Poll: Who would you rather let die, your pet or me?

[Dogstile]

Wow. I expected this poll to be seriously lopsided in favour of saving the OP. Seriously guys? You'd put the life of an animal before a human?

I mean, yeah, people have a bond with their pets, but still. I would never, NEVER, put an animal's life before a human's.

What, you'd rather have the thing thats been loyal to you most of your life (my dog was born on the same day as me, and I had him with me until he died, so in some cases, all of your life) die for someone you've never known?

The dudes outside my monkeysphere, him dying does not affect me. My pets however? They've been loyal to me most of my life, why would I betray their love for someone i've never spoken too?

 

[PAGEToap44]

I have three dogs. I like my dogs. Therefore you die.

 

[Trolldor]

My pet. Easily.
Don't know you, don't care for you. My dog, however, has been part of my family for several years. He has a life and personality all on his own, and is very much loved.

 

[TakerFoxx]

Well, seeing how the dog's not really my dog and that it's been consistently waking me up in the wee hours of the morning with its barking and whining...looks like it's your lucky day!

 

[TornadoFive]

Wow. I expected this poll to be seriously lopsided in favour of saving the OP. Seriously guys? You'd put the life of an animal before a human?

I mean, yeah, people have a bond with their pets, but still. I would never, NEVER, put an animal's life before a human's.

What, you'd rather have the thing thats been loyal to you most of your life (my dog was born on the same day as me, and I had him with me until he died, so in some cases, all of your life) die for someone you've never known?

The dudes outside my monkeysphere, him dying does not affect me. My pets however? They've been loyal to me most of my life, why would I betray their love for someone i've never spoken too?

I would value human lives above everything else. Yeah, I wouldn't willingly kill my pet, but if it was a straight choice between him and a human being, there's no queston about it.

Human beings will always have priority. You hear on the news everyday about someone who's been killed. You never hear that about a pet, unless it an extraordinary death.

 

[dementis]

My cat was a kitten of my other cat, so I saw it being born and have looked after 2 generations. You are a stranger I've never met, so what if i'm selfish because of this choice being selfish increases my life quality.

 

[Detective Paul]

I would save you. Pets are a nicety , yet a human life means loads more to me than an animal. Yes I love my animals with all my heart , but the life of a person is a lot more important than the life of an animal to me. Sorry if I insulted you it is an opinion deal with it.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

Death is all around us in the world. It happens every day. It is not selfishness that makes me save my cat, but the fact that I do not know you at all doesn't make me feel inclined to save you. My cat is important in my life. You, however, will have no effect on my life upon death. In this situation:
Cat > You

 

[Watchmacallit]

If I got to know you I'm sure I'd choose you...But chances are even if I did I might be inclined to do the job myself >=]

 

[ryanxm]

i would SAVE you

its not that i hate my little chiwawa dog thing but i dont really like it

i know that seems like im making it out to be an object but really its just a pain in the ass more often than not and even if its not being one at the time its not really all that loveable

now if it were my old dog lady...oh i loved that german shepered

but either way i figure you have a LOT longer to live than my pet and you have family (most likely)

 

[Randomeaninglessword]

My pet, hands down. I know and love my pets, and just because somebody is human doesn't make them any more important to me.

 

[Dogstile]

Wow. I expected this poll to be seriously lopsided in favour of saving the OP. Seriously guys? You'd put the life of an animal before a human?

I mean, yeah, people have a bond with their pets, but still. I would never, NEVER, put an animal's life before a human's.

What, you'd rather have the thing thats been loyal to you most of your life (my dog was born on the same day as me, and I had him with me until he died, so in some cases, all of your life) die for someone you've never known?

The dudes outside my monkeysphere, him dying does not affect me. My pets however? They've been loyal to me most of my life, why would I betray their love for someone i've never spoken too?

I would value human lives above everything else. Yeah, I wouldn't willingly kill my pet, but if it was a straight choice between him and a human being, there's no queston about it.

Human beings will always have priority. You hear on the news everyday about someone who's been killed. You never hear that about a pet, unless it an extraordinary death.

Its not even about willingly killing, its a simple choice of who dies.

And you know that news thing, about people dying? I do what everyone else I know does. We go "well that sucks", shrug, and continue on with our day.

Caring about something that will never affect you in /any/ way just doesn't make sense. Humans are not better on principle. The OP could be an evil murdering rapist who on the side sells drugs to kids for all I know (sorry OP, I don't think you actually are, but its an example). I don't know this, but he could be. What I DO know is that my dogs and my cats have been there for me, and i've been there for them for as long as I can remember.

Betraying something you love because "your own species is better" isn't an acceptable reason for me, unless the species was at risk.

 

[Vonnis]

I'd save my pet. I don't know you, so frankly I don't care about you or what happens to you.

 

[Davey Woo]

I'd keep my pet.
In response to your edit. I wouldn't have thought it is selfish to save your own pet.

I think most people would choose something they are genuinely attached to over something they have never met before. Given the same situation of you and a friend, I'd keep the friend, my pet is my friend, and I have far more reason to want to keep it alive than you, who I don't know at all.

 

[Labcoat Samurai]

I can't even begin to fathom how much I disagree with you.

You can't fathom how much you disagree with him?

Yes, the vast majority of humans are self aware and capable of higher thought, and your point is?

That their lives are therefore more worthwhile. Human beings are amazing. They are the only known places where proper minds reside. They are the only species on this planet with which you could have this conversation. Another poster made some absurd comment about human beings being the only animals capable of evil. If that is the case, then they are also the only animals capable of good. Animals have emotions, and they have thoughts... after a fashion... but human beings are special.

I'll turn it around on you. What do you think gives life value? For example, would you think it callous of me if I decided to save my coffee mug over your pet? Would it make a difference if I mentioned that the coffee mug has some sentimental value? It was a gift from my mom back when I started college 12 years ago, and it's been my go-to mug ever since. Does your pet have more right to live than my coffee mug? Do you? And if so, why?

Also, I most certainly would not "squash a spider without a second thought." They're living creatures

A fairly meaningless distinction. You could program a robot to do the job of a spider. Would you have an ethical problem with breaking a robot?

 

[Ladette]

Every day when I get home my ferret hops up and makes the cutest sound in the world. Then I put him on my shoulder and he nuzzles up against my neck. No matter how I feel my day is instantly brightened.

You dying would not effect me in the slightest, if my ferret dies i'll be very sad. Nothing personal, call me selfish if you like, but I don't care about you.

 

[Numb1lp]

I wasn't sure, until you went off on the entire f*cking human race. So...

 

[Lucifron]

By instinct, I would save the thing that I hold closer.

No.

Unless your pet is crucial to your survival and cannot be replaced, you would, by instinct, choose to let the member of your species live.

OT: Escapist forum, 60% of everyone here fail ethics forever. How disappointing.

 

[Dfskelleton]

I'd like to think that I'd save you, but really, It's not that simple. It's between a valuable human life and the life of animal that doesn't really have a conscience, but is still loved as a family member to me.
But then again, why am I the only one that can help you? I could yell "Hey, that guy is (insert danger here)! Help him!", an I would help my pet while someone else saves you.

 

[sleeky01]

Depends...

...Are you willing to sit in my lap and purr?

Thanks for the chuckle. I needed it.