Need help answering an ethical question

[revolutionist]

I've been thinking about this one for a while, and I still don't have an answer.

If a murderer asks you a question about the location of a person that he is going to murder, should you lie?

 

[M House]

Hard one.....yes

 

[revolutionist]

Hard one.....yes

It is a hard one because it is essentially a debate between consequentialist ethics and deontological ethics.

 

[Kludge]

I dropped the Non-Aggression Principle a while ago. It is too simple to be used seriously.


You should not only lie, but stop him/her yourself if you actually care about the person.

 

[M House]

Actually that might be too much to ask of someone who's inept with his brain. They probably will just send them to kill someone else if they tried lying. So here's an easier answer.....say nothing.

 

[phill4paul]

I've been thinking about this one for a while, and I still don't have an answer.

If a murderer asks you a question about the location of a person that he is going to murder, should you lie?

Ethically, I would have to ask how much he would be willing to pay for said information.

 

[revolutionist]

I think I've decided. The best way to deal with it would just be to say nothing.

 

[Kludge]

I think I've decided. The best way to deal with it would just be to say nothing.

Can't really evade the question if it's asked directly.

 

[M House]

I think you're gonna make his brain explode. So when asked directly.....I don't know.

 

[revolutionist]

Can't really evade the question if it's asked directly.

No, you just refuse to respond.

 

[Kludge]

No, you just refuse to respond.

You don't think an imminent murderer will care that you're staring at him guiltily as he's demanding to know what he'll now know you know?

 

[revolutionist]

I think you're gonna make his brain explode. So when asked directly.....I don't know.

You're an asshole. If you think this thread is stupid, then go away and don't read it anymore.

This is actually a serious ethical question, very smart people have answered in the opposite way you have. Immanuel Kant said that you shouldn't lie to the murderer.

 

[M House]

If this was a very serious ethical question you'd realize you are jeopardizing your life and maybe someone else.

 

[revolutionist]

You don't think an imminent murderer will care that you're staring at him guiltily as he's demanding to know what he'll now know you know?

You just flat out say, "I won't tell you."

 

[Paulitical Correctness]

You just flat out say, "I won't tell you."

Then you die.

 

[dannno]

Give them __Insert the RPF Mod You Hate Most Here___'s address

 

[revolutionist]

Then you die.

Not necessarily. He might TRY to kill me, but that doesn't mean he will succeed. I have a right to act in self defense.

 

[Paulitical Correctness]

What if the person asking the question is a woman who's been victimized by the failed system (ie raped and had her entire family killed by the person being sought).

 

[Kludge]

You just flat out say, "I won't tell you."

And if he aggresses upon you and threatens you with death?

If he were to press your neck against a wall with his arm and demand you tell him, would you really accept death to prevent making a decision which is "ethically gray", and may result in two unnecessary deaths (three if the murderer is executed)?

 

[M House]

Is she hot?