What Is Morality?

[ihaveanappforthat]

Morality. Must the ends of something justify the means? Is it morally acceptable to kill one to save many? Is killing wrong regardless of the outcome?

The line between right and wrong can be muddied rather easily.

All this talk about book privileges is boring, let's talk about something interesting.

Comments

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[3potionproblem]

What happened to staying off their radar?

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[ihaveanappforthat]

I said you should.

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[3potionproblem]

And I'm suddenly the more visible of the two?

[thesmallesttrickster]

The death of one to save many is a justifiable act I think, as is the death of many for the lives of many more.

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[ihaveanappforthat]

You stated your distrust to other students ignoring the fact that there are blatantly loyal students.

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[3potionproblem]

Fair point. No one listens to me, though. I can say what I like and nothing will change.

[doctorkishitani]

When you think on it, this question is related to the book privileges issue. After all, the question of whether the ends justify the means comes up quite a bit where research practices are concerned.

[actuallyspeakslatin]

I think that the end justify the means and that the good of the man outweigh the good of the few.

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[ihaveanappforthat]

I was not aware I was "no one," huh.

[ihaveanappforthat]

So if someone had a group of people and told you to kill one of them or they all die, would you?

[ihaveanappforthat]

No, it's not. It's related to morality. The book issue is not questioning deontology nor utilitarianism.

[doctorkishitani]

[inkblot]

I'm sorry. I'm not sure of what either of those words mean. I'll look them up and get back to you.

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[3potionproblem]

Don't play the victim. It doesn't suit you.

[ihaveanappforthat]

I can elaborate if you want.

[doctorkishitani]

Could you?

That would be very much appreciated, Moriarty.

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[thegluethatbinds]

I'd say it depends on the situation. The ends could justify the means, but once you sacrifice your morals and believes for that end, then you've probably lost the reason for choosing that end in the first place.

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[ihaveanappforthat]

That's not what other people seem to think. But the point still stands, so stop with the ugly modesty.

[ihaveanappforthat]

You would kill others to save many?

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[ihaveanappforthat]

Speaking from experience?

So you think if you do something wrong for a greater cause, you're wrong?

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[3potionproblem]

It's hardly modesty. It's rare for an adult to listen to a teenager. Just look at Snow.

[actuallyspeakslatin]

I would, and I'd also kill a few to save one.

[ihaveanappforthat]

What is morality in your opinion? Because we all know it's just a construct.

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[ihaveanappforthat]

You make them listen if you have that problem. Adults are still people. So is Snow.

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[thegluethatbinds]

Somewhat.

Take the last Wizarding War, for example. Some Aurors when sent out to deal with Death Eaters preferred to kill on sight. The end was the protection of society from Death Eaters but the rationale behind duelling to kill rather than duelling to subdue was that it's easier to cast a Killing Curse and end it just then and there, rather than trying to disarm and bring them in alive.

Of course it's difficult to capture a Death Eater alive and sometimes the situation you're in doesn't allow you that luxury. That doesn't mean you should throw away the value of human life just because it's easier for you.

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[3potionproblem]

Therein lies the reason why you're Slytherin and I'm Ravenclaw. You force their opinions; I show them how wrong they were to doubt me after I prove myself right.