1st i want to make it clear that as a student of Philosophy i truly believe that ther is NO ethical argument for killing another person, it is ALWAYS going to be wrong. That said, i also believe that my life or the life of those around me is threatened, i would be prepared to kill in order to defend myself and others.
Q: Do You think you could take a life to defend your own.
A:In the circumstances where my life was endangered by another person, i would be able to take that persons life. I would try to find ways to defend myself "non-lethally" (made difficult when u have no training in martial skills nor very physically strong) , but when push comes to shove i imagine i wouldnt hesitate to defend myself with lethal force.
Q: The BadGuy is threatening not just your life, but your family's. Does this alter your reaction?
A:Yes, i imagine i would be less lenient. When its only myself thats in danger im more in control of the situation and can therefore afford to think of ways to subdue the "BadGuy" (LOL XP!, sorry), but when other lives, especially my family, are involved i would probably feel like i would need to use lethal force more urgently, to prevent their deaths.
Q: Would the difference between the up-close kill, and the point and click of a ranged weapon have a difference on you?
A:Yes, strangely enough i think i might feel worse using a gun than close-up strangle or knife. its just the concept for me, that with close-up weapons your opponent has a chance to fight for their life and an opportunity to surrender if things are going bad for them in the fight. With a gun, once the trigger is pulled, its over, no fighting chance and no opportunity to surrender. And even if i hit a limb (never held a gun, would prbly go for torso, less chance of missing, bullets are designed to be so destructive that their chances of survival would be minimal.
Q: Would having a stranger's life on the line with yours make you change your reaction?
A:Like when i answered the second question, if lives other than my own being threatened i would have no control over their actions, and i believe i would be more quick to go for the kill than if it was only myself. Obviously i love my family more than a stranger, but i dont think i would act too differently in being ready to kill a person threatening my life and the life of someone else, stranger or not.
Very interesting thread and Q's. Like i said, i firmly believe that killing another person can never be defended, but i am also not so naive that i cant imagine situations where someone would feel the need to kill someone in order to defend themselves and/or others. But this is a personal situation, not a political one, right?
