Save your dog or a stranger (1 Viewer)

[Clayton Gray]

I've had a few dogs and still wonder about anyone that would not save another human being.

No offense GBCG, but you also have Iron Maiden as your avatar. We're going to take what you say with a *grain* of salt.

OK

 

[Leaping Lenny Poffo]

Now did my dog jump in trying to save this stranger from drowning? If that's the case I would save the stranger. I wouldn't want to save my dog and have it live the rest of its life feeling like a failure. I would show the stranger the same respect if he was the one who jumped in to save my dog. No one likes failures.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

REALLY freaking selfish (and pretty downright twisted) to save an animal that will likely live about another decade over a human being...

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

I've had a few dogs and still wonder about anyone that would not save another human being.

No offense GBCG, but you also have Iron Maiden as your avatar. We're going to take what you say with a *grain* of salt.

OK

Deploy the Eddie Disembowelment schematics

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I stumped a dog-owner with this question a few weeks ago, and I was shocked that he was stumped. Despite all the evidence that some people find it to be a really hard question, it just seems so easy to me.

I've never owned a dog, though.

 

[satch]

One of them is a loved, and valued member of my family. Since the number one responsibility of a man is to protect his family, the choice is clear.

 

[The Ghost of Common]

Dogs are awesome.

People suck.

Save MY dog, no question about it for me. I'm a loser, but my dog is my closest companion.

 

[satch]

I have to say that between both threads, I've yet to hear anyone actually give any valid reasons as to why I should save the stranger. Those of us who would save our dog have plenty of reasons, yet we're called terrible, crazy, etc.

Why should I save the stranger? Why? If the answer is so obvious, it should be simple to explain.

 

[NoCheese]

I have to say that between both threads, I've yet to hear anyone actually give any valid reasons as to why I should save the stranger. Those of us who would save our dog have plenty of reasons, yet we're called terrible, crazy, etc. Why should I save the stranger? Why? If the answer is so obvious, it should be simple to explain.

Human life >>>>> dog lifeSimple enough?

 

[NCCommish]

I voted dog before and I'll vote dog now. The one exception being a child. I've thought about it since the last vote and honestly I couldn't allow a child to drown if I could help it. Everyone over the age of 18 is on their own. The dog is family, the stranger is a stranger.

 

[NCCommish]

I have to say that between both threads, I've yet to hear anyone actually give any valid reasons as to why I should save the stranger. Those of us who would save our dog have plenty of reasons, yet we're called terrible, crazy, etc. Why should I save the stranger? Why? If the answer is so obvious, it should be simple to explain.

Human life >>>>> dog lifeSimple enough?

If I am going to risk my human life it will be for the family member first. Except in cases of children as mentioned.

 

[the moops]

REALLY freaking selfish (and pretty downright twisted) to save an animal that will likely live about another decade over a human being...

What if the human being is 90, and will very likely only live for a few more years tops?

 

[satch]

I have to say that between both threads, I've yet to hear anyone actually give any valid reasons as to why I should save the stranger. Those of us who would save our dog have plenty of reasons, yet we're called terrible, crazy, etc. Why should I save the stranger? Why? If the answer is so obvious, it should be simple to explain.

Human life >>>>> dog lifeSimple enough?

Says who?

 

[NoCheese]

I voted dog before and I'll vote dog now. The one exception being a child. I've thought about it since the last vote and honestly I couldn't allow a child to drown if I could help it. Everyone over the age of 18 is on their own. The dog is family, the stranger is a stranger.

Kind of ironic that you have the Ronald Reagan quote about each and every life being valuable, but you'd rescue an animal before a fellow man.

 

[bostonfred]

I have to say that between both threads, I've yet to hear anyone actually give any valid reasons as to why I should save the stranger. Those of us who would save our dog have plenty of reasons, yet we're called terrible, crazy, etc. Why should I save the stranger? Why? If the answer is so obvious, it should be simple to explain.

Human life is more important than nonhuman life. The two central tenets of human behavior are self preservation and species preservation. We see this in law all the time. If someone hit your dog with their car, they'd be really sorry about it, but they wouldn't be put in jail for vehicular manslaughter. The same is true for euthanasia, leash laws, etc. Since we have a mountain of precedent that human life is more valuable in society than dog life, the burden of proof is on you to explain why you should save the dog over the human. And while I've heard plenty of reasons why you should save your dog, I have yet to hear anyone actually give any valid reasons that explain why you should do so at the expense of another human life.

 

[NoCheese]

I have to say that between both threads, I've yet to hear anyone actually give any valid reasons as to why I should save the stranger. Those of us who would save our dog have plenty of reasons, yet we're called terrible, crazy, etc. Why should I save the stranger? Why? If the answer is so obvious, it should be simple to explain.

Human life >>>>> dog lifeSimple enough?

Says who?

Most all rational beings

 

[NCCommish]

I voted dog before and I'll vote dog now. The one exception being a child. I've thought about it since the last vote and honestly I couldn't allow a child to drown if I could help it. Everyone over the age of 18 is on their own. The dog is family, the stranger is a stranger.

Kind of ironic that you have the Ronald Reagan quote about each and every life being valuable, but you'd rescue an animal before a fellow man.

I'd rescue a family member over a stranger.

 

[Black Box]

REALLY freaking selfish (and pretty downright twisted) to save an animal that will likely live about another decade over a human being...

What if the human being is 90, and will very likely only live for a few more years tops?

What if the dog is 12, and will very likely only live for a few more months tops?These questions cut both ways...

 

[bostonfred]

If someone saw your dog drowning and allowed them to die while they saved another human, would you be upset? If someone let your wife die so they could save their dog, would you be more or less upset? What if it were your sister, or brother?

 

[bostonfred]

I voted dog before and I'll vote dog now. The one exception being a child. I've thought about it since the last vote and honestly I couldn't allow a child to drown if I could help it. Everyone over the age of 18 is on their own. The dog is family, the stranger is a stranger.

Kind of ironic that you have the Ronald Reagan quote about each and every life being valuable, but you'd rescue an animal before a fellow man.

I'd rescue a family member over a stranger.

That's a perfectly reasonable tiebreaker when choosing which human to save. What reason do you have for allowing a human to die?

 

[NCCommish]

If someone saw your dog drowning and allowed them to die while they saved another human, would you be upset? If someone let your wife die so they could save their dog, would you be more or less upset? What if it were your sister, or brother?

We've been through this in the other thread. If someone is throwing their life on the line it is their choice to make. And to live with.

 

[bostonfred]

I have to say that between both threads, I've yet to hear anyone actually give any valid reasons as to why I should save the stranger. Those of us who would save our dog have plenty of reasons, yet we're called terrible, crazy, etc. Why should I save the stranger? Why? If the answer is so obvious, it should be simple to explain.

Human life >>>>> dog lifeSimple enough?

Says who?

Cats, for sure. Most humans, too.

 

[Black Box]

I have to say that between both threads, I've yet to hear anyone actually give any valid reasons as to why I should save the stranger. Those of us who would save our dog have plenty of reasons, yet we're called terrible, crazy, etc. Why should I save the stranger? Why? If the answer is so obvious, it should be simple to explain.

If I were in a drowning situation, I would hope that a stranger would save me before his dog. Hence, I'd save a stranger before my dog.

 

[Lieutenant Dan]

VOTE DOG

 

[NCCommish]

I voted dog before and I'll vote dog now. The one exception being a child. I've thought about it since the last vote and honestly I couldn't allow a child to drown if I could help it. Everyone over the age of 18 is on their own. The dog is family, the stranger is a stranger.

Kind of ironic that you have the Ronald Reagan quote about each and every life being valuable, but you'd rescue an animal before a fellow man.

I'd rescue a family member over a stranger.

That's a perfectly reasonable tiebreaker when choosing which human to save. What reason do you have for allowing a human to die?

The human isn't a family member. And it's my life to risk.

 

[Lieutenant Dan]

what if I can't swim and I see a stranger drowning? Am I supposed to try to save him and drown myself?

 

[bostonfred]

If someone saw your dog drowning and allowed them to die while they saved another human, would you be upset? If someone let your wife die so they could save their dog, would you be more or less upset? What if it were your sister, or brother?

We've been through this in the other thread. If someone is throwing their life on the line it is their choice to make. And to live with.

OK, so let's assume that there was a car accident on a bridge over a frozen river. Your dog was out on the ice, running around having fun, when a man was knocked off the bridge and cracked the ice below. He appeared stunned at first, but now is aware that he has moments to live. Your dog fell into the water at a separate spot on the ice during the fray. You have your truck parked nearby, and it has a tow cable you can use to save one of them, but not both of them. There's nobody else close enough to help, and at the current water temperatures, one of them will certainly - not probably - die. The other will certainly - not probably - live. And using the tow cable, you are not putting your life or car or anything or anyone else at risk in any way. At this point, there's no blame, no risk to you, and no chance that one lives if you save the other. You still save your dog?

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

I hate people

 

[bostonfred]

what if I can't swim and I see a stranger drowning? Am I supposed to try to save him and drown myself?

You're adding things to the hypothetical. This is not a valid reason to vote dog.

 

[joffer]

I voted dog before and I'll vote dog now. The one exception being a child. I've thought about it since the last vote and honestly I couldn't allow a child to drown if I could help it. Everyone over the age of 18 is on their own. The dog is family, the stranger is a stranger.

 

[Lieutenant Dan]

what if I can't swim and I see a stranger drowning? Am I supposed to try to save him and drown myself?

You're adding things to the hypothetical. This is not a valid reason to vote dog.

zip it, Fred. I'm still saving my pup.

 

[NoCheese]

So much for the Universal Brotherhood/Brother's Keeper/Fellow Man stuff.

This is a really twisted thread. I am absolutely shocked at the results.

Would any of you who chose your dog over a human give up your own life for your dog? I think I'd have an easier time accepting it if that were the case.

 

[Black Box]

I'd like to change my vote.

First, I'll add the arbitrary criteria to the hypothetical that I know whether the person drowning would have saved a stranger or his dog if he were in my position.

If he would have saved his dog, I'll save my dog.

If he would have saved the stranger, I'll save him.

Now everyone can be happy with my decision

 

[satch]

I have to say that between both threads, I've yet to hear anyone actually give any valid reasons as to why I should save the stranger. Those of us who would save our dog have plenty of reasons, yet we're called terrible, crazy, etc.

Why should I save the stranger? Why? If the answer is so obvious, it should be simple to explain.

Human life is more important than nonhuman life. The two central tenets of human behavior are self preservation and species preservation. We see this in law all the time. If someone hit your dog with their car, they'd be really sorry about it, but they wouldn't be put in jail for vehicular manslaughter. The same is true for euthanasia, leash laws, etc. Since we have a mountain of precedent that human life is more valuable in society than dog life, the burden of proof is on you to explain why you should save the dog over the human. And while I've heard plenty of reasons why you should save your dog, I have yet to hear anyone actually give any valid reasons that explain why you should do so at the expense of another human life.

First of all, I don't claim to be right. In fact, I don't think either answer is right. Therefore, I don't accept the burden of proof. I never claimed that the dogs life is more valuable than the human life. I think it's unbelievably absurd to think that we, as humans, could possibly be fit to make that determination considering the overwhelming bias. I have to question the two tenets of human behavior you referred to. Judging by the poll results from the original thread, those tenets you base your stance on don't seem to be holding up. Things stand about 50/50 so far.

If we're going to debate the value of human life vs the life of a dog, we have to do so objectively, not from the viewpoint of a human. After all, a dog would probably value another dogs life over that of a human, so it's a stalemate. Therefore, considering this from the standpoint of an objective onlooker who does not share those tenets you referred to, I see absolutely no reason to place more value on the life of a human over that of a dog. My determination would be that a dog has every bit as much right to live as a human.

 

[bostonfred]

If we're going to debate the value of human life vs the life of a dog, we have to do so objectively, not from the viewpoint of a human.

No we don't. We're humans. If we're asking what a dog would do, that would be a different question. I would expect an educated human to make a better decision than a dog would. And if that educated human did not pick the stranger, I would expect them to go to jail.

 

[John Mamula]

I've had a few dogs and still wonder about anyone that would not save another human being.

The human mind is a weird and strange place. I personally have a dog and would save my dog over a stranger without a moment's hesitation.

Just like I would save a friend or family member over a stranger.By owning our dogs I have taken the responsibility to care the best for them and they reciprocate that with unconditional love.Stranger loses.

 

[John Mamula]

If we're going to debate the value of human life vs the life of a dog, we have to do so objectively, not from the viewpoint of a human.

No we don't. We're humans. If we're asking what a dog would do, that would be a different question. I would expect an educated human to make a better decision than a dog would. And if that educated human did not pick the stranger, I would expect them to go to jail.

You can go to jail for not saving someone?OK.

 

[GTBilly]

I have to say that between both threads, I've yet to hear anyone actually give any valid reasons as to why I should save the stranger. Those of us who would save our dog have plenty of reasons, yet we're called terrible, crazy, etc. Why should I save the stranger? Why? If the answer is so obvious, it should be simple to explain.

Human life >>>>> dog lifeSimple enough?

My Dog's Life>>>>>>>Random Human LifeApparently your statement wasn't simple enough.

 

[bostonfred]

If we're going to debate the value of human life vs the life of a dog, we have to do so objectively, not from the viewpoint of a human.

No we don't. We're humans. If we're asking what a dog would do, that would be a different question. I would expect an educated human to make a better decision than a dog would. And if that educated human did not pick the stranger, I would expect them to go to jail.

You can go to jail for not saving someone?OK.

In this case, yes. It's provable negligence. If I choose not to save someone, the generally assumed defense is that I would have to risk my own life to do so, and the state cannot compel me to risk my life for someone else. But in this case, I cannot make that defense. I'm at no greater risk in saving one vs. the other.

 

[E-Z Glider]

Answering on a message board is not the same as real life either. Id be willing to bet that the number of people who would actually save an animal over a human if they were in that situation is MUCH smaller than the percentage of people voting dog here.

 

[valhallan]

I have to say that between both threads, I've yet to hear anyone actually give any valid reasons as to why I should save the stranger. Those of us who would save our dog have plenty of reasons, yet we're called terrible, crazy, etc.

Why should I save the stranger? Why? If the answer is so obvious, it should be simple to explain.

Human life >>>>> dog lifeSimple enough?

My Dog A captive animal who wouldn't know me from Adam if someone else had claimed him from the wild >>>>>>> Random Human Life

Fixed

 

[bostonfred]

How far does this go? Would any of you save your goldfish over a human, too? What if you saw your favorite chair on a cracking sheet of ice over the river, and a stranger who was about to drown, would you save your chair? What if it was a really comfortable chair?

 

[FatMax]

I've had a few dogs and still wonder about anyone that would not save another human being.

The human mind is a weird and strange place. I personally have a dog and would save my dog over a stranger without a moment's hesitation.

Just like I would save a friend or family member over a stranger.By owning our dogs I have taken the responsibility to care the best for them and they reciprocate that with unconditional love.Stranger loses.

Right. Just like if I had to make a decision between swerving and possibly spilling soda on my car seat or plowing your dog, your dog loses.

 

[DrJ]

I've had a few dogs and still wonder about anyone that would not save another human being.

The human mind is a weird and strange place. I personally have a dog and would save my dog over a stranger without a moment's hesitation.

Just like I would save a friend or family member over a stranger.By owning our dogs I have taken the responsibility to care the best for them and they reciprocate that with unconditional love.Stranger loses.

Right. Just like if I had to make a decision between swerving and possibly spilling soda on my car seat or plowing your dog, your dog loses.

 

[bostonfred]

I've had a few dogs and still wonder about anyone that would not save another human being.

The human mind is a weird and strange place. I personally have a dog and would save my dog over a stranger without a moment's hesitation.

Just like I would save a friend or family member over a stranger.By owning our dogs I have taken the responsibility to care the best for them and they reciprocate that with unconditional love.Stranger loses.

Right. Just like if I had to make a decision between swerving and possibly spilling soda on my car seat or plowing your dog, your dog loses.

 

[Lieutenant Dan]

I've had a few dogs and still wonder about anyone that would not save another human being.

The human mind is a weird and strange place. I personally have a dog and would save my dog over a stranger without a moment's hesitation.

Just like I would save a friend or family member over a stranger.By owning our dogs I have taken the responsibility to care the best for them and they reciprocate that with unconditional love.Stranger loses.

Right. Just like if I had to make a decision between swerving and possibly spilling soda on my car seat or plowing your dog, your dog loses.

Well if Max is drowning I'm not saving him even if my dog is sitting there with me.

 

[Frostillicus]

How far does this go? Would any of you save your goldfish over a human, too? What if you saw your favorite chair on a cracking sheet of ice over the river, and a stranger who was about to drown, would you save your chair? What if it was a really comfortable chair?

I'd save a really comfortable chair over a dog any day.

 

[bostonfred]

How far does this go? Would any of you save your goldfish over a human, too? What if you saw your favorite chair on a cracking sheet of ice over the river, and a stranger who was about to drown, would you save your chair? What if it was a really comfortable chair?

I'd save a really comfortable chair over a dog any day.

That goes without saying.

 

[Black Box]

How far does this go? Would any of you save your goldfish over a human, too? What if you saw your favorite chair on a cracking sheet of ice over the river, and a stranger who was about to drown, would you save your chair? What if it was a really comfortable chair?

I'd save a really comfortable chair over a dog any day.

That goes without saying.

Heck, if my dog was on the chair and weighing it down so I couldn't get it to shore, I'd throw my dog off to preserve the chair. I could live with my decision, and I think an objective bystander would agree with me that their value is a wash, so it's an OK thing to do

 

[bigbottom]

I've had a few dogs and still wonder about anyone that would not save another human being.

The human mind is a weird and strange place. I personally have a dog and would save my dog over a stranger without a moment's hesitation.

Just like I would save a friend or family member over a stranger.By owning our dogs I have taken the responsibility to care the best for them and they reciprocate that with unconditional love.Stranger loses.

Right. Just like if I had to make a decision between swerving and possibly spilling soda on my car seat or plowing your dog, your dog loses.