If there were a great war would you sacrifice the few to save the many, and kill people to save other thousands?
2007-01-03 06:25:57 · 12 answers · asked by Faust 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I prefer to die rather than to kill anybody.
And I would not kill anyone under ANY circumstance.
2007-01-04 12:59:31 · answer #1 · answered by apicole 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has already happened. America dropped the atomic bombs on Japan to end WW2.
Of those killed or permanently, horribly maimed only a very minute percentage were in the military .A huge percentage ,over 70% were women,children an the elderly.
This was done as the American military realised that, Japan was intending to literally fight to the last man,woman and child.
There was also fears that other countries were getting prepared to take up direct arms against America and its Allied forces were concerned regarding the amount of war dead and failing domestic economies at home.
WE all just have to make sure no country, is ever allowed to do this to another again.Even in war.
It reduces us to a level of being less than humane,even less than human.
2007-01-03 06:52:50 · answer #2 · answered by sistablu...Maat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think the "ends" justifies the "means"... I think there is just a conclusion that one comes to......which is the end of a matter.... But, not necessarily the "means" of it.......
If a necessity, a few would be sacrificed for a great many..... It is just the way things are...... Why sacrifice thousands for a few?....... Yet, there must be a purpose and it must be great!.
Your sister,
Ginger
2007-01-03 07:10:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes. Every war ever fought had the premise that the ends (victory/sovereignty) would justify the means (Death).
Some wars have proven that true. Some haven't. And yes, when the "end" is truly honorable and beneficial, sacrifice is warranted. As I feel it was for veterans of many (but not all) of the wars fought on our nation's behalf.
2007-01-03 07:25:20 · answer #4 · answered by freebird 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that in some cases the end justifies the means. When it's for the "greater good." I certainly don't advocate war but if it's in self-defense it's justified. I think it's wrong to wage war, but if you are attacked, you have to defend yourself. If that means that a few people will die in protection of their country, it's tragic but it would be more tragic for thousands or millions to die. The brave soldiers who sign up know what they are risking when they agree to fight. What bothers me about war (one of the many things) is that too many innocent people wind up being killed. I believe the guilty should be punished, not the innocent. (For instance, I believe in capital punishment: destroy one evil person rather than let him live in prison, get out one day & kill more innocent people.)
2007-01-03 06:36:20 · answer #5 · answered by amp 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Saying that the end justifies the means implies that what is ethical or unethical is determined on the basis of consequences. This may lead to the dilemma that what are normally considered "unethical" actions could be viewed as ethical, if the ends justified "unethical" acts. For example, if the consequences are good, it could be ethical to murder, pillage or rape one'e enemy. But that seems counterintuitive.
2007-01-03 08:42:31 · answer #6 · answered by sokrates 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I would - as long as it wasn't one of my family members. But to sacrifice oneself for the many is truly an awesome undertaking - think the 9-11 heroes who took the plane into the ground.
2007-01-03 06:31:11 · answer #7 · answered by justwondering 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, I would do everything in my poweer to stop this war. even if it means to sacrifice my own life to safe the billions of people worldwide.
2007-01-03 06:34:48 · answer #8 · answered by Fat guy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no it doesn't and i wouldn't sacrifice anyone human life is too precious to be discarded like that but humanity as a society isn't based on that instead of all for one and one for all all people think about is themselves
2007-01-03 06:49:05 · answer #9 · answered by Tiffany P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Violence must never be justified. The means always colour the end.
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
2007-01-03 06:32:25 · answer #10 · answered by LindaLou 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No... actually the end never justifies the means.
Where did you get your mixed up notion?
2007-01-03 08:25:45 · answer #11 · answered by JRSK007 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋