Moral Question

Jin · 02-28-2002, 09:16 PM

If you were given the choice to either recieve 1 billion dollars and in the process have one person in the world die that you didn't know, or you be killed instead. Which would you choose? I would chose the second, but before you answer, think about what you would actually do if you were forced to make either decision.

Ginkasa · 02-28-2002, 09:19 PM

When you say that one perosn dies that I don't know, do you mean I don't not know that person or I don't know who will be killed?

I'd probably choose the billion dollars because

1. I'd live
2. If I did choose to die the other guy wouldn't get 1 billion would he?
3. Its probably better for one person to die and another perosn be happy than it is for just one perosn to die right?

Xantar · 02-28-2002, 09:33 PM

When I really think about it, I'd take the first. I don't really think I could live with myself if I knowingly caused someone else to die. Yeah, by being successful, by definition I cause other people to fail, but it's not quite as direct. Call me a sop, but I just don't think I could enjoy those billion dollars. If I chose to take that money, I think I'd invest it somewhere and start giving the earnings to charity for the rest of my life to make up for what I did to that other person.

Of course, this situation isn't really complete. What if the other person were dying of a disease—had only days left to live anyway? I could see myself taking the money in that case. On the other hand, if it were some really important person whose death would cause a war (like perhaps the current leader of Afghanistan), I don't really think I could take the billion dollars.

But if I had no idea who it was that was going to die, I don't think I could take the money. I'm just not capable of placing a value on human life that way.

Great topic, by the way.

*prepares to hand out some doubloons*

marionette · 02-28-2002, 09:37 PM

well not being so serious, i'd take to 1 million dollars, and the person to die i would chose to be osama bin laden

if i had to actually make that decision..i dont know it would be a hard one. but i'd probally chose the 2nd one..

Joeiss · 02-28-2002, 09:37 PM

I would take the billion dollars. Why? Because like Link said, it would be better if one person was happy. I mean, why not take the billion? I think Xantar said in a previous thread that if you put a billion dollars into a savings bond or something, lets just say at 3%, then you can make 30 milllion a year. So, if you think that you know who dies because of your choice (it would be hard to know, because many, many, many people die each die) then donate that 30 million to his/her family or something.

Mechadragon · 02-28-2002, 09:40 PM

I think I would take the money as well. I hate to be a greedy arse but thats just the truth

gekko · 02-28-2002, 09:42 PM

Put it this way. If someone walked up to you and asked if he could kill you, would you say yes or no? I wouldn't die for no reason. I wouldn't let someone kill me because he makes a threat that he will kill someone else in the world.

People die everyday. Tons of people get murdered, it's not anything new. People die everyday and you don't know who they are, and you never care. It's not like we can't stop it, can't get a job protecting these people. We just don't care enough to. I don't see why this situation would be any different.

It's his job to protect himself, just as it's my job to protect myself. The only thing I have to worry about is getting myself out of there alive. He should be making an effort to escape.

I would never give my life over a threat. There are few things worth dying for, this isn't one.

One Winged Angel · 02-28-2002, 11:03 PM

I would probably take the billion dollars. It's not for the money mostly, it's I wouldn't give up my life for someone I dont know. Plus you wont live anymore. You could go to heaven or hell. Maybe there isn't either of them. I would want to live my life to the fullest.

If it was someone I knew that would be killed it would be a totally different subject.

Perfect Stu · 02-28-2002, 11:28 PM

When I think about it now, I would let the person kill me.

But if I was in the situation, I would probably take the money, and donate it all to cure some disease...that is, after I kill the bastard that makes the offer

GameMaster · 03-01-2002, 01:39 AM

I would take the money, sadly, there are plenty of people who deserve to die. That's the human species for you though.

nWoCHRISnWo · 03-01-2002, 06:47 PM

I wouldn't even have to think about that for a second, I'd choose the money. No doubt about it.

If I die, it wouldn't matter to me who's alive, because I wouldn't exist. I put my life above everything.

Jin · 03-01-2002, 06:50 PM

I think it's alright to take the money if you donate a good percentage to a good cause, but if you just keep it and spend it selfishly that's just greedy. I couldn't enjoy spending that money if I knew I had taken away someone's life. It's like if you steal a Snickers from the grocery store, while you're eating it, it'll be more of an unpleasant guilt trip than something satisfactional. Well, atleast for me.

D-Man · 03-01-2002, 07:12 PM

Well, I'm more like Chris, I put my live above anyone else's (for now atleast cause I'm single). If I don't know the guy, I don't think I'd care much about him, and I'd happily take the billion dollar.

I don't know why some people would rather die than kill someone else..

TheGrimReaper · 03-01-2002, 07:32 PM

Id take the money.

Joeiss · 03-01-2002, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by D-Man
Well, I'm more like Chris, I put my live above anyone else's (for now atleast cause I'm single). If I don't know the guy, I don't think I'd care much about him, and I'd happily take the billion dollar.

I don't know why some people would rather die than kill someone else..

Because some people here actually care for people that they do not even know! :eek: I know, it is shocking. I guess we just have to put up with those damn nice people.