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Ignoring any legal issues, is it morally justifiable to use violence or threat of violence in defense of life?
| Yes, do what it takes to keep yourself alive | 85 | |
| No, only police should take those kinds of measures | 12 | |
| Only if more than one life is being endangered | 2 | |
| Other (Add a comment) | 1 |
I think it is justified. Just be sure that the situation at least somehow threatens your life (like no need to fatally hit someone just because he stole something from you).
As usual when it comes to moral issues, it depends. I believe that only reasonable force should be used: for example, you can't shoot someone who is running away. You should never kill someone in self-defence, unless you can be sure you have absolutely no other choice. You should stop hitting someone once they are downed.
It is all about proportionality. If someone is stealing your TV, it isn't justifiable to kill them. If someone has your child at gun-point, it is justifiable to kill them, so long as you have tried every option that involves not killing them first.
I think in most of these situations, the defender is not thinking clearly. They don't weight up the moral arguements of self-defence, they only act on adrenaline-fueled impulse to try and save themselves or their family. That doesn't make fatal self-defence inexcusable, but it is something to take into consideration.
I agree with some of what you say. If I am on the street and someone pulls a knife on me I would draw my gun. If they run away I would let them go.
If someone broke into my home it would be a different story. If I were in my home and heard an intruder I would shoot them without confronting them or asking any questions first. At that point they have invaded my home and are a direct threat to my family.
someone pulls a gun or a knife on you, i doubt your going to be thinking much on the morality of killing them, and if you were, chances are, your dead.
Only if the guy is a worthy opponent and your very life is at stake. The law is clear about this one. It's not like you can shoot some guy who is half your size right in the face because he attacked you bare handed and be judged not guilty of first degree manslaughter in a court of law. But if the guy shooting was the weaker one then he might actually get away with it on self defense allegations. And no i am not taking any pro bono cases at the moment. Violation of property is another valid reason to get,if not away with it,at least a reduced sentence. Stalkers can be shot on sight.
Aside from the good points that have been made here so far, I would like to mention that you also have to factor in the amount of time the person has to react. Ideally you would have enough time to devise a plan that will hopefully result in the the best possible outcome for both the victim and the attacker. However, in the real world, attacks are often sudden and without warning. If you are thrust into a situation where you have mere seconds to react to the threat, sometimes all you can do is rely on your natural fight or flight instincts. Depending on the situation, the option of flight may not be available to you.
Yeah, and legally, you can just about kick someone's ass for hitting you first. That's when it is considered officially "self defense", and especially if they happen to be near/on your property like a robber or something.
in that case yes you have the right to kill, if your life is threatened if nesseary of course. but then there are things that dont require such things, it's all on what the circumstances are
I'd say it's morally justifiable but only as a last resort and if you know for SURE that your life, or the life you're protecting, is in danger.
If i get attacked they sure as hell be prepared for me defending myself i would not directly try to kill the attacker still i would do something making the attacker unable to attack me...
I think it is morally right to do because you the defender don't inherently mean to harm.
In this situation you would be try to use only enough force to keep yourself and others safe. Sometimes there are people that cannot behave sanely, and will commit violent acts, for no logical reason at all. All you can do is defend, because you wouldn't be left any other options.