Killing Osama morally justifiable?

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The discussion revolves around the moral and legal implications of the U.S. military action that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden. Participants express differing views on whether the killing was morally justifiable, particularly in the context of U.S. laws and the concept of military action on foreign soil. Some argue that bin Laden, as the leader of a terrorist organization responsible for the deaths of thousands, was a legitimate target in a defensive war, while others question the broader implications of such actions and whether they set a precedent for justifying violence against leaders of other nations. The conversation highlights the complexity of moral perspectives, emphasizing that morality is subjective and varies based on cultural and personal beliefs. The debate also touches on the potential consequences of bin Laden's death, including the risk of retaliation from his followers. Overall, the thread illustrates the challenges in reconciling differing moral frameworks when discussing acts of violence and justice in international relations.
  • #31
JaredJames said:
Morals are personal things. Your morals =/= my morals.

Same goes for ethics.

You are looking at this as if there is one correct view of right and wrong. This just isn't the case.

Quite right. The concept of morality is purely subjective. Asking whether or not something is moral is meaningless and silly.
 
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  • #32
JaredJames said:
Apparently, according to the papers he did prefer death. But that's a non-issue here.

There are a lot of people who think it was morally wrong to kill him. There are a lot of people who think he should rot in jail.

This is why we go with law, not moral beliefs.

From Bin Laden's moral point of view (possibly KSM as well) it is morally wrong to lock them in a cage - they prefer to die (apparently)? If a prisoner (who will never be freed) wants to die - why should we not honor their wishes?
 
  • #33
WhoWee said:
If a prisoner (who will never be freed) wants to die - why should we not honor their wishes?

I have a friend who is strongly opposed to the death penalty. Her moral view on the issue is that it is giving them the easy way out and it shouldn't be available (it isn't in Britain where we are). They should serve the sentence they are given as punishment.

And why should we honour Bin Ladens moral opinion over that of someone else? Why is his suddenly the one we should go with?

Can you see the point I'm trying to make regarding the question of morality?
 
  • #34
JaredJames said:
I have a friend who is strongly opposed to the death penalty. Her moral view on the issue is that it is giving them the easy way out and it shouldn't be available (it isn't in Britain where we are). They should serve the sentence they are given as punishment.

And why should we honour Bin Ladens moral opinion over that of someone else? Why is his suddenly the one we should go with?

Can you see the point I'm trying to make regarding the question of morality?

I understand your point. I'm just glad he's dead - NEXT!
 
  • #35
Hurkyl said:
From your post, it sounds like you aren't interested in the question "Was killing Osama morally justifiable", but are instead interested in a question more like "Is taking military action on foreign soil morally justifiable?" Could you clarify your intent?

I guess the intent was to start a discussion of some of the issures raised in the broadcast.

But judging from the posts so far, I don't see any evidence that anybody actually took the time to listen to it.
 
  • #36
AlephZero said:
But judging from the posts so far, I don't see any evidence that anybody actually took the time to listen to it.

Regardless of the issue, my posts regarding morality stand.
 
  • #37
AlephZero said:
I guess the intent was to start a discussion of some of the issures raised in the broadcast.

But judging from the posts so far, I don't see any evidence that anybody actually took the time to listen to it.

Admittedly, we've strayed a bit - would you care to guide us back on-track?
 
  • #38
AlephZero said:
But judging from the posts so far, I don't see any evidence that anybody actually took the time to listen to it.
You can't reasonably expect someone to spend 45 minutes of their life without even knowing what topic you are actually interested in!

As for me personally, there's an extra factor: I despise listening to recordings (especially videos) for these sorts of things -- I would feel like I've wasted 45 minutes of my life receiving content that I could have (more easily and clearly!) gotten through 5-10 minutes of reading if it was presented as such.

Also, since you didn't provide direction at the beginning, the thread did as threads naturally do -- people supply their own topics. It was clear from the opening post that was going to happen, which is why I tried to prompt you to to provide that direction.
 
  • #39
I'm still waiting for an answer from the OP regarding whose morals we are using and why it should be those ones, and thus answering the question by itself.

Or does the thread title have nothing to do with the content of that video?
 
  • #40
This is not productive. Closed.
 

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