It has been said that we do not truly live unless there is something we are willing to die for.

[Atticus]

This is a drastic thing to contemplate, but is something I have seen discussed in various opinion pieces.

There is another drastic thing to contemplate that seems to be the other side of the coin: is there anything we are willing to kill for?

If we are we willing to give our own life to, for example, protect our loved ones, why not be willing to take the life of those who would harm them?

I expect that this topic will not be well-received by some, but perhaps some can shine some light into this dark crevasse in our minds.

[marble falls]

1. And that living for something is more important than dying for it ...

[KentuckyWoman]

2. There is nothing I will die for.

There are several things I have spent my life for, and will continue to do so.

I have nothing but respect for people willing to put their lives on the line every single day to rescue people from burning buildings, dig through the rubble, do military battle with our enemies, and oh my goodness the medical people during a pandemic....

I am not one of those sorts. Yes, if something were to happen I hope I'd rise the occasion, but I am not the sort willing to spend a lifetime ready to die for it.

[sanatanadharma]

3. May I never be in a situation presenting "killing" as an acceptable possibility

Most of us never face these facts forthrightly.
We all die.

Killing is a choice.

[Bucky]

11. This is what bothers me about people who push that "trolley car" ethics question

It's silly. It's based on contrived comic book situations that don't occur in the real world.

We, as a planet, can't even master the ethical dilemma of "What if you found out that pollution was triggering a greenhouse effect that will kill millions of people by starvation over the next fifty years? Would you be willing to switch over to sustainable fuel systems?" So why bother me with "What would you be willing to die or kill for?" Let's start with what we're willing to build mass transit systems and build wetlands protections for.

[Atticus]

16. I hope you're able to find the cur who dropped a mouse into your Bosco this morning.

That might make you less anxious to ridicule people you consider "silly" and whose posts in your view feature "contrived comic book situations".

Hope your day improves.

[Bucky]

18. Okay, that was random

I find it helpful to remind myself there's nothing worth getting upset about on the internet.

I recommend the same to you, friend.

[roamer65]

17. Billions are going to die in the 100 years.

Either by massive climate change or wars resulting from the depletion of vital resources.

8 billion is too many, but I expect complete procrastination until it is way too late and the whole world is at the true brink of complete planetary disaster.

[Bayard]

4. Yes, on both points

Been close.

No long sad stories.

[Bucky]

5. I guess some people get off on that extreme life. If you won't kick a puppy for your cause...

...can you really say you're "committed" to it? Let's say you're passionately opposed to animal abuse and if you can end all animal abuse just by kicking this one magic puppy through the hedges. Would you do it... or are you a sick monster who chooses to live in world full of animal suffering?

[Atticus]

6. I seriously have no idea what that has to do with the example in the OP. nt

[Bucky]

7. I was mocking the ridiculousness of the OP

It's just patently absurd to tell someone they haven't lived unless they're down to die for some cause. No one gets to judge what makes someone else's life worthwhile. Passion is nice, but it's not the only way to live.

[Atticus]

8. You did it poorly. nt

[Bucky]

9. Thanks, dad. I promise won't do it again.

[Atticus]

13. Yeah, snark helps your argument. I do have the comfort of being in good conpany:

"A man who does not have something for which he is willing to die is not fit to live.” ― Martin Luther King Jr. 

[GoodRaisin]

10. It's not in me to kill anything. I don't even hunt.

But, protecting my loved ones (or myself) is an extreme example, and if given a situation with no other choice, I would not hesitate to provide that degree of protection.

I can't think of anything else I would be willing to kill for.

[DavidDvorkin]

12. Define "truly live".

[BannonsLiver]

14. I'm dying for a lobster roll right now.

Maybe 2. I can always skip dinner.

[kcr]

15. "I expect that this topic will not be well-received by some"

I'm sure that was the point.