If you could kill a person and get away with it, would you?

Discussion in 'General Philosophy' started by The Shaw, May 12, 2012.

?

Would you kill someone if you could get away with it without consequence?

Yes 28 vote(s) 51.9%
No 27 vote(s) 50.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. The Shaw Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second

    Member Since:
    Jul 25, 2011
    Message Count:
    5,426
    Likes Received:
    1,033
    Trophy Points:
    243
    Location:
    New York
    There is a story behind this question that will be revealed later.

    Clarifications:
    Saying "as long as it is someone I dislike" is a "yes" answer.

    This person's identity is up to you. i.e. race, gender, age,, affiliation, or history.

    This person does not, or at least would not, necessarily have any friends or family, or record of existence, unless this contradicts the clarifications above.

    Your life and safety, or the life and safety of any person other than the person in question, is not under threat.
  2. Melanthropist Well-Known Member

    Member Since:
    Mar 25, 2011
    Message Count:
    639
    Likes Received:
    283
    Trophy Points:
    103
    Probably not. Unless it was someone I really disliked and I couldn't help stabbing, cutting, or slicing them a few times.
  3. The Shaw Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second

    Member Since:
    Jul 25, 2011
    Message Count:
    5,426
    Likes Received:
    1,033
    Trophy Points:
    243
    Location:
    New York
    That is a yes, you would kill someone if you could get away with it?

    Or was that a joke?
  4. Melanthropist Well-Known Member

    Member Since:
    Mar 25, 2011
    Message Count:
    639
    Likes Received:
    283
    Trophy Points:
    103
    I guess I could. I just don't think it would be likely, even if all consequences were gone.
  5. Spartacus Well-Known Member

    Member Since:
    Jun 16, 2011
    Message Count:
    973
    Likes Received:
    391
    Trophy Points:
    123
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    I am gonna be honest, yea I probably would. But who am I killing here, A little child or gangbanger?

    Edit: Ok so I can kill anyone I like. Yes I would, I can think of a few people who's death would make the world a bit better(although I have never killed someone, so I really have no idea how I would handle it).
  6. The Shaw Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second

    Member Since:
    Jul 25, 2011
    Message Count:
    5,426
    Likes Received:
    1,033
    Trophy Points:
    243
    Location:
    New York
    What does that mean? If given the chance, would you? Look at the clarifications I added to the OP.

    That's up to you.
  7. Melanthropist Well-Known Member

    Member Since:
    Mar 25, 2011
    Message Count:
    639
    Likes Received:
    283
    Trophy Points:
    103
    It means that I think I'd be capable of killing someone under these circumstances, but only in the most extreme situation.
  8. The Shaw Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second

    Member Since:
    Jul 25, 2011
    Message Count:
    5,426
    Likes Received:
    1,033
    Trophy Points:
    243
    Location:
    New York
    The situation is not extreme at all. Your life and safety, or the life and safety of any person other than the person in question, is not under threat.
  9. Melanthropist Well-Known Member

    Member Since:
    Mar 25, 2011
    Message Count:
    639
    Likes Received:
    283
    Trophy Points:
    103
    Well, I probably wouldn't then.
  10. Disco Shrew Member

    Member Since:
    Aug 11, 2011
    Message Count:
    25
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    22
    Absolutely.
    No Mercy. I would make the world a better place. If someone needs to be killed to stop them, they really don't have much hope of being redeemed nonviolently.
  11. The Shaw Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second

    Member Since:
    Jul 25, 2011
    Message Count:
    5,426
    Likes Received:
    1,033
    Trophy Points:
    243
    Location:
    New York
    This person has not necessarily committed a dangerous crime.
  12. Vassilli1942 Well-Known Member

    Member Since:
    Sep 4, 2011
    Message Count:
    2,042
    Likes Received:
    509
    Trophy Points:
    143
    Location:
    Long Island, NY USA
    I don't really think I could just kill someone, without the person being a major threat.
    slydessertfox likes this.
  13. CoExIsTeNcE LeonTrotsky in Disguse

    Member Since:
    Feb 16, 2011
    Message Count:
    2,612
    Likes Received:
    255
    Trophy Points:
    133
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    I believe that killing anyone, for reason's other than self-defense, is abhorrent. Look, I know this question is going to lead into a, "What if it was Hitler." argument, but at any given time, if it were someone you would need to know that you could get away with it, it probably is not Hitler. And, that being said, why should it be up to me to decide if a person can live or die, for it is the lack of thought of this question that allows some monsters to rationalize their actions. So, no, I would not do it.
  14. The Shaw Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second

    Member Since:
    Jul 25, 2011
    Message Count:
    5,426
    Likes Received:
    1,033
    Trophy Points:
    243
    Location:
    New York
    I somehow overlooked this.

    If you would kill Hitler, vote yes.
  15. JosefVStalin El Presidente

    Member Since:
    Feb 6, 2011
    Message Count:
    2,867
    Likes Received:
    5,818
    Trophy Points:
    183
    Location:
    B.C. Canada
    I think the would you kill Hitler argument is the wrong way to look at this. Consider that people during Hitler's time had no idea what things would turn out like. I think it's almost cheating in away to say you would go back and kill some one who did awful things because you already know they did awful things. That completely removes the element of risk in your decision. I think the question of would you kill some one you believe to be the next Hitler is a much more interesting one.
    slydessertfox likes this.
  16. The Shaw Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second

    Member Since:
    Jul 25, 2011
    Message Count:
    5,426
    Likes Received:
    1,033
    Trophy Points:
    243
    Location:
    New York
    Indeed. Thanks for the input.
    But I think I'll just take the hitler part out, because it contradicts the purpose of the thread.
    Also, could you, or any other mod edit the poll to make it so votes could be changed? Or would that erase the votes of those who already voted?
  17. JosefVStalin El Presidente

    Member Since:
    Feb 6, 2011
    Message Count:
    2,867
    Likes Received:
    5,818
    Trophy Points:
    183
    Location:
    B.C. Canada
    I'm pretty sure that would erase the votes.

    Edit:

    No it didn't you should be able to change your vote.
  18. The Shaw Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second

    Member Since:
    Jul 25, 2011
    Message Count:
    5,426
    Likes Received:
    1,033
    Trophy Points:
    243
    Location:
    New York
    You instead allowed multiple votes. Not what I wanted. Whoops.
  19. The Shaw Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second

    Member Since:
    Jul 25, 2011
    Message Count:
    5,426
    Likes Received:
    1,033
    Trophy Points:
    243
    Location:
    New York
    You instead allowed multiple votes, not what I wanted. Whoops.
  20. CrazyManiac Well-Known Member

    Member Since:
    Mar 16, 2011
    Message Count:
    185
    Likes Received:
    29
    Trophy Points:
    68
    Location:
    Finland
    Few people come to mind. But seeing there wouldnt be no consequences after the murder, would lead to a self-conflict inside your mind and constant paranoid of getting caught. If you didnt believe in your actions then.

Share This Page

Facebook: