☿ // 006; [anonymous text]

[fionnuisce]

A few questions for you.

If someone's existence or action is so reprehensible as to require a form of vengeance, is it then 'right' to act against them? Does one evil act justify another?

Furthermore, does any act justify murder in the name of what's 'right'? (Assume our example is in a place where death actually has normal consequences.)

Comments

[permanon text until they're stupid]

[fionnuisce]

I'm well aware of that. I sought opinions more than I did a 'yes' or 'no'.

[AnonText-It shouldn't take long.]

[oathshackledbird]

Why do you need options? Do you know someone who is about take such action? Do you believe their decision wrong?

[fionnuisce]

It's nothing more than curiosity. That's all.

[oathshackledbird]

Then to serve your curiosity, I will answer with one more question. If taking that one evil action might save the lives of hundreds if not thousands of people, wouldn't it be more evil NOT to act?

Sometimes things grow beyond vengeance even if that was where they originally began.

[fionnuisce]

There's one crucial factor you're missing.

I doubt every individual in such a position could shoulder the burden of taking an evil action in the name of justice at the same time as getting blood on their hands.

[oathshackledbird]

So you worry for the mental strength of the one who has to take that action? Would it not be a kind of karmic justice for the person taking such an evil action to stop evil to be broken by that action?

And the people would still be saved. Not everyone gets to be a hero. Nor wishes to be.

[fionnuisce]

So by killing someone they would call evil, the one acting on the side of justice just takes that guilt and bloodshed as the price of others' safety.

Equivalent exchange at its finest. I shouldn't be surprised.

[oathshackledbird]

Indeed, you shouldn't be. We could argue what is right and what is wrong all day, but in the end it really doesn't matter because the world will find a balance to what is right and what is wrong regardless of what we think.

And, furthermore, you shouldn't be surprised if you find out that the one taking those actions is well aware of their wrongness and, perhaps, is even waiting for the wrong he is committing to be righted because he knows it will be someday. And his pain still won't matter because those people will be safe.

[fionnuisce]

Will they, in a place like this?

Even setting aside the implications of taking justice into one's own hands, even death is just a temporary solution.

[oathshackledbird]

They will!

[Whoa...down boy.]

What is death is not the real goal here? What is that is only a by product and the real goal is to teach that person that their actions will not go unchallenged from here on out? That people will fight them, even if they won't always win?

[fionnuisce]

Some people can't be taught things like that. They might well get up, brush the matter off, and keep going.

[oathshackledbird]

Everyone can be taught. It just takes a teacher who is willing to keep trying until they learn.

[fionnuisce]

And you'd be willing to kill someone repeatedly until they got the message?

[oathshackledbird]

...

...

If it keeps others safe? Then yes, I would become a monster to do it. I have already fallen quite a way. Better me than someone else.

[fionnuisce]

There's someone I want to protect. While I can say I would do anything for them, when it comes down to it I'm doubting I would have the strength--mentally, never mind physically--to kill for them no matter how I know it would be right.

How do you handle it? Knowing others have died at your hands so you and those you care about could survive, I mean.

[oathshackledbird]

You don't really handle it. It is always there. That pain...that darkness. A lot of people eventually lose themselves to it if they truly aren't strong enough to handle it and try anyway.

If you really don't think you can do it, for the sake of the one you want to protect, don't. Find some other way. I am sure it would kill him more more quickly than anything else to know you fell into darkness because of him.

For me...I focus on the good that will come from the act. Those who will be saved. Those who will be protected. Those who won't have to suffer the lose of someone close to them again. Even if the path to accomplishing those things is long, it is worth it if that goal can eventually be fulfilled.

[fionnuisce]

...

I think I fell a long time ago, in some measure.

So one more 'evil' act for the sake of others probably wouldn't matter much for me at this point, if I think about it. If it would really be a step in the right direction, then logically the choice is an obvious one.

[oathshackledbird]

Do you really mean that? It will do the one you wish to protect no good if you are not sure of your choices.

If you are sure...then falling together would not be so bad, would it? At least then, neither of you would be alone.

[fionnuisce]

That would just be worse. He has the capacity to be a far better and more caring person than I am. The kind of life I chose isn't one that someone like him should follow me into.

[oathshackledbird]

You don't get to make that choice. You gave him free will. Encouraged him to make his own choices. You can't take that back now just because you don't like his choices.

[fionnuisce]

I encourage it, yes.

But if it's the wrong fucking choice, I'll tell him it's the wrong fucking choice.

[oathshackledbird]

And if he still chooses to make that wrong choice? What then? Will you abandon him because he has disagreed with you?

[locked; still anon because idiots]

[fionnuisce]

...You really think I would do that to you?

[locked; like he's going to think to turn it off?]

[oathshackledbird]

No.

Do you really think I would ever leave your side even in the darkest of dark places? No matter if I am better or more caring than you? Someone must be your light in those places...

Rise or fall, we go together. Please, just forgive me for being the one to fall this time.

[locked; dumbasses]

[fionnuisce]

Don't be stupid. I'm not going to let you do anything of the sort. If you'll insist on starting to fall, then it'll be up to me to pull you back, now won't it?