WARNING: This entry contains violence, death, and animal cruelty. Those with weak constitutions for such things should not continue to read
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Dent vs. AgrajagthisisjoelOctober 3 2005, 18:25:04 UTC
Good for you, Dent. At least your at peace enough with killing the mouse to be comfortable doing it next time.
Me, I've always handled insects much in the same way you describe for yourself. The difference with me is, the more complex it is (more legs it has) the more likely I am to carry it outside.
I've had to change a bit, as a prolonged moth infestation has caused me to kill well over 500 moths. I've rationalized it by saying "By killing this moth, I've avoided killing its dozens of potential offspring." I've managed to keep the infestation under control, and beat it back.
However, I don't think I could kill a mammal. I think my personal fear of death would prevent me from doing that.
On a similar note, I wonder how most exterminators handle this dilemma. Do they believe in reincarnation? Or do they merely create a hierarchy of organisms with humans on a different plain? Or something else entirely?
Re: Dent vs. Agrajagrenn_manOctober 4 2005, 03:57:54 UTC
What does your personal fear of death have to do with killing? Is it that you fear the repercussions of taking a life?
I really think having a moral dilemma is a luxury in most cases. The vast majority of the world has to make decisions for survival - we are a rare breed in that we can even imagine ourselves to be "above" killing. If I had to kill to eat meat, I'm sure I would do it. It might take me a while to get used to the idea, but I'd do it. As it is, I'm over the mouse thing, and that was just last night. As higher order mammals, we are designed to kill.
Comments 2
Me, I've always handled insects much in the same way you describe for yourself. The difference with me is, the more complex it is (more legs it has) the more likely I am to carry it outside.
I've had to change a bit, as a prolonged moth infestation has caused me to kill well over 500 moths. I've rationalized it by saying "By killing this moth, I've avoided killing its dozens of potential offspring." I've managed to keep the infestation under control, and beat it back.
However, I don't think I could kill a mammal. I think my personal fear of death would prevent me from doing that.
On a similar note, I wonder how most exterminators handle this dilemma. Do they believe in reincarnation? Or do they merely create a hierarchy of organisms with humans on a different plain? Or something else entirely?
-- Joel
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I really think having a moral dilemma is a luxury in most cases. The vast majority of the world has to make decisions for survival - we are a rare breed in that we can even imagine ourselves to be "above" killing. If I had to kill to eat meat, I'm sure I would do it. It might take me a while to get used to the idea, but I'd do it. As it is, I'm over the mouse thing, and that was just last night. As higher order mammals, we are designed to kill.
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