But I fucking love cursing. Also, there's always something that motivates people. Doesnt have to be something they think on the spot, can be subconscious aswell. Like in the example you provided, without thinking it they realize that if they knowingly leave people to their possible death, they will feel horrible about it later, and will prevent this by rushing to their aid.
I would say that they are motivated by their concern for the welfare of other human beings, though you do raise an interesting point.
If they are concerned for their fellow human beings, that means they would experience consequences if something were to happen to those people.
It's my view that those are externalities, as I've said. They aren't motivated by that. They didn't perform the act with that thought in mind.
I'd call it a completely, and utterly selfish act. By doing so, you are putting your friends and family at extreme emotional harm, all so you can feel like a hero or some shit. Also, to 'Die for your country' implies military service - I see little more selfish than ending the life of another human being for your benefit, and especially so when you have little understand of geopolitics. You're essentially murdering, condemning their family, possibly young children too, to a life of suffering and poverty, simply because you hate another culture, or some news report said these people are bad. Stop living by this delusion that soldiers are heroes, or do what they do out of anything other than hatred.
I have nothing against you joining the military, link. I hope you get the chance to be a hero in the next big war.
I would never join the military, and I don't revere soldiers or war, but pragmatically speaking, the existence of an armed forced is a necessity, and soldiers are not committing some great crime, even though I may or may not agree with their reasons for being one.
In our modern world, yes, the military is an unfortunate neccesity. If I may clarify, my post was directed moreso at the soldiers in western nations (UK, US, AUS, NATO countries, etc) whose nations are not at all at threat, and who only join the military 'cos they want to be able to murder people. If you live in a country that is being invaded, or is in some sort of serious danger/catastrophe, joining the military is both justifiable, and admirable. Those who join the military in my country, in the US or the UK, I hope they get shell shock. Edit: If you aren't one of those types, then I apologize for the insult, as I did you the misjustice of assuming you were.
Indeed, all those terrorists really love the west and would never do anything to hurt them. Damn those american capitalist dogs, how dare they do what nations have done since the beggining of civilization and form a military.It's not like they are china, who rightously have the largest military on earth to defend themselves from the western imperialists who constantly try to invade. All the western soldiers do is kill and slughter babies, they certainly didn't build schools, roads or deliver medicine in Iraq & afghanistan, and they definitely never ever help with disater relief mission, nope they just kill innocents. China's military on the other hand can do no harm, just look back at the tinneman square massacre, the chinese army certanly handled that nobly. All western soldiers deserve ptsd, I hope they lose their minds and commit sucide or go on rampages because they are evil westerner pigs.
Do you think you're the first person to bring this type of sarcastic argument to me? I've seen it many times before -It isn't clever. It means you can't think of any intelligent argument to justify your view point.
So being ordered to shoot at someone who is being ordered to shoot at you is the same as Joe Smith murdering that random guy across the street? Makes perfect sense.
I think that if there was a purely selfless act that it would instantly become unselfless because people would be like OH LOOK AT ME DOING THE PURELY SELFLESS ACT IM SO COOL AND GENEROUS. So no there is not.
If it were a kill or be killed situation, it would be justifiable. As of right now, no conscription exists in either of our countries - People join the military with the Intention of ending the lives of other people - Of fathers, sons, brothers and sisters. Of the whole 'I want to protect freedom' ' I want to die for my country' thing - If you were to ask a Taliban, or Al Qaeda soldier, they would use the exact same lines.
And even in countries with conscription, like Finland, joining the military is not 100% necessary, you can perfom civil service for example, and if you refuse to have anything to do with the conscription, you go to jail for a few years or something. I bet even in countries with more strict laws than Finland its not 100% necessary to be forced to join the army and kill people against your will. Good point.
No, it's a terrible point. His conclusion is sound, but the logic used to reach it is flawed. It is literally impossible to do something you do not find preferential to other options, and therefore the one that benefits you the most, whether those benefits be internal or external. Even if the perceived gain or reward is not egocentric, you still have the satisfaction of helping another person, which, in choosing to do so over helping yourself, you have already displayed it as being the superior choice in your eyes. If you value helping others over helping yourself, then you are still making the choice that is the most valuable to you.
Link I had just given up being philosophical in this thread. Like seriously this thread is 4 pages long because people like to hear themselves type.
