Do you believe in something enough to send others to die for it?

[Whaleboy]

As many know, I'm a pacifist and a libertarian. However, would I send other to die, or make others die for it? (Ignoring the pacifist clause that dictates the answer) Of course not!!

I'm hardly what you might describe as pragmatic, so others may differ.

Discuss

[Giancarlo]

[Stefu]

So, if there's a house burning, you don't believe that firemen should try to rescue the people in there?

[Giancarlo]

Also like saying a policeman can't do his job because it is dangerous.

[Richelieu]

This is also known as: The counselor Troy syndrome.

I think i would. If anyone puts me in a position where i would be called upon to make that type of decision, but only if it was understood from the start that i may have to make it.
Otherwise i'd probably say no way.

[Az]

So, if your only possibility to, say, save the planet, would be to force people to their deaths, you wouldn't do it?

( using a hyperbole here to demonstrate a point. )

[Pekka]

Sure I would send people to die. If it is for greater good, and what is that? If the outcome is less damage, then it is greater good. If it is absolutelty necessary. Sure.

[CerberusIV]

Wrong question! In the situation you describe most people would send others to die if they thought it necessary. Those who cannot bring themselves to make such a choice get pushed aside by someone who will.

The moral issue is whether you would send someone into a situation where they might get killed if you were not prepared to go yourself (assuming the situation justified it and that you could go yourself).

[Az]

It would be more ethical for me to go myself, but sending them would be ethical, as well ( that is, if the task is something very ethically positive )

[Jack the Bodiless]

Insufficient data. Who am I sending in place of myself?

There are all sorts of dangerous situations that I would send Osama Bin Laden into, if I were able to do so.

[Az]

Opressing murderer!

[Pekka]

Azazel, good point. I'd definitely go myself too. I wouldn't 'order' anything that I wouldn't be willing to go too, taking the lead myself. But then again, I'm little light in the head .

[Richelieu]

I'm assuming that the only way anyone would send anyone else would be that they themselves are more valuable than the ones they send.

[Richelieu]

Originally posted by Azazel
So, if your only possibility to, say, save the planet, would be to force people to their deaths, you wouldn't do it?

( using a hyperbole here to demonstrate a point. )

Of course i would. But i assume that, if i'm asked to make that decision, it is because i am in a position to make it and that i did not get there by chance, but because i was qualified.
I would also expect that i knew all along that there was a possibility i could have to make that decision.

Did Bush expect to have to give the order to shoot a plane down on 9-11 ? I don't think he expected it. But he knew from the stsrt that there was a possibility.

[Starchild]

I'd send people to their painful death if it helped me get a cup of coffee. Or even just for the fun of it.