Can Killing Ever Be Justified?

[lightbulb247]

Just a simple question.

[viv38]

I would feel extremely justified in killing someone who harmed my baby or my elderly dog. Harsh, but there we are !

[emmie]

in times of war - defend your homeland, i can also see that.

[chrisgel]

Lightbulb - // i would pull the lever//

Of course, but in doing so you change from a bystander to a murderer.

[emmie]

but if you don't, then you a bystander who could have done something to help the majority.

[chrisgel]

Emmie - Yes but doing nothing is not usually against the law.

It's only a thought experiment and the majority of people would do exactly as Lightbulb says. I was just giving an example of justified killing in answer to the question.

[ludwig]

Simple answer, yes.

I haven't read the other answers, but I doubt if anyone would say killing can NEVER be justifed.

[pixie373]

I don't think i would, chrisgel. I wouldn't kill someone deliberately.

[chrisgel]

Ok Pixie then imagine it was a loved one (a child for example) on line a) and a stranger on the other line. Would that change things?

[flobadob]

Yes, certain rapists, murderers and paedophiles should be killed instead of given jail time, if even :-)

[beezaneez]

yes it can. i could kill a peadophile , any peadophile and sleep peacefully .

[mariostewart62]

BIG NO

[RATTER15]

Yes under certain circumstances.

[steg]

yes

[mrs_overall]

Under certain circumstances, yes