If you were given a button that could destroy all of humanity if pressed, would you press the button? Why?

Question

The button's not attached to a nuke or anything like that and the rest of the world would be unchanged; humanity would just...disappear. Please, no sarcasm this time. Just be honest.

Answer 1

we are already doing that.
no extra button needed.

from a different point of view:
would be fun to see a the new evolution of all the remaining creatures on the basis of a pre existent civilization.

Answer 2

No, I would put the button in the back of my closet... no one ever finds ANYTHING in there!

I would make sure not to tell ANYONE about the button... I wouldn't want any governments to have it as a chess piece. I would continue to work for environmental causes and peace all the while knowing that there is a way out if the situation ever gets so bad that it's unsaveable... if we entered into a third world war or if EXXXON and Wal-Mart hijacked the US government anymore than they already have...

I would at least know that I had the button...

Answer 3

I'd use the button to, in effect, hold the world hostage.

I'd demand a global unification and a removal of any of the boundaries that separate us as a species (such as nation, religion, etc).

I'd demand a global rejection of oil as a fuel, and, until a reliable alternative source of energy is found, I'd institute car days: specific days of the week you can drive your car. These will be very limited.

I'd demand a global scientific effort towards actually doing something proactive against global warming, as well as replanting forests and recycling.

I'd demand a universal education system be created, open for all, that properly teaches and shapes our youth.

Hopefully no one shoots a bomb at me first.

Answer 4

No, because I believe humanity should be trimmed down, not destroyed. And if humanity was gone the world would also lose a lot of beautiful things. Take love for example. As a species it seems our ability to love greatly exceeds that of other creatures on our world. There would be no more art and no more music.

Answer 5

I think that it would drive me crazy knowing that I have this button that I could push. And if you never pushed it then you would never know if humanity would disappear. That could drive you crazy. Do I do it or do I not. I have the power but do I really. I think that everyone would push it, it might just take some people longer then others. And if you never pushed it you would always wonder what would have happened if you would have.

Answer 6

Interesting question. It would cease the stupidity of religion, but at the cost of scientific progress.

Considering the USA is the only bassackwards industrial country with a preponderance of religion, I'd have to judge that indeed, science may yet win out in the end.

So no, no I don't think so.

But let's be clear -- in the utilitarian concept of morality, it'd be a close call. It'd end so much suffering that it'd almost perfectly equate the loss of potential.

Answer 7

No, I would not press the button, in fact that special "button" is being pressed on slowly every second by influential ppl such as greedy politicians, corruption causing the Earth and Nature to tremble, ozone, war, starvation...shall I continue?

Answer 8

NO. I believe most people are inherently good

Now if I could selectively use the button on people who are scum... well that would be something.

Definition of scum: Rapists, Murderers, those who think blowing up people in planes or buildings is OK, and yeah puppy millers ,etc.

Answer 9

yes i press the button immediatly
humans are from the greedy species of earth. humans destroy the earth daily with fight, politics, animal cruelty , cutting forests.
humans must be eradicated from earth

Answer 10

No,I will not press the button,because I too will be destroyed.