Does everyone have a price?

[stan1980]

Following on from the nazi thread, could you ever kill for money, and if so, how much would get you interested? Are there any circumstances which it could become tempting? What if it was the government offering the money, would that make a difference?

 

[cantata]

Gosh, I really don't think I could. Not for money. The threat of torture would probably convince me, but not money. I'd just be too scared.

 

[The Nihilist]

i'll make you a deal. you lay down $50 (i don't know what that is in your pretend money), and I'll kill anyone you want. I'll even throw in any pets for free.

 

[cantata]

(i don't know what that is in your pretend money)

Hahaha!

Yep, we use Monopoly money here.

 

[stan1980]

i'll make you a deal. you lay down $50 (i don't know what that is in your pretend money), and I'll kill anyone you want. I'll even throw in any pets for free.

You should speak to the afa. They'll pay you $90 and you don't even have to kill anyone!

Oh, and as for pretend money, considering how weak the dollar has got against the pound (and euro), I can now buy up your puny currency for a pittance!

 

[quatona]

I´m asking 30 euro. Tomorrow it will be 30 euro plus a steak knife set.

 

[quatona]

dp

 

[quatona]

Following on from the nazi thread, could you ever kill for money,

You mean a human, right?
I hope not. I have no idea what I might be capable of, though. So don´t take my word for it.
Money is a very low stimulus for me, anyways.

Are there any circumstances which it could become tempting?

Honestly, I can´t think of any.

What if it was the government offering the money, would that make a difference?

Certainly not.

 

[stan1980]

You mean a human, right?

Yes, human

I hope not. I have no idea what I might be capable of, though. So don´t take my word for it.
Money is a very low stimulus for me, anyways.


Honestly, I can´t think of any.

A lot of people say money isn't that important to them, that is fair enough and I can relate. But would you like to see poverty eradicated in third world nations? What if the money offered was enough to acheive that (theoretically)? And what if the person who's head is on the line has committed unspeakable heinous crimes, and will very likely commit more? And what if you had a 99.99% chance of getting away with it (nothing is 100%)? Would this make you consider the offer in theory?

 

[lawtonfogle]

Following on from the nazi thread, could you ever kill for money, and if so, how much would get you interested? Are there any circumstances which it could become tempting? What if it was the government offering the money, would that make a difference?

I have a price, but there are some people I'm not willing to do business with.

You want me to go kill a little innocent child? You better pay up front, and then I'm just going to take that money and get that child some armed guards, and probably try to go attack who ever is paying.

On the other hand, you want me to go execute someone who has been deemed guilty by a system which I agree with their judgment... that would only depend upon what I have been chosen, but in that case, my price would probably be low. Then again, this is kinda like paying the executioner squad...

So really, I dare say there are too many factors for me to even attempt to handle them all, though you can give me any one situation and I would give you a price, if I happened to have one in that situation.

 

[quatona]

A lot of people say money isn't that important to them, that is fair enough and I can relate.

OK, people can say a lot on the internet, but if you´d know me...

But would you like to see poverty eradicated in third world nations?

(I see, that´s where you are going. When you said "kill for money" I was naturally thinking of money for my private purposes.)
Yes, I´d like to see people in third world nations being better off.

What if the money offered was enough to acheive that (theoretically)?

I can´t say that that wouldn´t be a tempting goal. I´m glad this is so unrealistic that I will never be in this situation.
Tell you what: There´s always a way of reframing things. Just as you framed the problem as "killing for a price" (which I think is a bit an arbitrary way of framing it in view of the complexity that it now turns out to be), I might be able to reframe it as "killing to avoid greater harm". I might. I think I won´t. But this is how rationalization works. And rationalization would have to be a part of my decision in this scenario, anyways.
That said, I don´t think the difficult part in this rationalization would be to remove the "that´s my price" part. My ethical dilemma would lie somewhere else.
I can´t fathom myself killing a human, and for me the "greater good" argument ends at killing.
Something else: I don´t even give all the money I do not urgently need to the poor. So what makes me of all the authority when it comes to others´ sacrifices for this greater good? If I were honestly so concerned with these problems I would do all I can right now, wouldn´t I?
If I felt one man dieing is justified by saving more persons I would even give all my money to the third world and starve myself. I am sure the same amount of money I need for food would feed 10 if not 100 persons over there. So I quite apparently not willing to die for the greater good (and not even far less than dieing) - so who I am to decide that someone else has to?

And what if the person who's head is on the line has committed unspeakable heinous crimes, and will very likely commit more?

Not a significant factor.

And what if you had a 99.99% chance of getting away with it (nothing is 100%)? Would this make you consider the offer in theory?

Irrelevant. If I felt that would be what needs to be done punishment would not be my concern.

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

I have a price for a lot of things I wouldn't do for free. But killing a person isn't one. Killing a person is really drastic, and I'd only do it in a situation I thought really necessary, like self-defence, so money wouldn't come in to it.

Drug smuggling, perjury, fraud etc...give me a figure and I'll see what I can do.

On a day-to-day level, I wouldn't buy a pack of cigarettes for a 15 year old for free, but for a quid I'd be more than willing.

 

[Braunwyn]

I would kill if I had to protect someone so money wouldn't need be involved. I wouldn't kill anyone (human or most animals) for money. For example, I wouldn't/couldn't walk up to a cow and slit its throat for millions, although I know people do it for a lot less.

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

I would kill if I had to protect someone so money wouldn't need be involved. I wouldn't kill anyone (human or most animals) for money. For example, I wouldn't/couldn't walk up to a cow and slit its throat for millions, although I know people do it for a lot less.

I wish I had enough conviction to become a vegetarian.

 

[billwald]

All homicide is not murder.

 

[Braunwyn]

Following on from the nazi thread, could you ever kill for money, and if so, how much would get you interested? Are there any circumstances which it could become tempting? What if it was the government offering the money, would that make a difference?

I wish I had enough conviction to become a vegetarian.

Well, if you wish it than you just might!

 

[Exhausted]

If you could guarantee I'd get away with it, I'd do it for free. Money would be nice, of course, and even if I were doing it for free, I'd expect someone to pay for my business expenses. Weapons, travel, disposal, escape, the works.

Government sanctioned killings sound good. Blame shifting and protection. Torture? Well, I don't have practice, but I'm an excellent student.

 

[wilkette]

No, I cannot imagine a scenario in which I would kill for money. Money has always fallen low on my priority list (I did become and then marry a teacher, after all), so it's not a temptation for many things. That said, if someone I loved were threatened and I were put in a position where killing someone else would save them, then yes - if I am being honest, I would have to admit that I would at the very least be tempted. I don't think anyone can know for certain what they would ultimately do in such a position, but temptation would be a reality.