The Ticking Time Bomb

An old ethical problem we see sometimes with law enforcement is the so called ticking time bomb scenario. You receive information about a crazy bomb maker and capture him, but he has already placed his bomb.You find his written notes which show that the bomb is very large and dangerous. It is in a public place (possibly a school or hospital) and his notes indicate that hundreds of people will be killed in less than 10 minutes from now when it explodes.You try to talk to the crazy guy but he just laughs in your face and says he will never tell. It is illegal to take a hammer and smash his toes or pull out his finger nails or any of the other horrible things you might think of that might get him to talk before so many people are killed. You are hired to enforce the law, not to break it. You are also hired to save lives. The clock is ticking, what will you do? Is it ethical?Another example if you have trouble relating to the police officer: A crazy person has taken your little sister and hurt her. he has cut off her finger to show you that he really has her. He has her buried alive and there is not much air so she may die in an hour or maybe less.He is demanding money from you before he will tell where she is buried. It is much more money than you can possibly get. Maybe you could rob the bank down the street, but you might have to kill the guard and if you don't you are still breaking a very serious law. The man keeps laughing in your face telling you that the missing finger is not so bad because she will die very soon when she runs out of air. There is a heavy wooden bat near your hand will you pick it up? Will you pray? Will you just cry for your little sister? Will you break the law? Will you break the bad mans legs?What will you do with so little time to decide?

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Replies

  • I agree Rose. To save a good person from a bad person we may find ourselves doing something we would consider to be bad and violent. We would justify it by saying that it was necessary to do evil to prevent something more evil. Wold we feel bad later for the evil action we took? I have to wonder if the police man who beats a confession out of the criminal feels bad for the beating but good for getting the confession?

    rose said:
    Bob....i dont know what to say
    But before putting the end for the movie which we wrote together Bob...we can imagine the end that my sister will be rescued................. just kidding Bob.
    would you beat the bad guy to make him talk and then feel bad about it after little sister was rescued?
    Beat him????
    feel bad??!!!
    Iam not sure Bob ..but i think that i have to do anything to rescue any person not only if she was my sister.

    Bob said:
    Rose,

    I am glad you found it full of action because I was trying to set up a scene where you could imagine a situation like that. Maybe you and I should write a screen play for the movie and sell it to Hollywood. If it was your little sister and not a movie, would you beat the bad guy to make him talk and then feel bad about it after little sister was rescued?
  • Bob....i dont know what to say
    But before putting the end for the movie which we wrote together Bob...we can imagine the end that my sister will be rescued................. just kidding Bob.
    would you beat the bad guy to make him talk and then feel bad about it after little sister was rescued?
    Beat him????
    feel bad??!!!
    Iam not sure Bob ..but i think that i have to do anything to rescue any person not only if she was my sister.

    Bob said:
    Rose,

    I am glad you found it full of action because I was trying to set up a scene where you could imagine a situation like that. Maybe you and I should write a screen play for the movie and sell it to Hollywood. If it was your little sister and not a movie, would you beat the bad guy to make him talk and then feel bad about it after little sister was rescued?
  • So Expector, I know that you are a doctor and a man of peace. You make people well instead of hurt them. Have you thought if you might break away from your good side for a few minutes and hit this guy across the patella with the bat to save your little sister or maybe a daughter? I am not asking that you say your choice, but it is very interesting to consider extraordinary circumstances and then to consider how well you know yourself. You can never know for sure, but you may surprise yourself under an extreme case.

    Expector Smith said:
    Such things happen. But, no matter how hard it may be, you must make a decision and take action immediately when facing such things. You are not allowed to take your time to think of a most suitable way to deal with the worst situation - keep in mind the clock is ticking and it's going to explode any time now.
  • First example:If I run into this sort of incident,I will report to the police immediately.
    Second example:Maybe I can do something to calm the terrorist.I will pray the terrorist to exchange my little sister for myself.If it doesn't work,I will risk my life to fight the terrorist.
  • Rose,

    I am glad you found it full of action because I was trying to set up a scene where you could imagine a situation like that. Maybe you and I should write a screen play for the movie and sell it to Hollywood. If it was your little sister and not a movie, would you beat the bad guy to make him talk and then feel bad about it after little sister was rescued?
  • Such things happen. But, no matter how hard it may be, you must make a decision and take action immediately when facing such things. You are not allowed to take your time to think of a most suitable way to deal with the worst situation - keep in mind the clock is ticking and it's going to explode any time now.
  • Hi Bob,
    I dont know why i laughed too much when i read it.
    I felt like iam watching an action movie!!!

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