A moral hypothetical

[Electric Skeptic]

What follows is what's known as a 'hypothetical'. It's not meant to be a real situation (so please don't bother with posts saying it's not realistic or could never happen - it's not supposed to be realistic). It has two possible outcomes, and only two - this is a condition of the hypothetical (again, please don't bother with posts saying "I'd do this instead..." You only have the two choices outlined below, and that's it).

If you don't like the above conditions, then that's fine - just ignore this thread. But please don't waste everyone's time with posts saying it's unrealistic or you'd do something else. Thanks.

Now, for the hypothetical itself:

You encounter a situation where an adult man is about to rape a female child (ie., pre-pubescent). Their bodily positions and state of attire leave no doubt that that is what is going to happen. You are armed, with a very powerful weapon, but the would-be rapist is positioned such that the only part of him which you can possibly shoot is his head. Given the power of your gun, you know that any head shot would kill him instantly. You also know that if you shoot him dead, you will not be penalised for your action - indeed, nobody will ever know who prevented the rape. But shooting him will, definitely, prevent the child being raped.

Do you shoot him dead? Or allow the little girl to be raped?

 

[Chajara]

Shoot him. Although doing it in such close proximity to the child might harm her as well. Personally, I'd feel worse about the trauma of the child having her attacker shot right in front of her than I'd feel about offing a child-molester.

 

[Corran]

Allow the girl to be raped.

 

[sparklecat]

Personally, I'd feel worse about the trauma of the child having her attacker shot right in front of her than I'd feel about offing a child-molester.

Exactly my feelings. I imagine it would probably be less traumatic than being raped, though, so I'd probably kill him.

 

[sanaa]

What follows is what's known as a 'hypothetical'. It's not meant to be a real situation (so please don't bother with posts saying it's not realistic or could never happen - it's not supposed to be realistic). It has two possible outcomes, and only two - this is a condition of the hypothetical (again, please don't bother with posts saying "I'd do this instead..." You only have the two choices outlined below, and that's it).

If you don't like the above conditions, then that's fine - just ignore this thread. But please don't waste everyone's time with posts saying it's unrealistic or you'd do something else. Thanks.

Now, for the hypothetical itself:

You encounter a situation where an adult man is about to rape a female child (ie., pre-pubescent). Their bodily positions and state of attire leave no doubt that that is what is going to happen. You are armed, with a very powerful weapon, but the would-be rapist is positioned such that the only part of him which you can possibly shoot is his head. Given the power of your gun, you know that any head shot would kill him instantly. You also know that if you shoot him dead, you will not be penalised for your action - indeed, nobody will ever know who prevented the rape. But shooting him will, definitely, prevent the child being raped.

Do you shoot him dead? Or allow the little girl to be raped?

shoot him dead

 

[Ryal Kane]

Hypotheticals are nasty. My first thought was that I'd shoot him. And given the conditions are extremely time limited, I guess that's what I'd do.

 

[Ninja Turtles]

"Their bodily positions and state of attire leave no doubt that that is what is going to happen."

I wouldn't shoot since I really don't know what's going on. I need some visual cues like facial expressions and not positioning. Maybe they're acting out some part in a play or movie their in? Let the rape happen, because I would hate to shoot first with little assessment of the situation. I think it would be worst if I misinterpreted what was going on and popped him. If he proceeds to rape the girl, would I be unable to attack him during the act, or is this like a sniper being far away? I know, I know...I'm asking too many questions.

 

[seebs]

This is a very hard question, and I am not sure.

 

[Ninja Turtles]

I guess the question is, what trauma do you want a leave a person with, exploded head or sexual assault?

A difficult question indeed.

 

[The Seeker]

Allow the girl to be raped.

You've got to be kidding me

 

[Marek]

Acting on impulse, I'd probably shoot him. But I would feel guilty for either choice that I made. (Though probably less in the case that I shot the man.)

 

[butterfoot]

This is a very hard hypothetical. I would say shoot him.

 

[The-Doctor]

Know I wouldn't shoot him...I'd arrest him....life is about choice!

 

[snowydc2003]

Shoot, definately

 

[DailyBlessings]

I would probably attempt to stop the situation some other way before making the decision to murder the man. Say "What are you doing, stop" or something. The situation might result in killing him, but I wouldn't consider it to be the "right" thing to do, per say. Sometimes there is no right answer.

 

[The Seeker]

Know I wouldn't shoot him...I'd arrest him....life is about choice!

What follows is what's known as a 'hypothetical'. It's not meant to be a real situation (so please don't bother with posts saying it's not realistic or could never happen - it's not supposed to be realistic). It has two possible outcomes, and only two - this is a condition of the hypothetical (again, please don't bother with posts saying "I'd do this instead..." You only have the two choices outlined below, and that's it).

If you don't like the above conditions, then that's fine - just ignore this thread. But please don't waste everyone's time with posts saying it's unrealistic or you'd do something else. Thanks.

Why oh why can't we have a "rolleyes" smilie on here

 

[Chajara]

Why oh why can't we have a "rolleyes" smilie on here

... do you have stairs in your house?

(If you don't get it, disregard.)

 

[Ninja Turtles]

Know I wouldn't shoot him...I'd arrest him....life is about choice!

Life is about choice, and I only have two. But I feel like adding a third, arrest.

 

[Donut Hole]

A good vexing one.

What I actually would do in that situation, I don't know.

But what I ethically should do, I think, is to let the girl be raped. A human life lost is a greater loss than a rape/child molestation. The emotional tug is that the rapist/poedophile "deserves" it. I think that tug must ultimately be ignored.

Not easy though. I admit I can feel that tug.

 

[Ninja Turtles]

A good vexing one.

What I actually would do in that situation, I don't know.

But what I ethically should do, I think, is to let the girl be raped. A human life lost is a greater loss than a rape/child molestation. The emotional tug is that the rapist/poedophile "deserves" it. I think that tug must ultimately be ignored.

Not easy though. I admit I can feel that tug.

Well that's three of us for rape. (I'm included too...)