Is killing always bad?

Question

to be more specific is killing humans always bad?

Answer 1

Most of the time it is, but not always. Well to be more concise, yes it is bad but there are a few times when NOT killing would be worse. I think killing should be done only in defense (of oneself or others), and then only as a last resort.

I have a lot of trouble with the notion that there are those who "deserve" to die. "Deserve" is a very subjective term, and the rules governing whether someone should live or die should not be subjective. We may very strongly _want_ a person to die for their actions, but that is not the same thing. That is not punishment or prevention but vengeance, and only serves to make those wanting the death a party to killing.

I also am troubled by using death as a means of punishment, for two reasons. First, death is irreversible, and we have already sent many people to the gallows who later turned out to be innocent. That is murder, plain and simple. Second, death defeats the whole purpose of punishment, because how can you learn your lesson if you're dead? At that point, execution becomes a simple act of vengeance, which itself boils down to killing out of anger.

Answer 2

Killing isn't good or bad. Killing is inevitable. We kill to live, no matter if it is plant life or animal life. We are killers. If your question is meant to address human life, then I will answer differently and somewhat similarily.

Sometimes killing may seem necessary. To protect those you love, to serve your country...etc. Are these honorable reasons? Some might debate them. Again, the term "bad" is subjective. A soldier might believe that he or she is killing for a good cause. A soldier from the opposing side who kills might believe equally that they are doing what is right. Both might condemn the other for their actions.

It is easy for the outside observer to say that both sides are bad and should stop. But when you are the one with a gun pointed at your house and when your children are in danger, you might act differently. Killing is neither good nor bad. It is human nature. We have not evolved beyond such behavior yet.

Answer 3

Do the ends justify the means? Is it in self defense?
Even the most peaceful person can say that there are acceptions to "killing"....like perhaps for child molesters and rapists. And for people who have killed many others.

The question of "Is Killing Always Bad?" Is a very highly debated topic and it always has different answers because everyone's opinion on the matter, and the acceptions, is different.

Answer 4

The Buddist belief is YES. However, I consider that to be an extreme belief... There are times that killing is necessary. In defense of yourself, or others... For the collection of necessary sustenance.....

We all kill nearly everyday. Eliminating it completely is nearly impossible. (Will you check each step you take to avoid killing an ant?)

If you are concerned only with Human killing... Then, self-defense, and killing in the promotion of a worthy goal is generally considered acceptable. (But, be careful how you define "worthy")

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The common belief that "it takes all kinds" is WRONG. There are plenty of "kinds" we could do without: Pedophiles... Rapists.... Those that prey on the weak.... Those "kinds" can be eliminated with extreme prejudice in my opinion.

Answer 5

In any action there is at least a little good and a little bad. Killing is no different. The question is who is it good for and who is it bad for? Even when simplified down to just the person been killed there are many conflicting motives at hand. Guess we have to ask ourselves if our motives in killing are selfish or not? If you can kill selflessly then it is a good thing?

Answer 6

ask yourself under which circumstances you would be happy to be killed yourself, or even better under which circumstances you would enjoy watching someone kill your children.

i'm not convinced by the euthanasia argument. if someone is in intense and incurable pain, perhaps killing them is kinder than allowing them to continue to live. but this doesn't make killing a good thing, only the lesser of two evils.

and the capital punishment argument is just silly. societies with capital punishment have higher murder rates, always have had. if you think capital punishment is a good thing, then you automatically accept that a high murder rate is a cost worth accepting.

i can't think of any circumstances where i would enjoy watching my daughters being killed. so for me killing is always bad.

but you may feel differently.

Answer 7

Well, killing isn't always good, but sometimes it isn't always bad either. I would not want to be in a situation where I would have to make that choice, but if it was a matter of self defense or to protect somebody I loved then I would do what I have to do.

Answer 8

No, killing isn't always bad. When you wash your hands you're killing germs. Unfortunately, killing humans intentionally isn't always bad either. Sometimes it's necessary. Just War Theory addresses this. Here some info on it:

http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/j/justwar.htm

Answer 9

Well,, there is always the "Coup de Grace",
a French term indicating a killing out of mercy for the sake of alleviating the suffering of one who is so injured (in war, for ex) that to leave the person alive would mean torture for him...

... a death blow intended to end the suffering of a wounded creature.. (Wikipedia, here online)... and similarly.... a blow to end the suffering of one wounded and not likely to recover ...(also from Wikipedia - both quotes under the article "Coup de Grace" ....)

Answer 10

Is it? mmmm so war is always bad! so the USA should not have declared war on Japan in 1941 just because of a silly little bombing incident. And especially not Germany, because they had done nothing to the USA.