12:46 pm Post subject:

Actually, I'd have to agree with Bjorn. Love that doesn't ask for love in return is more akin to stalking, lust and obsession. Love, on the other hand, is a mutual concept that requires consent and agreement on both ends of the spectrum. It's crappy american movies (like Titanic) and bad french bardic poetry (the troubadours- who created the modern romantic concept of love- but more as an excuse for wooing and sleeping with married women than as an idealistic romanticism) that have brainwashed most men (at least in the states) into believing this sappy drivel.

Anywhoozle- the crux of the ethical question was phrased perfectly by Bjorn. And also- saving the world doesn't necessarily mean "everyone will die otherwise". Saving the world can take many meanings, esp in a cultish indoctrination. For example, let's say the man/woman you love is in some weird cult. You love them, so you try to play along hoping that they will eventually wear out of the phase. Then the leader of the cult tells everyone that they must sacrifice themselves for the greater good of man by doing some sort of suicide attacks on "the enemy" as the leader perceives him. What do you? Your love is gung-ho to save the world, and doesn't mind dying to do so.
_________________
"Well, last time I flicked on a lighter, I'm pretty sure I didn't create a black hole."-
Xmark

http://pauljessup.com

biggerUniverse · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 4:40 pm Post subject:

Could one not love a book or a favorite peice of art? Love someone from afar? Love a land or an idea? These do not require love in return. So too can you love another person in this manner. It is a pure love that does not ask love in return to define itself.

Ask a mother if she will love her children even if they do not return that love.
_________________
We are on the outer reaches of someone else's universe.

XMark · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 4:51 pm Post subject:

Ooh, that brings up another question. Would you prefer to love someone who will never love you in return, or be loved by someone you will never love?
_________________
Mark Hall
Abstract Productions
I PLAYS THE MUSIC THAT MAKES THE PEOPLES FALL DOWN!

Mandrake · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 5:12 pm Post subject:

biggerUniverse · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 5:41 pm Post subject:

bay · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 8:01 pm Post subject:

whats all this bickering and musing about love, go make RPGs.

.02$

Adam · Mage Joined: 30 Dec 2002 Posts: 416 Location: Australia

biggerUniverse · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 8:26 pm Post subject: