I think there is an important distinction between “kill or die” and “kill or be killed.” The wolf’s life may be at stake, but the rabbit clearly isn’t attacking the wolf. If I need a heart transplant, I would still not be justified in killing someone to obtain the organ.
Mario, you are making a subtler distinction than I was. There is no end to the number of subtle distinctions that can be made.
In warfare we can distinguish between infantrymen who are shooting directly at each other, versus infantry and artillery or airstrikes that dump explosives on them at little risk to themselves.
We can distinguish between soldiers who are fighting for their homes versus soldiers who are fighting beyond their own borders. Clearly it’s immoral to invade other countries, and not immoral to defend your own.
I’m sure we could come up with hundreds of ways to split up the situations that show they are not all the same. But how much difference do these differences really make? “Kill or die” is pretty basic. If somebody’s going to die anyway, and your actions can decide who it will be, do you have any right to choose?
I think there is an important distinction between “kill or die” and “kill or be killed.” The wolf’s life may be at stake, but the rabbit clearly isn’t attacking the wolf. If I need a heart transplant, I would still not be justified in killing someone to obtain the organ.
Mario, you are making a subtler distinction than I was. There is no end to the number of subtle distinctions that can be made.
In warfare we can distinguish between infantrymen who are shooting directly at each other, versus infantry and artillery or airstrikes that dump explosives on them at little risk to themselves.
We can distinguish between soldiers who are fighting for their homes versus soldiers who are fighting beyond their own borders. Clearly it’s immoral to invade other countries, and not immoral to defend your own.
I’m sure we could come up with hundreds of ways to split up the situations that show they are not all the same. But how much difference do these differences really make? “Kill or die” is pretty basic. If somebody’s going to die anyway, and your actions can decide who it will be, do you have any right to choose?