Taking a poll, I'd really appreciate it if you take the time to answer. Thanks :)

[creationmaker]

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Who is morally superior:

1. A young man who never achieves a successful living because he gives up his career to support his parents, or

2. A boy who endures an excruciating struggle to emerge a very wealthy industrialist.

1 or 2?

Comments

Good question!

[alaeia]

Hmm. This would be a good one to present to the LJ debate community. In my opinion, there are compelling points for both. Religious people would say #1 I'm sure, because of the meek thing and the honor thy parents clause. I suppose the question of moral superiority would lie in the details of the actions of #2. Did #2 struggle by ignoring his parents and causing their condition to worsen, or did #2 struggle by putting himself through college while he worked at the same time to support his parents? What were the intentions/motivations behind his wealth? Did he attain it for selfish purposes, or for the good of those he loved?

So, I guess the answer is I don't know. :-D

[fuddy_dark]

i would have to say that this question can't be answered, because the decision to do either isn't a moral choice. its two separate people. if the choice was, "should the young man give up his career and stay behind to support his parents, or should he go his own path, although equally difficult to become a very wealthy industrialist" it would still be hard to decide, but i could chose.

right now, there is no morally superior choice, since they are two separate people. both equally acceptable.

and if it is the same person in the question, that would be more of a values question than a moral question, but i know you don't know what words mean, and that you like to make up new definitions for already existing words, so that's ok. :)