The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Your moral obligation to help innocents at risk?

Twycross · October 2, 2005, 02:38 AM

I believe that "to see evil being done, and then do nothing, is no better that to have done the evil yourself." If I saw someone being mugged/raped/murdered, and did nothing, I would be resonsible for that crime. I will try to do anything I can. If there is any chance that by taking an action, an innocent victim can be saved, I will do my best to complete that action. Regardless of the risk. Maybe this is just a reaction to the possibility of having to live with myself after doing nothing. I was in a situation (turned out OK) not too long ago where I could have been responsible for other peoples deaths/injuries (and for a moment believed I was), so I can imagine how that must feel. It's not pretty.

Plus the fact that I can never quite accept that the knight vs dragon myths were only fairy tales.

October 2, 2005, 02:38 AM	#21
Twycross Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 1,187	I believe that "to see evil being done, and then do nothing, is no better that to have done the evil yourself." If I saw someone being mugged/raped/murdered, and did nothing, I would be resonsible for that crime. I will try to do anything I can. If there is any chance that by taking an action, an innocent victim can be saved, I will do my best to complete that action. Regardless of the risk. Maybe this is just a reaction to the possibility of having to live with myself after doing nothing. I was in a situation (turned out OK) not too long ago where I could have been responsible for other peoples deaths/injuries (and for a moment believed I was), so I can imagine how that must feel. It's not pretty. Plus the fact that I can never quite accept that the knight vs dragon myths were only fairy tales. __________________ The test of character is not 'hanging in' when you expect light at the end of the tunnel, but performance of duty, and persistence of example when you know no light is coming. - Vice Admiral James Stockdale, USN (ret.)