031. [Text]

[explosivecombat]

You know, I've realized that whenever I address the network nowadays, I always include some sort of apology for the morbidity of the subject matter; the subject matter is never any better the next time around, which I think just draws the validity of the apology into question by now. Ah, but that's neither here nor there - the subject today is still, however, not any better, so consider the apology this afternoon as genuine as it always is.

[In other words, sorry-not-sorry. Kimblee...]

I would like to discuss morality today, actually - perhaps befittingly, since there are so many morally dubious individuals around as of late.

Assume for a moment that you come across someone in peril; you're in a secluded area, and no one else is around to help this individual but you. The specific sort of peril they're in doesn't matter, but for the sake of argument, assume that it's something that you can handle easily - assume that assisting them won't kill you, and even if the situation you envision is dangerous you can call the authorities for help and that would be considered "assisting" for the sake of this experiment. For whatever reason, the person in peril cannot save themselves; if you don't do anything, the situation will prove fatal for the person you've come across.

No one will know if you help the person or not. You won't be punished or penalized in any way for not helping them - in other words, you have no legal obligation to do so - but if you don't, the person in peril is going to die. You've never met the person before this moment; there's nothing about their appearance or situation that implies that you should consider them an enemy, but they aren't explicitly a friend or an ally either. Just a random stranger that you are given the option of rescuing.

Most would probably agree that rescuing a person in peril like that is the "right" thing to do; I'm sure some would disagree, either because their beliefs are a bit unorthodox or because they want to feel edgy. So my question isn't necessarily what you believe - my question is why. Can you justify it, or are you just operating under "what feels right"?

Answer me anonymously if you'd like; as usual, your identity doesn't necessarily interest me, but your answer does.

Comments

[motormouths]

[More like someone actually has survival instincts.]

i'm just not a big fan of puttin myself in danger! whats the point? if theyre a friend they'd have more of a shot but if its somethin like a gigantic robot monster its not happening! its just common sense aint it? if you realize its too dangerous and that you cant help why would you risk that?

[explosivecombat]

However, assuming that choosing to act would come at no detriment to you, you would do so?

[motormouths]

...ah wait i think i'm gettin it! if i somehow save em then theyd tell people about how cool it was? theyd be praisin me and stuff?

yeah i'd totally go at it! its just that its every man for himself at times!

[explosivecombat]

[...CHILD...]

Well, that's a possible effect, I suppose.

Personally, I've never been interested in heroics of any sort, so I wouldn't exactly know.

do you get it. rope

[motormouths]

[HEY, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT HE'S BEEN THROUGH.]

the only time i ever tried somethin risky i roped someone into helpin me out... and we still didnt get any praise for it so itd be real nice if i did do something that i'd get thanked for it!

so thats pretty much how it stands.

oh lord

[explosivecombat]

[He's dealt with many, many members of Tryhard Academy by now, don't worry.]

Some would find engaging in heroics at all to be its own reward, regardless of the reactions of others. Personally, I think that's a rather insipid stance, so I'm not going to try to tell you you're wrong.

I'm a fan of stupid inside jokes damn it

[motormouths]

theres only one person i'd even remotely risk my life for. but even then thered be people with me so it wouldnt be completely scary.

all i want is some praise yknow? is that so bad? like oh souda thanks for fixing that elevator for us! i kinda got thanked once but it wasnt enough. guess it wasnt so bad seein as she kept it and liked it but ?? its not that bad of a thing to look after yourself right? i bet all those people who answered have got all these powers normally too!

[explosivecombat]

I'm sure that some do; I'm sure some others don't, but they like the idea of being heroic. It's difficult to say what one would actually do unless they're in the situation, I suppose; some people are more talk than they are action.

But I've never seen anything wrong with looking after yourself; personally, I do what I feel like, and I act in a way that serves me. After all, I'm the person who's going to have to live with whatever I decide to do - or decide not to do, as the case may be.

[motormouths]

well yeah cause heroes are really liked and all! and everybody wants to be liked and not be alone right? but actually doin all that stuff? it's scary. better to survive than die in one shot right?

id rather not have to deal with any of that. like i want a nice peaceful life, meetin new people with no danger involved. like normal parties and private beaches and just. nice things like that!

but ive never really talked about this sorta thing and thats kinda why i answered.

[explosivecombat]

I'm fond of discussing things like this with people; I like seeing how they think. I'm not really interested in judging either way - your opinion is what it is, and in the end it matters very little to me. I'm not here to try to change it.

Though that's not to say that I don't appreciate the discussion; I appreciate your response. It's a more honest one than most I've received, I think - it's unusual to have people directly say that they would look out for themselves first and foremost, even if I'm fairly sure most would.