Human or Animal?

[michel]

Another hypothetical question. In some strange circumstance you are holding...another human...and your favorite animal, your absolute favorite animal. You need to drop one. Which one do you drop?

Let's change the human arround, now the humans a murderer, who would you drop?

Opinions.

Oh, you can drop both by the way.

I'd probably have to drop the human and keep the cat or the dog - but thar would only be because I couldn't carry the human - I'm getting old and weak. If I had all the strength, I suppose I'd have to let go of the pet; I could talk to the human.

If the human's a murderer, he might be a serial murderer (You know, one of those guys who can't stand corn flakes):jiggy: - I guess I'd drop him; if he's killed once, he'd probably have a go at me!

 

[Druidus]

You equate intelligence to value of life? This perspective strikes me as very strange and the possible consequence of moral relativity gone wrong. Please justify this. I know several people who are generous, amazing human beings, however, they are not bright by any means. Are they any less of a person than a selfish, egotistical genius?

I equate the value of one life to the value of any other. Non-human or not. If I have nothing to go by, as both the non-human and the human are strangers to me, I'd go by intelligence. If I knew, for a fact, that the human would be a detriment to the world, I'd save the non-human, rather than the human.

One thing that's always struck me as odd is that a lot of Christians never understand that I value all life as equal, though a few do. I've always felt this way, even as a Catholic.

 

[Nick Soapdish]

Thank you for your response Druidus. When I read my previous question now and it comes off a bit condemning. Sorry about that.

I equate the value of one life to the value of any other. Non-human or not. If I have nothing to go by, as both the non-human and the human are strangers to me, I'd go by intelligence. If I knew, for a fact, that the human would be a detriment to the world, I'd save the non-human, rather than the human.

How do you determine whether someone is a detriment to the world?

One thing that's always struck me as odd is that a lot of Christians never understand that I value all life as equal, though a few do. I've always felt this way, even as a Catholic.

Following this, do you believe that a dogs life is of equal value as that of a gnat?

 

[Druidus]

How do you determine whether someone is a detriment to the world?

A murderer is a good example. I'd say lawyer, but some lawyers are good.

Following this, do you believe that a dogs life is of equal value as that of a gnat?

A dog is a gnat, is a child, is an adult, is a flower, is a tree, is a blade of grass, is a goat, is a cow, is a chimp, is a... (etc).

 

[Lycan]

I would drop (throw) the murderer.

 

[Cr0wley]

Hey, murderers can be intresting people... >

 

[Saw11_2000]

If you were my favourite animal, I'd keep you.

You just made me cry.

 

[Druidus]

You just made me cry.

lol :biglaugh:

 

[Saw11_2000]

Let's add some spice. BAM!

What if the human was a relative/isgnificant other/friend/some other positive figure rather than a murderer? Would that influence your decision to toss the animal?

 

[Cr0wley]

No. Pandas are heavy, no matter what...

 

[Nick Soapdish]

A dog is a gnat, is a child, is an adult, is a flower, is a tree, is a blade of grass, is a goat, is a cow, is a chimp, is a... (etc).

I sense that I misunderstand you. Lets take the two following hypothetical actions committed by the neighbor's kid:

1) The kid takes WD-40 and a lighter and starts frying ants in the ant hill outside
2) The kid takes a gun to school and starts shooting classmates

Which action would invoke the most concern and/or anger in you? How do they compare from a moral perspective? Afterall, ants have a much better track record as far as detriment to the ecosystem as compared to humans.

 

[jewscout]

I'd have to drop the animal

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Wolves are on the threatened list, so I would drop the human. Whether it be a complete stranger, murderer, or relative.

 

[Saw11_2000]

If wolves were plentiful...?

 

[Cr0wley]

1) The kid takes WD-40 and a lighter and starts frying ants in the ant hill outside
2) The kid takes a gun to school and starts shooting classmates

I'd say the kid killing the ants would make me more angry, because the kid that shoots up the school is triggered by something. It's usually kids that are picked on by the others. So once the roles are reversed, the other kids become "victims" all of a sudden.

That's just how I see it.

 

[Druidus]

I sense that I misunderstand you. Lets take the two following hypothetical actions committed by the neighbor's kid:

1) The kid takes WD-40 and a lighter and starts frying ants in the ant hill outside
2) The kid takes a gun to school and starts shooting classmates

Which action would invoke the most concern and/or anger in you? How do they compare from a moral perspective? Afterall, ants have a much better track record as far as detriment to the ecosystem as compared to humans.

Both would make me angry, but it depends on other circumstances as well (was the child abused at school/home, in both cases). In general, the loss of an ant's life would make me as angry as the loss of a human's life.

Thus, I never kill insects. Ever. If I need a repellent, I'll squirt some real lemon/lime juice on my body.

Neither do I kill humans, however.

 

[Snowbear]

Wolves are on the threatened list...

They're still plentiful here. Someone with political clout decided it was OK to shoot wolves from airplanes as "predator control" so people can have more caribou and moose to hunt

That said.... I would hold the wolf and drop the shooter or the intelligent person(s) who decided to let 'em shoot the wolves....

 

[Draka]

Let's add some spice. BAM!

What if the human was a relative/isgnificant other/friend/some other positive figure rather than a murderer? Would that influence your decision to toss the animal?

Earlier I would have said I'd drop the murderer but with this...I'd have to drop the cat.

BAM! Here's your spice. Now what about a loved one who committed murder? Be it self-defense or righteous in your eyes or not. How would you decide then? ...You still love/care/admire this person, what do you do?