Moral Conundrums

[IhateClowns]

#17 A huge comet strikes the Earth and wipes out 90% of life and all infrastructure. Would you want to continue to live in such a decimated world or would you be tempted to take your own life or would you try and make it work? What if you had a significant injury?

 

[Riles]

#17 A huge comet strikes the Earth and wipes out 90% of life and all infrastructure. Would you want to continue to live in such a decimated world or would you be tempted to take your own life or would you try and make it work? What if you had a significant injury?

I think baring any psychological issues, in this situation it reverts back to basic needs/instinct -survival is number one.

 

[IhateClowns]

#18 Are people obligated to be good Samaritans? Why or why not?

 

[SmileyGirl]

#18 Are people obligated to be good Samaritans? Why or why not?

In an ideal world everyone would be a 'Good Samaratin' but in reality that is never going to happen due to people being too scared to become involved in a situation or really just don't give a flying f*** because they're too selfish to care about other people! But I like to think there are still alot of 'good' people out there that would help someone if they were in need

 

[PeteHulbert37]

I find it interesting that in times of community crisis most folks are easily willing to extend a helping hand. However, in times of personal crisis many folks are afraid to reach out to others for help.

 

[teknight]

#18 Are people obligated to be good Samaritans? Why or why not?

Where does the obligation stem from?
It could be legally enforced, but then you're not "obligated" you're forced in order to avoid penalties.
It could be a cultural/ upbringing kinda thing, and, in acting out a preset script (being the good Samaritan in a given situation) that does resemble an obligation...although, if it becomes engrained enough, it'd become a sort of "cultural reflex" and a reflex is not an obligation.
Do you do good things 'cause it's expected of you (this is in the same vein as above, really)?

Also, what makes for a good Samaritan? I think it's situational- if you try to help, but make things worse, surely you would have an asterisk next to the moniker in the Good Samaritan Hall of Fame. I think the good Samaritans get their titles only after it's been confirmed they've done good (there's a graveyard issue with the sampling, resulting in a bias, is what I'm saying).

Wasn't the cynic's road to hell paved with good intentions?

Let me try this another way:
What is the nature of the obligation? Is it legal, is it cultural? Is it inherent to human nature (to appeal to your feel good, fuzzy side)?
What are the consequences of the act? Is it the intent or the result that determines one's GS status?

What are the circumstances under which a good Samaritan will arise? I mean, think of the case of Kitty Genovese- a lot of people had the opportunity to do the right thing, but, everyone thought others would step up and help her, and therefore, none did.

To phrase things yet another way- Should we do good? It's hard to say "No" to that one, isn't it? But can we let ourselves get away with not doing what we see as good? That's for you to decide.

 

[BradBigBrain]

#17 A huge comet strikes the Earth and wipes out 90% of life and all infrastructure. Would you want to continue to live in such a decimated world or would you be tempted to take your own life or would you try and make it work? What if you had a significant injury?

I would want to live. I believe I could make it work out better by getting back to the basics. I sometimes want to do that anyway.

#18 Are people obligated to be good Samaritans? Why or why not?

Obligated? No. Some people just are and some people aren't.

 

[crvygirl]

#18 Are people obligated to be good Samaritans? Why or why not?

I find it interesting that in times of community crisis most folks are easily willing to extend a helping hand. However, in times of personal crisis many folks are afraid to reach out to others for help.

Great observation, and it works both ways, I think. People are more comfortable giving in times of mass crisis - it is less personal, less wrenching. It's more difficult to look a person you care about in the eye in their moment of personal, individual pain and offer what often seems like feeble and unimportant help or support. We all need to try to do it anyway, of course.

I think Good Samaritan stuff is not an obligation, it's a choice. And I define being a Good Samaritan as being good with no expectation of recognition or reward - pure giving, to someone you do not know.

So...should (ugh, the should word!) people strive to be good? I personally think that if the impulse arises naturally and you act on it, that's great, and pure and will likely give you joy. I think people need more joy, so I hope that many many many of us will act on our impulses to be good and generous.

On the other hand, I'm NOT a fan of titfortat giving. Planned goodness, calculated giving, gifts that are recorded in a mental balance sheet (by which I mean "gifts" that are tied to thoughts such as - now this person will owe me, or the universe will owe me or I've earned some goodwill with the deity I think runs this whole show....). I've ended friendships with people I know who "give" this way. I've witnessed "friends" who felt that they were treated badly or snubbed by another person trot out long lists of "gifts" (of time, support, etc.) they had given. That is worse than never giving at all, in my opinion. Give freely, or just keep walking.

Nice thread, IHC.

 

[teknight]

Obligated? No. Some people just are and some people aren't.

No.
We're not just *good* or *bad*. It's far more nuanced than that.

 

[cock_star44]

#18 Are people obligated to be good Samaritans? Why or why not?

No. Nobody is obligated to anything. I thin most people, 80% or so, find it natural to want to help others. The other 20% are all about self- interest. I think most people are inherently "good." Now that is subject to all kind's of interpretation but i think most of us would agree helping one another makes us all feel better

 

[BradBigBrain]

No.
We're not born *good* or *bad*. It's far more nuanced than that.

(sarcasm)Oh that's what I said? Thanks for clearing it up for me, Judge Smails. I really had no clue.(/sarcasm)

I said, "Some people just are and some people aren't." I never mentioned being born with it. It has to do with upbringing, life experiences, etc. And some people feel obligated to do good Samaritan type deeds based on their own life experiences and others just won't bother.

 

[teknight]

(sarcasm)Oh that's what I said? Thanks for clearing it up for me, Judge Smails. I really had no clue.(/sarcasm)

I said, "Some people just are and some people aren't." I never mentioned being born with it. It has to do with upbringing, life experiences, etc. And some people feel obligated to do good Samaritan type deeds based on their own life experiences and others just won't bother.

You're right. I used the word "born."
You said some "are" without qualifying it in any way, shape or form. It's not that simple. Actually, that's the way most people might think about others, when ascertaining the cause for their behavior: "Well, x is just bla bla bla," whereas, were they trying to justify themselves, they'd come up with far more details "Well, I did x because of this, and that, and this other thing."

Do you feel slighted by my rebuke of your simplistic claim? Your bad- I can't read your thoughts, now can I?

 

[IhateClowns]

Great observation, and it works both ways, I think. People are more comfortable giving in times of mass crisis - it is less personal, less wrenching. It's more difficult to look a person you care about in the eye in their moment of personal, individual pain and offer what often seems like feeble and unimportant help or support. We all need to try to do it anyway, of course.

I think Good Samaritan stuff is not an obligation, it's a choice. And I define being a Good Samaritan as being good with no expectation of recognition or reward - pure giving, to someone you do not know.

So...should (ugh, the should word!) people strive to be good? I personally think that if the impulse arises naturally and you act on it, that's great, and pure and will likely give you joy. I think people need more joy, so I hope that many many many of us will act on our impulses to be good and generous.

On the other hand, I'm NOT a fan of titfortat giving. Planned goodness, calculated giving, gifts that are recorded in a mental balance sheet (by which I mean "gifts" that are tied to thoughts such as - now this person will owe me, or the universe will owe me or I've earned some goodwill with the deity I think runs this whole show....). I've ended friendships with people I know who "give" this way. I've witnessed "friends" who felt that they were treated badly or snubbed by another person trot out long lists of "gifts" (of time, support, etc.) they had given. That is worse than never giving at all, in my opinion. Give freely, or just keep walking.

Nice thread, IHC.

Thank you for taking the time to answer Crvy. Glad you like the thread. Have gotten a lot of great interesting responses.

 

[blade_rocknut]

I'm seldom what folks would call a "good samaritan". I don't feel obligated to be; but occasionally I have helped someone in obvious distress of some sort, and yes....it makes me feel all good inside for having done so. I have also derived personal pleasure from observing others in a pickle, when I feel said pickle was wrought of their own hammer & flame. I reckon that makes me judgemental and a bad person. Oh well. A do-gooder I'm not......I just try it on every now and then.

 

[BradBigBrain]

You're right. I used the word "born."
You said some "are" without qualifying it in any way, shape or form. It's not that simple. Actually, that's the way most people might think about others, when ascertaining the cause for their behavior: "Well, x is just bla bla bla," whereas, were they trying to justify themselves, they'd come up with far more details "Well, I did x because of this, and that, and this other thing."

Do you feel slighted by my rebuke of your simplistic claim? Your bad- I can't read your thoughts, now can I?

Nope. Not at all. I'd have to give a shit about you and your rebuke to feel slighted.

 

[Peaches1990]

Nope. Not at all. I'd have to give a shit about you and your rebuke to feel slighted.

Don't feed the twat. He only ever posts argumentative shit or tries to hit on women with his pseudo intelligence. PMSL. It's like a lizard crawling out from under a rock @ sporadic intervals to spout shit or leer. Pathetic.

 

[janeyl]

#18 Are people obligated to be good Samaritans? Why or why not?

I don't feel under an obligation to be a good samaritan. I think the idea is a moral construct used by organised religion to try to claim the credit for what is essentially altruism engendered in human nature, whether a primal unsophisticated urge to ensure perpetuation of the species or a softer more instinctive programme to protect those perceived as in need or weaker than yourself. I haven't enough knowledge of other non judeo-christian cultures to know if it is echoed in their teachings or doctrines...some might-others may very well not. I see a lot of cruelty towards both humans and animals in other cultures and our own which leads me to believe that it may not, but then it could very well be that continued exposure to cruelty perpetuates cruelty perhaps by becoming innured to suffering...studies have shown as much I believe

I do have those urges to be kind and whether that is something that has been programmed into me by my upbringing because my parents both hated injustice and unfairness, whether it is something that I have adopted as my approach to things because of the intrinsic character demanded of me by my choice of profession or whether it is something more primal and instinctive, I have no idea.

Nice question Clowns

Fuck me-that's quite profound to say I'm half pissed...

 

[BradBigBrain]

Don't feed the twat. He only ever posts argumentative shit or tries to hit on women with his pseudo intelligence. PMSL. It's like a lizard crawling out from under a rock @ sporadic intervals to spout shit or leer. Pathetic.

Out of the mouth of a babe!

 

[teknight]

Nope. Not at all. I'd have to give a shit about you and your rebuke to feel slighted.

Hence the reply...

I was asking to see if an apology were in order. Whereas your fragment of a thought, which you posted, made sense in your mind (within the larger schema of your thoughts), what you posted was overly simplistic. If you felt slighted, I would have apologized for misconstruing.

But, hey, fuck you too.

 

[Peaches1990]

Out of the mouth of a babe!

A vitriolic one allegedly! PMSL! Diddums, he hurtedz my feelings boohoo not!

 

[Pirates_Wench]

#18 Are people obligated to be good Samaritans? Why or why not?

Most people are afraid to get involved. Especially if the situation is on a personal level. I have seen instances where someone knew of domestic violence taking place but would do nothing to intervene. And basically condemn the victim for removing his/her self from the abusive situation.

Personally I think there would be fewer of these instances if there were more good Samaritans.

 

[IhateClowns]

Funny how a question about being a Good Samaritan help stir the pot....

 

[blade_rocknut]

Funny how a question about being a Good Samaritan help stir the pot....

Or....catalyze a chain reaction!

 

[IhateClowns]

Or....catalyze a chain reaction!

Or that as well

 

[BradBigBrain]

A vitriolic one allegedly! PMSL! Diddums, he hurtedz my feelings boohoo not!

You are that. Vitriolic Babe. Sounds like the name of a cool rock band.

Funny how a question about being a Good Samaritan help stir the pot....

Yeah. My bad for stirring it too much. I promise to not feed the troll anymore.