A difficult predicament

[phoenixmonarch]

Ok here is a philosophical scenerio we talked about in Ethics class both Friday and today. Feedback please! Tell me what you would do

Comments

Indeed

[tereeses]

Ideally, I'd like to say that I would not take the job. I understand the difficulty of the situation though because it's very tempting to accept the job and have your family better off. Sorry, you wanted a direct answer, not more philosophizing. I'd hope that I would not take the job - sorry that isn't direct. I would not take the job. How will it make me happy if I compromise my values and beliefs just so I can make more money? As long as my family is surviving, even if just barely, then it's fine. Regardless of how much more money I can earn from this new job, how can I justify working for the purpose of creating instruments of destruction? Should my family prosper at the cost of other peoples' lives? Even if the weapons I helped create were never used, an accident may occur and who knows how many people will suffer as a result. Such a choice is far too risky. It is not worth my peace of mind and peace of soul. I could always write a brilliant book or teach at a university or something else that would not be a strain on my heart.

THAT'S a dilemma?!

[sexycatpurrbaby]

boy, i wish i were in that predicament. lol. no, i would not take the job. although i'm not as pro-peace as some of my close friends, i do agree with T that an accident could occur, and in such a case, guilt would be consuming. however, since the family is surviving physically, i would not take the job. the family members are unhappy; is this such an unusual situation? i think not. there are other ways - aside from bringing in more money for necessary things and desired goods - to increase the family's level of happiness. communication can be key. interest and support are key. and if one parent is out of a job, doesn't that mean they have some more time at home to cater to the children's needs? SPEND TIME WITH YOUR LOVED ONES! In the end, they're really all you have. that's why i thank God so often for my friends, for they are my real family.

[kireiemiri]

I think that I would take the job simply because we as humans have to look out for ourselves and our families before anyone else. Yes, it is sad that people might die from the weapons of mass destruction but I would rather have my family and children live then strangers. I'm not heartless.

[phoenixmonarch]

all of your reponces are intersting and really made me think. I asked alot of people this question too and got alot of interesting responses from my roomies, family members, and friends. As for me, my first response was to take the job, but then after thinking more about it, I recanted my first answer.

If I took the job, then I would have no integrity.I feel that there has to be some line that we should not cross, as humans, to maintain our humanity. Sometimes we must suffer for the sake of what is good in life. At least that's my opinion.

I don't think there is any right or wrong answer to this question, only what you feel is right or wrong.