Quote:Obviously philosophy is broad enough to have its own forum but since that hasn't happened yet let's just start a thread. Let's also steer away from any religious discussions.


Here's a question to start this thread off:


Is it better to live as a coward or die a hero?


Say you're faced with an option of taking a fatal gunshot wound for a close family member or friend. Would it be truly worth it to die? Sure, you’d be a hero, but that person would feel guilty for your death for the rest of their lives. Is that “brave” act actually cowardly because you’re transferring the guilt that you’d have felt if you did nothing and watched them die to your friend, who has to deal with the guilt of causing your death?

 

It's difficult to discuss this without bringing religion into the mix.

 

Would it be "worth" it?  That depends on the values and beliefs of a person.  For me personally, if it came down to a family member then I would certainly put myself in harm's way to protect them.

 

Next you already make the assumption that taking a bullet for a close friend or family member would make you a "hero".  Then you make the assumption that the family member or friend would feel "guilty" for the rest of their life.  What if the assumption was changed to "thankful"?  What if the person that is saved in your scenario had a feeling of gratefulness rather than guilt?

 

What you imply though, is that you're "transferring" an emotion (guilt) because of your actions.  Is/was that the intention for said action?  Or could said action have been done because of another emotion (love)?  Is said action deserving of one label (hero) or another label (cowardly)?  It depends on the original intent and the belief of the people involved.

 

You need to be careful when making assumptions.

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