If your life were threatened, would you fight or flee?

Answer 1

My experiences with this have granted me the wisdom to know my answer, therefore I do not have to ponder what course of action I would take; I know...

I WOULD FIGHT,... as I see it as having nothing to lose...

---... To say that dying without reaching one's aim is to die a dog's death is the frivolous way of sophisticates. When pressed with the choice of life or death, it is not necessary to gain one's aim... To die without gaining one's aim IS a dog's death and fanaticism. But there is no shame in this... ---
- The HAGAKURE

--- Meditation on inevitable death should be performed daily...
...There is a saying of the elders' that goes, "Step from under the eaves and you're a dead man. Leave the gate and the enemy is waiting." This is not a matter of being careful. It is to consider oneself as dead beforehand. ---
- The HAGAKURE

Answer 2

It it were threatened by words I would most certainly stay and fight it out. I'm so not a confrontational person until pushed by injustice. Then my mind opens up and the words start flowing out of no where. I don't think someone would stand a chance with me in a verbal threat.

Were it to be a physical threat, I'd have to use my logic. No matter what I do, I can't fight a gun. It would win every time. If I'm up against 30 foes.......I'm thinking I'd lose as well. A fierce animal with sharp teeth and claws? pfffffft........i'm toast!

But if my kids were threatened? Nothing would stop me from fighting. Even if it meant stepping in the line of fire. *ok that sounded too dramatic......can I come back and change that once I find a more "me" way of saying that? thanks*

But overall........I'm a middle road person that will only fight when threatened. I'd much rather fight than flee.

Answer 3

This would depend on the situation. If I thought there was a chance of me (and anyone with me) to escape, that would be my first choice.

Most likely, I would fight. I am a martial artist and a law enforcement officer so I would be able to defend myself pretty good. I'm also a pretty slow runner, so my attempt to flee would be most likely be unsuccessful, and I'd just end up having to fight anyways, only then I'd be out of breath.

Answer 4

Depends on your odds and the situation. I like my odds of flight when I'm being chased by a stampede. Fighting that doesn't seem to make sense. On the other hand, at the edge of a cliff, you'd want to fight - no point in fleeing and just dropping of the face of the earth!

Answer 5

Really good question... If my life was threatened, my first reaction would wanna flee, but it's our survival insticts, and this is how we usually react. But then personality plays an important part here.
Some people would just be stunned, and they would probably freeze. Others just run without figuring out what's goin on...
Also depends on the situation. For an example, if the house caught fire, instead of running away from the fire, i mother would run into it, to save her children, even if it means she get's harmed doin so. People usually defend the defendless in these situations. Depends on the person again.
Alot of things go into it really, but i'm one of those people who would usually fight.
Hope that answered your question.

Answer 6

It really depends on the situation and what weapon I may be facing. There is a time to fight and a time to run, just like in the song Coward of the County by Kenny Rogers. I would also take into consideration the possiblity that my family could be harmed...I would definitely fight at that point.

Answer 7

There is no logical explanation here. There are too many factors involved to give a definitive answer. For example, what kind of neighborhood are you living in? (Socio-economic factor)

Are you from a dysfunctional or abusive family? (Psycho-dynamic factor)

Your reaction to a life threatening event depends on ones personality, temperament, and sustained behavior patterns. Not to be nosey, but why do you ask?

Answer 8

It totally depends on the situation. If it's an animal threat you have a split-second decision of fight or flight. If the threat is human it's a little more tricky. I just keep myself very well protected with a large knife and potent toxic sprays in my bag. And if worse comes to worst I can breathe fire and expel electricity from my fingertips at any enemy at anytime.

Answer 9

Depending on the circumstances, flee first and if that was no longer an option, fight.

Answer 10

I'd fight for the life of my daughter. I'd fight for the lives of those I love. No matter what. Would I win? depends on the battle. I am no martyr, however, so if there is a way I can escape and save my daughter I'm running like hell. <~~~mind you, I am no runner. chances are I'll be caught. *shrugs* at least I tried. I'd rather 'throw myself under the bus' than to watch a loved one die. Call me selfish, call me foolish, heck, call me cliche but never call me one who doesn't give her all for the people she cherishes the most.

Answer 11

Human males have a natural, fight and/or flight, instinct. Human females have a natural, tend and befriend, instinct. This is most often applied when there is a threat of PHYSICAL danger..Although some females will fight, and human males who have been held hostage have been known to sympathize with their captors in the tend and befriend fashion. I'm sheltered so it's not my problem.~smiles