Yet another poll

[mastermg]

This isnt a trick question and the question is aimed for both types of people. I was studying ethics and was curious if the theory holds true, so the results should be interesting.
Thanks

Ed: I cant edit the poll, so it an admin can please add a "N/A" on both polls so you arent forced to choose something for the both of them. Thanks

[mexika]

is this like a satanic question?

[mastermg]

Quote:is this like a satanic question?

Lol :P

[Guest]

I am wondering if it would not be better as a one question poll with yes (believer), yes (non-believer), no (believer), no (non-believer) Choose only one.
But I edited it as requested.

BTW I presume the child must have already been born...

[mothandrust]

so how does sacrificing a child end aids? is this some weird medical process? does it work for cancer too? what about halitosis?:D

why would God demand such an action? sounds a bit Abrahamic to me - is it a test of faith? is it ok if i sacrifice your child rather than my own?

sorry to be difficult. i think what you are asking is, would you be prepared to do a little evil for a greater good - no?

[---]

Are you trying to gauge the difference in morality between theists and non-theists? Surely this poll is too dramatic in it's utilitarian starkness?

I remember reading a book about Britain during the first world war and it explained how if one were to be a conscientious objector it was allowed if the person was strongly religious, however atheists were either shot or imprisoned - usually first the latter then the former..

They left them in freezing cold cells in the direst of conditions with a uniform laying next to them - sooner or later most broke and put on the uniform, of the ones that didn't many perished there in the cells. Of course the chance of perishing on the battefield was equal if not greater.

The rationale was that if you were an atheist you couldn't have a conscience and therefore couldn't object to the war on moral grounds.

You'll forgive me I can't vote in your poll as I don't understand what you're trying to get at exactly or what question you are posing yourself - that and it's too loaded for me.

i can tell you this though - I wouldn't 'sacrifice' -(a byword for murder in this instance, I believe) a child's life to end the Aids epidemic, as horrendous an effect as it has on countless childrens' lives. I guess I'm a shoddy utilitarian when it comes down to it.

There's still hope though.. - Joe Blow put this up on TIU : http://www.thelocal.se/16862/20090112/

[mastermg]

Quote:Are you trying to gauge the difference in morality between theists and non-theists? Surely this poll is too dramatic in it's utilitarian starkness?

I remember reading a book about Britain during the first world war and it explained how if one were to be a conscientious objector it was allowed if the person was strongly religious, however atheists were either shot or imprisoned - usually fist the latter then the former..

They left them in freezing cold cells in the direst of conditions with a uniform laying next to them - sooner or later most broke and put on the uniform, of the ones that didn't many perished there in the cells. Of course the chance of perishing on the battefield was equal if not greater.

The rationale was that if you were an atheist you couldn't have a conscience and therefore couldn't object to the war on moral grounds.

You'll forgive me I can't vote in your poll as I don't understand what you're trying to get at exactly or what question you are posing yourself - that and it's too loaded for me.

i can tell you this though - I wouldn't sacrifice a child to end Aids, as horrendous an effect as it has on countless childrens' lives. I guess I'm a shoddy utilitarian when it comes down to it.

Lol Nik got it! I wanted to explain it it after numerous people voted but since you got close, Ill just tell you know. Yes, the theory is between theists and the non-theists and basically its said that most atheists are utilitarian, meaning they seek the good and whats pleasureable. On the other hand, most theists are deontologists, meaning they seek what is right even though it means pain to them.
By theory, the utilitarians (like buisnessmen where they try to seek pleasure by making money even though it may rip someone else off) should pick yes on the poll, that they would sacrifice a child to end AIDS which kills many more. The deontologists (like religious clerks, people that study other cultures, activists, etc) should pick no for whatever reason.

So Nik you got it mixed up, you are a deontologist, which is what I would be too.

[mastermg]

Quote:so how does sacrificing a child end aids? is this some weird medical process? does it work for cancer too? what about halitosis?:D

why would God demand such an action? sounds a bit Abrahamic to me - is it a test of faith? is it ok if i sacrifice your child rather than my own?

sorry to be difficult. i think what you are asking is, would you be prepared to do a little evil for a greater good - no?

Its not supposed to be a difficult brain teaser lol, but basically would you be prepared to do a little evil for a greater good, like you said.

[mastermg]

Quote:I am wondering if it would not be better as a one question poll with yes (believer), yes (non-believer), no (believer), no (non-believer) Choose only one.
But I edited it as requested.

BTW I presume the child must have already been born...

Ya that would have been a better set up. Thanks though

[---]

Quote:So Nik you got it mixed up, you are a deontologist, which is what I would be too.

No, I'm just a shoddy utilitarian;)

[mothandrust]

to my mind the end cannot justify the means (for anyone limited by human knowledge/intelligence)

my god would not ask such questions

if some other god put forward this proposal i'd tell it: "fuck off, you created the disease, sort it out for yourself, don't expect me to do your dirty work."

[mastermg]

Quote:to my mind the end cannot justify the means (for anyone limited by human knowledge/intelligence)

my god would not ask such questions

if some other god put forward this proposal i'd tell it: "fuck off, you created the disease, sort it out for yourself, don't expect me to do your dirty work."

Its a philosophical question, has nothing really to do with God, just what are people's personal moral views are.
Like I expected, this caused quite a stir;)

[Easy Skanking]

What about the agnostics, MMG?
You forgot that part of humanity.

[mastermg]

Quote:What about the agnostics, MMG?
You forgot that part of humanity.

I actually had that in mind but that would invalidate this poll because agnostics can have different moral views in this type of question. Basically, agnostics most likely would be both utilitarian and deontologists.

[Easy Skanking]

They can have any viewpoint they like as can the other two categories. It just seems to me that you are forcing people into a presupposed conclusion with this poll. Illusions of choice and limited possibilities according to a limited worldview. Not my thing so I have not voted on it.