Are all lives equal?

[♏ara]

Everyone has the same value as a human being. However, everyone has a different value as a part of society. The former is in no way dependent of the latter and should always override any perceived worth or detriment to the society by the society. And even if we would, God forbid, have to make a decision who to give our last piece of gum to..that in no way is implying that we have the ability to impart value to others. Just because I would save John Mayer from falling off a cliff instead of my chem teacher doesn't make him any more worthy of life and it's disgusting to think someone would flatter themselves so by thinking their actions and/or opinions could have anything to do with it.

[Ǻɔɘ ȯƒ Șρąđēş]

Everyone has the same value as a human being. However, everyone has a different value as a part of society. The former is in no way dependent of the latter and should always override any perceived worth or detriment to the society by the society. And even if we would, God forbid, have to make a decision who to give our last piece of gum to..that in no way is implying that we have the ability to impart value to others. Just because I would save John Mayer from falling off a cliff instead of my chem teacher doesn't make him any more worthy of life and it's disgusting to think someone would flatter themselves so by thinking their actions and/or opinions could have anything to do with it.

That was one of my points in this thread.
Very good answer, and I agree, on a societal level, everyone has a different value and purpose, some good, some bad.
However if we were put into such a tough scenario, I think the decision would be made more objectively than morally no matter what you pick.
Thank you for your input.

[Mael]

So if it was a choice between a member of your family or two strangers who are doctors for example you would choose to save the doctors?

[Ǻɔɘ ȯƒ Șρąđēş]

So if it was a choice between a member of your family or two strangers who are doctors for example you would choose to save the doctors?

At that point, the decision for me would involve a natural instinct to protect my family first.(As I would like to hope anyone would do.)

[Mael]

I think the decision would be made more objectively than morally no matter what you pick.

At that point, the decision for me would involve a natural instinct to protect my family first.(As I would like to hope anyone would do.)

You seem to be flipping depending on the situation, either you would make the decision objectively or you would pick depending on natural instinct not a person's "worth" to society. Even if broadened from family to friends or even just acquaintances your instinct would be to save them rather than the professionals who have more to offer.

[Ǻɔɘ ȯƒ Șρąđēş]

You seem to be flipping depending on the situation, either you would make the decision objectively or you would pick depending on natural instinct not a person's "worth" to society. Even if broadened from family to friends or even just acquaintances your instinct would be to save them rather than the professionals who have more to offer.

Because each decision is based on the situation at hand.
In the situation with a family member involved, I think naturally any person would choose their family member over a complete stranger regardless of profession simply because it is our natural instincts to want to protect family first.

[chanelcoco]

For an obvious example, I think a murderer's life is worth less than a productive, law-abiding citizen's life.

As a couple of people have already pointed out that is more of a societal evaluation. Where a persons worth is equated to their level of productivity or value to the society in which they reside. Under the that criteria i would agree with your evaluation.

For a more controversial example, I would argue that an American's life is worth more than the life of someone from a third world country.

I personally believe that a human life is a human life is a human life. Under that definition they are all of equal value. The value of a human life should not be measured by the quality of their life. That is an extremely slippery slope. It is extremely arrogant to assume that a human life in America is more valuable than the human life of someone in a third world country.

[12valve]

For a more controversial example, I would argue that an American's life is worth more than the life of someone from a third world country.

Thoughts?

My thoughts are that you are 100% spot on. My life is worth less than all Americans' lives.

[*Tanja*]

My thoughts are that you are 100% spot on. My life is worth less than all Americans' lives.

it wouldnt let me rep you but THAT made me laff!! thx
xxx~

[rosethorn]

Ok just wondering, someone who can not take care of them self at all, never have never will. Would you say that your life is worth more than that persons life?