Can killing be justified?

[eezaak]

So you're saying that if you were in my position you would've prefered if the war hadn't started?

For 6 million lives, yes. Nothing personal but I feel it's for the greater good

Yeah but the "greater good" is always more complicated.

You'd also need to account for all the babies that wouldn't have been born if the War never led to the generation of the Baby Boomers.

However think about all the extra families there would be with 6 million more people. There might have been a boom due to WW2 but there would have been a much more stable population growth and families on average would live in better conditions due to the gradual change

The only problem with this is that the world was in a depression leading up to WW2. Also if America hadn't gotten involved towards the end of the war, they wouldn't be an economic superpower today.

It was the rebuilding of Japan and Germany which provided a "bulwark" against Russia, while also serving as a market for American consumer goods (note: the whole Eastern Europe bloc was a huge economic boon to American exports as well).

 

[Mcface]

I'm not the best at moral conundrums....but if say you know who a serial killer or similar criminal is,is it wrong to bring him to the justice he deserves?Can you justify it?If not what makes it wrong?Is it right to let muderers live while their victims die?Like I said I'm morally grey,What do you all believe?

I totally believe you can justify it.
"He was going to kill me" is all I need. Someone puts my life in danger, you can bet to hell im taking him out, and you can bet I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

 

[Mcface]

I think in a military context, yes. Obviously, that doesn't extend to killing civilians, but if you and another person are on opposing sides, and both trying to kill each other, then I think it's justified to kill them.

Depends on the war, I suppose.

Self-defense also counts. If a person can't stop someone trying to kill them without facing severe punishment themselves, there's something wrong. There should definitely be regulations on it though.

I would go as far as saying it doesn't depend on the war. The average infantryman probably isn't concerned with the moral rights and wrongs of the war, they are fighting and doing their job, so is the enemy. They shoot at each other, and it's a mutual agreement, it's justified, us or them.

 

[leeloodallasmultipass]

Would you let Hitler live? Exactly

yes, only to lock him in a see through box in the middle of Israel, unable to move nor speak. So he can witness the race he hated so much, go about life in all their glory.

 

[tsb247]

In matters of life and death, justice is a trivial thing compared to ruthless practicality. If killing a person prevents more deaths, then it is not only morally justified, it is a moral imperative: in terms of actual events, which is all that matters, a person who fails to kill a multiple murderer would, essentially, be a murderer from any perspective that truly matters. But if a murderer could just as easily be thrown in jail and left to rot, then killing is unjustified. Net effect is still a preventable death. When life is on the line, it is unjustifiable to let oneself be governed by flawed, biased systems like humans instinctive sense of morality.

You sound like someone who has a background in philosophy; specifically ethics. I remember tackling this very subject from that very stance.

 

[The Diabolical Biz]

Well it depends. The only killing I personally are really in favour of is euthanasia.

I think life-long imprisonment is a preferable punishment, morally, than the death penalty

 

[The Diabolical Biz]

Would you let Hitler live? Exactly

yes, only to lock him in a see through box in the middle of Israel, unable to move nor speak. So he can witness the race he so justly hated, go about life in all their glory.

I'm sure this is a typo, but did you say so 'justly' hated?

 

[Jonatron]

Euthanasia. That's when killing might be justified.

Otherwise, menial labour for the betterment of society.

 

[kannibus]

I will bow to a higher authority.

Saren: "Rule 1: Never kill anyone without a reason. Rule 2: You can always find a reason."

 

[The3rdEye]

Not justified per se but it can be rationalized.

People are more likely to kill one person who intends to kill/harm 20 others as opposed to killing one person whose death may save 20 others.

Would you let Hitler live? Exactly

Congratulations sir, you have surpassed Godwin's Law. Although, there is an interesting discrepancy between foresight and hindsight.

 

[Grounogeos]

Knowing that they're a serial killer, I think it'd be justifiable to do the same thing to them. People whine about how executions are "inhumane," but consider how some of these monsters' victims get killed; compared to what they went through, things like the electric chair and lethal injection are little more than a fucking (lethal) slap on the wrist.

Of course, I wouldn't just kill him/her right away. The authorities wouldn't see me any differently if I did that, so I'd have to alert the police about them. Unless one of the victims was someone close to me - then the killer better grow eyes on the back of his head.

 

[Xanadu84]

In matters of life and death, justice is a trivial thing compared to ruthless practicality. If killing a person prevents more deaths, then it is not only morally justified, it is a moral imperative: in terms of actual events, which is all that matters, a person who fails to kill a multiple murderer would, essentially, be a murderer from any perspective that truly matters. But if a murderer could just as easily be thrown in jail and left to rot, then killing is unjustified. Net effect is still a preventable death. When life is on the line, it is unjustifiable to let oneself be governed by flawed, biased systems like humans instinctive sense of morality.

You sound like someone who has a background in philosophy; specifically ethics. I remember tackling this very subject from that very stance.

Actually, I do have a minor is Philosophy, but I bet that even more of my view comes from my major in Psychology. But yes, I am a utilitarian to the very core.

 

[RamirezDoEverything]

yes, Hitler needed to die, Mussolini needed to die, damer needed to die, the BTK killer needed to die, the list goes on and on.

my favorite movie, I belive they were justified...

 

[leeloodallasmultipass]

Would you let Hitler live? Exactly

yes, only to lock him in a see through box in the middle of Israel, unable to move nor speak. So he can witness the race he so justly hated, go about life in all their glory.

I'm sure this is a typo, but did you say so 'justly' hated?

oh god i just read that... lol completely out of context and not what i wanted to sayy... incoming edit lol!

*edit* its like late and im currently in bed with the laptop on my lap (ironic) so excuse the nubness and out of context/wrong wordness!

 

[Rabarberskurk]

Would you let Hitler live? Exactly

Instead of killing him I would travel back in time and help him get into the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna he was rejected from when he was young, maybe then we would remember him as the wonderful artist Hitler instead of the dictator.

 

[The Diabolical Biz]

Would you let Hitler live? Exactly

yes, only to lock him in a see through box in the middle of Israel, unable to move nor speak. So he can witness the race he so justly hated, go about life in all their glory.

I'm sure this is a typo, but did you say so 'justly' hated?

oh god i just read that... lol completely out of context and not what i wanted to sayy... incoming edit lol!

*edit* its like late and im currently in bed with the laptop on my lap (ironic) so excuse the nubness and out of context/wrong wordness!

Perfectly fine, I was just checking, not making any accusations, it's why I asked instead of ranting a bit. Glad to clafify though

 

[Marter]

Only if I, or someone I care about is about to die first. I would kill in self defence of myself or someone else.

 

[Jaranja]

Killing is never justified.

Especially when we're talking capital punishment, because what if with new evidence the poor sod that's already pushin' up daisies turns out to be innocent? Seriously, that would suck ass big time.

So if someone's just about to slit your throat, you wouldn't kill them?

 

[DazBurger]

Would you let Hitler live? Exactly

I would... You know... For teh lulz.

He would be an interesting person to have a conversation with.