I had an idea for this sociological experiment. My goal is to engage in a more detailed and honest dialogue with friends and strangers and to learn more about myself and others.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
03.30.2011's Question Of TheDay
If you knew a child would grow to be evil, antithetical to the beliefs of many, and would be a murderous tyrant, could you kill the child while still in the innocence of youth? Please provide an answer and support.
No. Nothing is predetermined. Nothing is absolutely fated unless you are willing to discount free will. I would try to steer the kid down the right track. Say I time traveled and met Hitler and had the chance to kill him. Even though I have no relatives b/c of him I also wouldn't be here b/c of him. My grandparents met after escaping trains and losing their families. You can't delete things from life without altering a chain of events.
A good litmus for this question is to ask yourself if you would go back and kill Adolf Hitler as a child if it was possible. Suppose there is a child that is undoubtedly evil. In other words, suppose you can do a genetic test to show that it is predisposed to doing violent things, and has no developed portion of the brain that is associated with a conscience - or judging right from wrong. There are children that are institutionalized because they tried to poison their parents, because they would not give the child candy for example. Would you be willing to bet its life that there would never been a treatment to remedy this? I am not sure I would. I would be willing to permanently institutionalize, and attempt to rehabilitate them though.
I don't believe that I could kill a child, under any circumstances. Although a lot of who we will become as adults has genetic origins, I don't think you can rule out the large importance of environmental influences. This child could have a chance grow into a completely different person if surrounded by people who exhibit love, compassion and understanding. It would seem short sighted to not allow this child the opportunity to become something better, to exceed our expectations.
I agree with diskokitty...nothing is absoulutely predetermined. If Hitler would have grown up in a more compasionate world he would not have turned his anger on innocent people. If you brouht this or any child for that matter up in a loving but firm manner I belive you could create a loving compassonate being no matter what. In addition to that I belive that bad things also happen for a reason. Lesons are learned from tragedy...who are we to play God?
How could anybody possibly kill the child? I mean, look at that adorable little fawn headdress and tiny flowing chocolate robe and tell me you would be able to muster the sense of justification for such an act. Could you really look into those infant-sized designer sunglasses and wrap your hands around that oily neck with the intention of extinguishing a new life? Even if the baby's fate IS predetermined, as your question suggests, I personally couldn't look into those little deep-set, darting eyes and put an ornate Morroccan-style sitting pillow over its tight black curls and assume the role of God.
I would find any and all means to help this child before he/she entered that stage in his/her life. There is no possible way I could kill a child. I can't even fathom why people do things of this nature, that would also make them an evil murdering tyrant, wouldn't it?
No. I would try to prevent said child from growing to be an evil murderous tyrant.
ReplyDeleteNo. Nothing is predetermined. Nothing is absolutely fated unless you are willing to discount free will. I would try to steer the kid down the right track. Say I time traveled and met Hitler and had the chance to kill him. Even though I have no relatives b/c of him I also wouldn't be here b/c of him. My grandparents met after escaping trains and losing their families. You can't delete things from life without altering a chain of events.
ReplyDeleteSo no. I wouldn't kill the kid.
A good litmus for this question is to ask yourself if you would go back and kill Adolf Hitler as a child if it was possible. Suppose there is a child that is undoubtedly evil. In other words, suppose you can do a genetic test to show that it is predisposed to doing violent things, and has no developed portion of the brain that is associated with a conscience - or judging right from wrong. There are children that are institutionalized because they tried to poison their parents, because they would not give the child candy for example. Would you be willing to bet its life that there would never been a treatment to remedy this? I am not sure I would. I would be willing to permanently institutionalize, and attempt to rehabilitate them though.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that I could kill a child, under any circumstances. Although a lot of who we will become as adults has genetic origins, I don't think you can rule out the large importance of environmental influences. This child could have a chance grow into a completely different person if surrounded by people who exhibit love, compassion and understanding. It would seem short sighted to not allow this child the opportunity to become something better, to exceed our expectations.
ReplyDeleteI agree with diskokitty...nothing is absoulutely predetermined. If Hitler would have grown up in a more compasionate world he would not have turned his anger on innocent people. If you brouht this or any child for that matter up in a loving but firm manner I belive you could create a loving compassonate being no matter what. In addition to that I belive that bad things also happen for a reason. Lesons are learned from tragedy...who are we to play God?
ReplyDeleteHow could anybody possibly kill the child? I mean, look at that adorable little fawn headdress and tiny flowing chocolate robe and tell me you would be able to muster the sense of justification for such an act. Could you really look into those infant-sized designer sunglasses and wrap your hands around that oily neck with the intention of extinguishing a new life? Even if the baby's fate IS predetermined, as your question suggests, I personally couldn't look into those little deep-set, darting eyes and put an ornate Morroccan-style sitting pillow over its tight black curls and assume the role of God.
ReplyDeleteI would find any and all means to help this child before he/she entered that stage in his/her life. There is no possible way I could kill a child. I can't even fathom why people do things of this nature, that would also make them an evil murdering tyrant, wouldn't it?
ReplyDeleteNo. I agree with the consensus; I could not hurt the child. Besides, its always the parents' fault, right? I say, shank 'em!
ReplyDelete