Which Is More Imortant?

[Redbaron007]

Of the two choices offered, which do you think is most important, the "Greater Good", or the "Good of the Individual"?

I am sure some will label me selfish, but I am inclined to believe that the good of the individual is of upmost importance. Does anyone disagree? Why?

Thanks- s.K.

I believe there is no blanket answer to the OPs question, but only an answer to a specific situation. However, I do throw this out, when it comes to a government making the decision, it will decide on the Greater Good; therefore, they (the gubberment) should be limited on making these kinds of decisions; ie the Patient Protection & Affordable Healthcare Act (aka Obamacare).

 

[carry for myself]

i think it is situation based question. in a SD situation..........IF i can use the tools and skills at my disposal to save others without putting myself in 100% jeopardy. i would. however if someones popping off rounds from an AK in another direction, and putting myself into a wooden box will be the outcome of me trying to stop them......i may take a second thought at it and turn tail and run.

there are many circumstances where the good of me would outweigh the good of others, but on the other hand there are many where the good of others would outweigh the good of me.......like an SD situation where friends and family were involved. would i die to protect the ones i love? gladly. would i die to protect some guy on main st? maybe? probably not.

 

[slowfiveoh]

Even the biological imperative of the individual to survive has its exceptions. There are numerous examples of various species whose indidividuals sacrifice themselves in order to protect teir young, and there are just as many if not more examples where the older generation will consume the young in order to survive lean times.

There is no quandary here. The answer is clear.

Define the path that inflicts no harm on another.

 

[Brass Magnet]

To make a point that I realize failed to in my earlier post. I make a distinction between government forcing a "greater good" decision on it's citizens and an individual citizen making a decision of his/her own free will.

If an individual feels the need to contribute to "the greater good" and, hurts no one, nor forces another to make the same decision, I have absolutely no problem with it. I suspect we all could make that choice under the right set of circumstances and the decision isn't anyone else's business but our own.

 

[since9]

The TRUE meaning of "The Greatest Good"

I make a distinction between government forcing a "greater good" decision on it's citizens...

I'm glad you're making the distinction, BM, as such decisions invariably require a compromise of individual freedoms.

There is no quandary here. The answer is clear.

Define the path that inflicts no harm on another.

Indeed, this is the path that results in the least personal sacrifice, the greatest amount of good for all, and the best protection of our freedoms, both individual and collective.

 

[SourKraut]

Speaking Of Star Trek...

...does anybody remember The Trouble With Tribbles?

I Know I do!