Poll: Poll: Would you save the life of a stranger or the life of a loved one/close friend?

[Spartan Altego]

So yeah, loved one or stranger? Who's life is more important and why? This thread came about after the fierce debate over the "Save a pet or stranger's life," thread, which is linked below. Many of the posters debated that animal life was somehow lesser (or equal to) than human life, or that it was morally wrong to let the human die. The results of the poll were...polarizing, to say the least.

So I figured, let's remove the "Life of animal<human" argument so we can get to the juicy, tasty core of the argument: Are your personal feelings more important to you than the life of someone you don't know? It's all about emotions, baby.

Assume that whatever happens, no social or physical consequences will befall you beyond however the person you've saved feels about your choice. (i.e. Mom's pissed, rest of world doesn't give a damn) You'll probably still feel guilty, though, because I'm assuming you're an average human being.

Link to Origin thread:http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.386360-Poll-Your-Pet-is-Drowning-and-so-is-a-Stranger?page=1

ALSO! I would ask that we avoid demonizing someone else's choices (say, if someone chooses the loved one). There's no reason why we shouldn't be able to debate with each other respectfully. Feel free to say that you FEEL someone's choice was wrong, but don't say that your idea of right and wrong is absolute FACT. It usually just leads downhill.

My choice?

...

Stranger. Because my friend/loved ones would be so disappointed with me for choosing them.

EDIT: Poll got messed up a bit, but I'm assuming you guys can tell where it's going. Just mentioning that there is no Take A Third Option trope here, again. You have the choices in front of you, no way around it.

 

[Flamezdudes]

Phff, what kind of choice is this? I won't give a shit about the stranger in that situation, I would immediately save the life of my loved one/close friend.

 

[Spartan Altego]

Phff, what kind of choice is this? I won't give a shit about the stranger in that situation, I would immediately save the life of my loved one/close friend.

Which raises the question: Have you considered how they might react? I mean, later, after the "Thank you for saving my life," effect has worn off. you'd think any reasonable person might be upset that you let another person die to spare yourself pain.

(Maybe I just watch too many movies and real life people don't react like that at all.)

 

[Flamezdudes]

Phff, what kind of choice is this? I won't give a shit about the stranger in that situation, I would immediately save the life of my loved one/close friend.

Which raises the question: Have you considered how they might react? I mean, later, after the "Thank you for saving my life," effect has worn off. you'd think any reasonable person might be upset that you let another person die to spare yourself pain.

(Maybe I just watch too many movies and real life people don't react like that at all.)

Well i'm pretty sure at least 3/4 of my best friends would be fine with it at least. Not sure what my family would think, but they better be grateful in my opinion.

My other, main best friend might have a problem with it since he kinda altruistic and likes to help others and make others happy a lot.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I don't think I can make this decision unless both of them were drowning, possibly in a body of water.

[sub][sub]Loved one, obviously, this isn't even a hard question. Monkey Sphere and all that.[/sub][/sub]

 

[Spartan Altego]

I don't think I can make this decision unless both of them were drowning, possibly in a body of water.

[sub][sub]Loved one, obviously, this isn't even a hard question. Monkey Sphere and all that.[/sub][/sub]

I'd switch it to drowning, but then I'd be mimicking the original thread a little too much.

 

[BathorysGraveland]

Well, if I'd save my pet over someone completely unknown, I think I would damn well choose someone I care about over an unknown. I hold my family and close friends in higher regard than anyone else. Just the way it is.

 

[Risingblade]

That awkward moment when you find out the stranger you just saved is a child molester o.o

 

[The Last Nomad]

Phff, what kind of choice is this? I won't give a shit about the stranger in that situation, I would immediately save the life of my loved one/close friend.

Which raises the question: Have you considered how they might react? I mean, later, after the "Thank you for saving my life," effect has worn off. you'd think any reasonable person might be upset that you let another person die to spare yourself pain.

(Maybe I just watch too many movies and real life people don't react like that at all.)

I doubt they would say 'Oh you shouldn't have saved my life, that guy/girl we don't know or care about would still be alive if you let me die'
Just don't get that logic?

I don't see how anyone would pick a stranger over a friend. Even with the guilt afterwards, your still going to have let someone die. I don't see how letting a friend die could even be a choice here. (unless they are really old and the stranger is a millionaire- things like that might change my mind, but in general, the stranger gonna die).

I think a better moral question would be: Would you save a friend from being confined to a wheelchair (or something similar) or a stranger's life. I think that would make a more interesting discussion as I really don't see why anyone would choose a stranger over a friend, that doesn't sound like friendship to me.

 

[Psykoma]

Save the loved one. No debate would even enter my mind.

I think the op just wanted to make a poll that would end up looking like a penis+testicles.

 

[Baron von Blitztank]

Neither, I'll save the drowning Steak-Bacon. Sure it makes my avatar sexist to Mass Effect 3's ending but who cares? BACON!

 

[Toy Yota]

A close friend I know is suicidal, so stranger. My friend would be angry is I saved him.

 

[Spartan Altego]

Phff, what kind of choice is this? I won't give a shit about the stranger in that situation, I would immediately save the life of my loved one/close friend.

Which raises the question: Have you considered how they might react? I mean, later, after the "Thank you for saving my life," effect has worn off. you'd think any reasonable person might be upset that you let another person die to spare yourself pain.

(Maybe I just watch too many movies and real life people don't react like that at all.)

I doubt they would say 'Oh you shouldn't have saved my life, that guy/girl we don't know or care about would still be alive if you let me die'
Just don't get that logic?

Fairly certain that'd be survivor's guilt. Though yeah, most probably wouldn't be angry with you unless they were suicidal, or really old or otherwise dying.

Save the loved one. No debate would even enter my mind.

I think the op just wanted to make a poll that would end up looking like a penis+testicles.

Huh, what are you-
...
This.Is.Awesome.

A close friend I know is suicidal, so stranger. My friend would be angry is I saved him.

That's surprising. You wouldn't save him anyways? That seems like an odd choice: if you care about your friend that much wouldn't you want to let him live to get over the whole 'suicidal' thing? Not judging here, the choice just seems confusing.

 

[Ampersand]

With all due respect that is a stupid question.

 

[Spartan Altego]

With all due respect that is a stupid question.

Eh it's cool. For my first thread, this could certainly be worse.

 

[Toy Yota]

A close friend I know is suicidal, so stranger. My friend would be angry is I saved him.

That's surprising. You wouldn't save him anyways? That seems like an odd choice: if you care about your friend that much wouldn't you want to let him live to get over the whole 'suicidal' thing? Not judging here, the choice just seems confusing.

Well I can't help him out because his Schizophrenia is the main reason why he is suicidal. Taking him to a mental hospital would make it worse for him.