Ethical Dilemma: Killing in War - Justifiable or Murder?

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The discussion centers around a hypothetical scenario in which a soldier must decide whether to kill an enemy combatant who is a conscript and unaware of their presence. Participants explore the moral implications of such an action, questioning if it can be justified under the circumstances of war. Many argue that killing the soldier would be unethical, equating it to murder since the enemy poses no immediate threat and is not fighting willingly. Others contend that following orders or preventing potential future threats could justify the act, despite its moral weight. The conversation also touches on the emotional consequences of taking a life, considering the impact on the soldier's family and the broader implications of war. Ultimately, the discussion reveals deep ethical dilemmas surrounding duty, morality, and the nature of warfare, with participants expressing varied viewpoints on the justification of killing in combat situations.
  • #31
Murder by definition is pre-meditated killing of another human being.

personally i couldn't answer the scenario without a lot more information. if i had been ordered to shot any enemy on sight, then not shooting would be disobeying a direct order, grounds for court martial if the stakes were high enough. if i knew so much about him, such as he was a conscript and going home the next day and such, i expect that we then had an insider, and that would create a whole mess of things.. what if that soldier was the insider? what if killing him would put our insider in danger? what if letting him live would endanger the insider? what if he's part of an ambush? the questions go on... but not knowing answers to everything, as a real soldier wouldn't, i'd lean towards not shooting.
 
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  • #32
No, that's not the definition of "murder". The definition is the ILLEGAL, premeditated killing of a human being.
 
  • #33
HallsofIvy said:
No, that's not the definition of "murder". The definition is the ILLEGAL, premeditated killing of a human being.

On that definition, active euthanasia qualifies as murder, even when done at the behest of the person euthanized.
 

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