A Serious Question

[Krokus]

I just brought this up in the chat room, and now I really want to know what everyone thinks. This question is one that I first heard on the movie "Wayne's World".


Why is it, that when a man kills another man in the heat of battle, it is called heroic, but when he kills a man in the heat of passion, its called murder?


I just think that that is an interesting point. Any opinions?

 

[Strelnikov]

Short answer is, the first is sanctioned by society, and the second usually isn't. That varies with the time and place. Not all that long ago, murder trial juries in some parts of this country considered "He needed killing" to be grounds for acquittal.

Strelnikov

 

[qjakal]

Long and short of it...

The first endeavor advances the cause of the whole, while the second is ...personal, and therefore requires accountability. As I'm sure you're aware though, there have been instances even in wartime that have stepped over the line and been labeled "massacres" for various reasons... Q

 

[TicklingDuo]

As usual, this depends on who you ask. For some, war itself is a close call...thus, what many call the "just war" theory. In this, even killing in war must be proven to be necessary and the lesser of two evils. It also greatly limits the range of action that can be taken. Actually, the current response to the terrorist attacks would (so far) be within the just war criteria.

AFA individual acts, there are also differences....ie: self-defence, though it is still (I believe) refered to as homicide until self-defense is clearly proved.

Then, there are those for whom the killing of another is never justified for any reason. Some even refer to the death penalty as murder.

I think the main thing that plays into these opinions is the individual's view of life in general. If life is valued, they will find it more difficult to accept death. If life is seen as lacking in quality, death will be welcomed. I recall an African student I was in school with sharing that his culture mourns the birth of a child...because of the struggle he/she will face...while they rejoice in death and see it as a release from suffering.

Myself...I hate to see anyone die, justified or not. But, I can accept death when it's for the greater good.

Ann

 

[red indian]

Paint it black

I love the line in Apocalyps Now when the asassin character, realising he is on a mission to execute a general for murder, compares his task to handing out speeding tickets at Indianapolis.