ethical dilemma: Is it moral to take an innocent life to save one's own life?

 The question of whether it is moral to take an innocent life to save one's own is a deeply complex ethical dilemma that involves conflicting moral principles. This scenario pits one’s instinct for self-preservation against the moral prohibition against harming innocent people.

Moral/Ethical Issues:

1. Right vs. Wrong: The question involves a potential violation of a fundamental moral law—taking an innocent life, which is generally considered wrong. This act could be seen as a severe departure from truth and moral rectitude, as it involves harming someone who is not responsible for the threat to your life.
2. Right vs. Right: On the other hand, self-preservation is also a deeply ingrained moral instinct. Here, the dilemma lies in the conflict between the right to protect one’s own life and the right of the innocent person to live.

Actors:

• You (the person facing the dilemma): Considering whether to take such an action.
• The innocent person: Whose life might be taken to save your own.

Testing for Right vs. Wrong Issues:

• Violation of Law: Most legal systems uphold the sanctity of life, and taking an innocent life would typically be considered murder.
• Departure from Truth: The act would involve a significant departure from moral truths that uphold the value of human life.
• Deviation from Moral Rectitude: The act conflicts with ethical principles that prohibit killing an innocent person.

Analyzing Right vs. Right Issues:

1. Self vs. Community (or Other): The dilemma can be viewed as a conflict between self-preservation (self) and the rights of the innocent person (community/other).
2. Justice vs. Mercy/Forgiveness: Justice would demand that you do not harm an innocent person, while mercy might recognize the desperation of your situation.
3. Truth vs. Loyalty: If loyalty to moral principles is considered, the truth may be that taking an innocent life is fundamentally wrong, regardless of the situation.
4. Short Term vs. Long Term: In the short term, saving your own life may seem justifiable, but in the long term, the moral implications and potential guilt could have lasting effects.

Resolution Principles:

• Ends-Based Principle (Utilitarianism): If saving your life leads to greater good in the long run, a utilitarian might argue it’s justifiable. However, this is highly controversial since it involves weighing lives against each other.
• Kantian Duty Principle: According to Kantian ethics, one must act according to a universal moral law, which would prohibit killing an innocent person under any circumstance.
• Care/Compassion Principle: Compassion towards the innocent life would argue strongly against taking it, emphasizing the importance of empathy and protection of the vulnerable.
• Golden Rule Principle: Would you want someone else to make the same decision if you were the innocent party? Likely not, which suggests it’s not moral to take the life.
• Non-Violation of Natural Rights Principle: The innocent person has a right to life, which should be respected.
• Ayn Rand and Objectivism: Rand’s philosophy might argue for rational self-interest, but she also upheld the non-initiation of force against others, which would oppose taking an innocent life.
• Christianity Principles: Christianity, especially the New Testament, emphasizes the sanctity of life and the commandment "Thou shalt not kill."
• Judaism Principles: Judaism also upholds the sanctity of life, making the act of taking an innocent life morally impermissible.

Hierarchy of Values:

1. Sanctity of Life: The highest value, making it difficult to justify taking an innocent life.
2. Self-Preservation: Important but not at the cost of violating the sanctity of life.
3. Moral Integrity: Upholding moral principles even in life-threatening situations.

In conclusion, while self-preservation is a powerful instinct, the moral and ethical principles that protect innocent life generally outweigh the justifications for taking such an action, making it immoral to take an innocent life to save one’s own.