Simple question
What, if any, is the moral and ethical responsiblity to the populous at large?

Scenario 1:
While walking down the street you observe a mugging take place. Two (apparently) unarmed thugs are robbing an unknown woman in broad daylight. There are no police within sight, and no one else seems to take notice or choose to intervene. What, if any, responsibility do you have?

Scenario 2:
The thugs in scenario #1 are now armed with hand guns. You are unarmed. The woman's life is in obvious danger. What is your responsibliity now?

Scenario 3:The woman in scenario #2 is now a close friend, or relative. What is your responsibliity now?

Answer these questions to yourself. If your answer differes from scenario-to-scenario, ask yourself why?

I borrowed this from a martial arts forum and thought that some of the people here might like to toss the idea around.

call 911 for help on my cell phone, on all of them.

1) I'd shout my lungs out, then chase, if I see even a glimpse of a weapon I'd run back to the woman.

2) I'd shout, call for help, but definately not chase.

3) Ditto from 1

<font color="cyan">

1. Chase them, hurt them.
2. Sensibly leave it be, call the police, and HOPE its just a mugging with no pointless violence.
3. Grab the biggest, heaviest thing I can find, and t^^t one of them around the head. The second guy'd shoot me(?), and then the woman can get the gun? Or something. At least I'd av got one of em. Only if it was my mother/gma or very close relative.</font>

1) I would yell "FREEZE POLICE!". Knowing most common unarmed thugs they won't want to get arrested and run away thus protecting the female and myself for any sort of violence. I would also call 911 on my cell phone before doing this.
2) Call 911 as soon as I witness this and assest the sitution based on the surrounding area. Weather or not I could sneak up on them or just call the police and try to distract them from the female.
3) In my best ability save whoever is being mugged without really thinking it through. No matter how much you say you will act cool when you see a loved one getting mugged by 2 armed men you act before you think.

I'm not eager to jump in the line of sight of someone who points a gun, but you never know how you'd react in situations like that. Let's just say i hope i never have to go through this.

I call the police from my cell phone and try to study the muggers face by hard before the police arrive.

I believe it is the ethical responsibly of any individual to intervene, to the best of their abilities.

In the given scenario there are others around who have not noticed or have not chosen to act. If no one acts, then most likely no else will. However, if one person decides to do something, hopefully some else will also. I think as civilized human beings, who care for everyone, we should all be that first person to act.

To make sure she is personally safe.

very good question Hunter.

1) Been in that sort of situation before. Confronted said punks (with a few friends), intimidated them away.

2) Hard decision, and I don't really think that a reasoned answer can be given. It would be more of an on-the-spot action situation I think, although it would be nice to think I'd do something to help.

3) That would make the decision easier (theoretically). I wouldn't be able to live myself if I had the opportunity to defend a loved one but chose not to.

I think homer is on to something. Lead by example. Show others that you are not afraid and people will rally behind you (which ties into my number 1 answer). Bullies are surprisingly quick to stand down to firm opposition.

[ 01-30-2003, 08:12 AM: Message edited by: The Hierophant ]

Not always dude. When i was still in school, one of my classmates also chose the side of the underdog. The bully in question just pulled out a gun, and at the moment he pulled the trigger, my classmate stepped between the two. His last words were: guys...guys...let's all..... BOOOOM. He got shot in the head. The bullet wasn't meant for him, but it ended his life nonetheless. This particular bully was edgy, so you never can tell how it's going to end.

That's true, you're right. Good intentions don't stop bullets.
But to let a bully get away with that sort of disgusting aggression... just doesn't sit right. The bullet wasn't meant for your friend, but if he didn't get in the way then the 'underdog' would have been shot, and your friend would have had to watch him die instead. A regrettable situation, my sympathies go out to you. No matter how long ago it was I'm sure something like that would leave it's mark on a person...
The streets would be alot safer if people couldn't resort to the handgun 'trump card' so easily. As it stands, it's up to all of us to not let gun-toting cowards get their way in things.

[ 01-30-2003, 09:04 AM: Message edited by: The Hierophant ]

I am truly sorry for what happened to your friend. I think what he did was heroic and should be viewed as such. Use his example to give people a reason to help others, not a reason to walk away.

I dont believe anyone can truly say what they would do in any of those scenerios, just what they would hope to do. I would hope that I would step in no matter what the situation is, but I am not going to say what I would do, becouse theres no way to know.

I did step in on a domestic issue once, and confronted the guy, I got slaped by the woman.

Can I get an Amen?
Can I get a hallelujah?
Puh-RAAAAAAISE JEE-ZUSS!
:D