From: D
Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2019 8:01 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: re: Murder

“If the Martians threaten to blow up our entire planet unless someone kills innocent person Joe, it is murder to do so, but it would not be wrong to murder him, paradoxically, saving all others except for him.”

I believe murder is ALWAYS morally wrong.  However, in a situation such as you describe it may (most likely will) be decided that the greater good necessitates that this wrong act is carried out.  However necessary it is,  it is still wrong and the perpetrator(s) must bear the guilt of this wrong act, whether or not they are punished for it. (Likely not punished)

D

Dear D:

Of course any decent person would have qualms about, feel guilty about, killing, murdering, an innocent person. However, I don’t see why it is morally wrong to save the entire planet. Maybe we just define “wrong” and “moral” differently.

Best regards,

Walter

The Best of Walter E. Block