more from this thinker | more from this text
Full Idea
The 'no trade-off' position: killing may be justified if it prevents other deaths, but not in defence of the quality of other lives, or by the miserable life of the person killed.
Gist of Idea
The 'no trade-off' position: killing is only justified if it prevents other deaths
Source
Jonathan Glover (Causing Death and Saving Lives [1977], §12.2)
Book Ref
Glover,Jonathan: 'Causing Death and Saving Lives' [Penguin 1982], p.155
A Reaction
As a utilitarian, Glover opposes this, since death is not the only source of unhappiness. Would we (if necessary) kill a terrorist who was burning down all our art galleries or churches? I would, if it was the only way.
| 7907 | Human killing is worse if the victim is virtuous [Buddhaghosa] |
| 6832 | Killing a human, except as just punishment, is like killing all mankind [Mohammed] |
| 6825 | Do not kill except for a just cause [Mohammed] |
| 4649 | If someone's life is 'worth living', that gives one direct reason not to kill him [Glover] |
| 4651 | Utilitarians object to killing directly (pain, and lost happiness), and to side-effects (loss to others, and precedents) [Glover] |
| 4671 | What is wrong with killing someone, if another equally worthwhile life is substituted? [Glover] |
| 4676 | The 'no trade-off' position: killing is only justified if it prevents other deaths [Glover] |
| 4685 | Societies spend a lot to save known persons, but very little to reduce fatal accidents [Glover] |
| 7338 | Man's life is sacred, because it is made in God's image [Johnson,P] |