We need a break from the constant talk about the virus and think of something else. Yesterday’s post brought up an interesting question. In part, the definition of free will from Wikipedia was “Free will is the ability to choose between different possible courses of action unimpeded.” What happens when you don’t have the “free will” to choose? Are you exempt from any morality constraints? Those are questions that philosophers ask. They can be very nebulous and challenging to answer. Let me give you an example from the real world and then perhaps you can decide. A young man enters an army. In basic training, he receives a weapon whose sole purpose is to “kill and maim human beings.” His country is at war, and he soon finds himself in combat. The first man he kills is the most difficult. There are times when he finds satisfaction in killing or even kills seeking revenge for a friend he’s lost. He reaches the point where killing is just another part of his day.
Has he violated his moral responsibility just because he’s not free to choose? It is not just a useless question, but what many men face trying to serve their country. What do you think? Is what he did morally right or wrong?
3 Responses
It’s a very hard question to answer, and all I can come up with… if you wear the uniform you are exempt from “murders, or harm to commit” as it is assumed you are instructed or “following orders”, it becomes very tricky.
It is difficult to answer. It definitely has an effect on you. I think it’s one of the primary causes of PTSD.
Yes very difficult!