Ethics Problem #1

[marieldraconis]

Here we go...this is a series of ethical dilemmas posed in a class I'm taking. I want to invite participation of any sort, on any level, because I think this sort of discussion could be fun. That means that anyone who sees this can comment, tell their friends to comment, tell their worst enemies to comment, whatever. The only problem is that people will see your reaction--but if you mind, you can just discuss it in school, with your friends, etc.
Problem #1 has multiple parts. I'll post the first part, let you discuss it, then in a while post my reaction/decision and the second part. So, here we go:

You've known Johnny since pre-school, and hated him just as long. He stole your favorite truck in pre-K, your top prize at the middle school science fair, and in high school, stole your girlfriend--and married her. [feel free to change details and/or genders as appropriate for the situation] You really hate him, and might even think the world would be better off without him in it.
You also have a friend from high school named Larry. No matter how much you hate Johnny, Larry hates him worse. One day, Larry gets his hands on a gun. You walk into a room/deserted alley/forest clearing...and Larry is pointing the gun at Johnny. You may hate Johnny, but you personally don't want to kill him--however, there is the risk that Larry will turn on you if you try to stop him. What do you do?

Comments

[sablemoonsilk.livejournal.com]

I would turn around and walk back the way I came.

The enmity between Larry and Johnny is not my problem, and if I hadn't come along Larry would have continued to do the same thing. Will probably continue to seek chances to kill Johnny even if I did stop him here and now. I am not oathbound to save every single life in the world, no matter what they mean to me either positively or negatively; I would save people's lives only if I was sure I myself wanted to and not pressure from society to do the bland "right thing".

If the law enforcement catches up to Larry and he has to live with the consequences of his actions, good for them. If he never gets caught and has to live with the emotional consequences of his actions, knowing inside something that's hidden from all the rest of society, good for him; he may learn something from it.

Then again, I'm not a nice normal ethical person.