decot@cwruecmp.UUCP (Dave Decot) (02/27/84)
I realize that the following will sound terribly awful and everyone will
probably want to move out of whatever state I live in or deport me, but
this is a question that seriously puzzles me, and therefore is a valid
question. Unconsidered flames will not be answered.
Is killing human life in its various forms "wrong", "evil", "bad",
or "stupid"? Is it ever "right", "good", or "wise"?
WHY or WHY NOT?
I want answers (by MAIL) from everybody, but you don't get partial credit for
answering only "yes" or "no". You must DEFEND your answer. If you
cannot answer the question because it is phrased "badly", that is
an acceptable answer. You may subdivide your answer among the various
forms of human life (if you think there are any such divisions), or
may qualify your answers depending on specific circumstances. I am
not exclusively or even primarily interested in abortion of fetuses, but
that is relevant.
I will attempt to somehow summarize the results of this survey in a fair
manner and post it, if there are sufficient responses. If it is impossible
to summarize without significant distortion, I will make a digest available
to interested parties. That digest, if any, will be announced; please do not
send inquires before such an announcement.
The following are expected; you should refer to them in your response, if
appropriate:
a) Killing humans is wrong because it just is (by definition).
b) Killing humans is wrong because it says so in the religious document B.
c) Killing humans is wrong because I know Deity G thinks it is.
d) Killing humans is unwise because Agency J will punish me for it.
e) Killing humans is unwise because it aggravates people, and causes
unrest and hatred, decreasing my/our own security.
f) Killing persons from place F is acceptable.
g) Killing decreases the surplus population, leaving more resources for
me/us.
h) Killing humans is unwise because it violates basic human rights.
i) I tell people killing is wrong so they won't kill me/us, but I really
don't feel averse to killing.
j) Killing is usually wrong, for reason Z, except in the case of people who
commit act(s) M, for which it is completely right to kill them.
k) Killing is not wrong, nor is it right, but it happens.
l) Killing humans is unwise because it decreases the number of people
available to do useful thinking and/or work for everyone's, including
my/our, benefit.
m) Killing persons engaged in military activities is acceptable.
n) Killing any living thing is wrong, for a reason related to reason Z.
o) Other
p) Killing persons with physical characteristic(s) R is acceptable.
u) Killing hopelessly old/damaged persons is acceptable.
These letters were chosen with some mysterious mnemonic meaning that may be
potentially decipherable (like UNIX -flgs) to others, but they were chosen
primarily for my use and imply no relative worth.
To all those who choose to respond, thanks for your time. It is appreciated,
so I regret that it may not be possible to send acknowledgements to each
of you.
Dave Decot "No quote, we are being impartial today."
decvax!cwruecmp!decot (Decot.Case@rand-relay)