Antiseptic,

Look up the word "facetious,"
and then re-read my previous post.
You may get it eventually.

Poirot

I'm betting you're a fan of William Golding - that, post-apocalypse, we'd revert to our base reptilian brain. Maybe, maybe not. Depends on who remains and what knowledge is carried with the survivors. I guess I have a more optimistic view of humans than you.

And even reptiles have their affectionate side:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbjO4g4CctE

See, I'm not even giving up on Anti.

:D

I haven't read all the posts on this topic but it would seem to me that the survival instinct kicks in first and then dependent on time and circumstances this is followed by an ethical assessment.

I feel a solo ethical assessment would have very different outcomes as compared to an assessment where peer pressure and expectations were involved.

We are after all social animals and have a need to fit in with our particular group.

Supposed cowardice, selfishness or heroism is assessed by the social mores about us and are often far from the actual fact or definition.

Take it easy.

SD

Dear SD,

We all tend to see the world from a viewpoint
of subjectivity - this is influenced by our
backgrounds, education, training, prior experiences,
and so on. We will interpret things and act according
to one's own values. And this will become particularly
acute when it involves issues of deep human and moral
concern. However, having said that I still would
question whether any one of us can really
predict with guaranteed certainty
what our reactions would be under dire circumstances.
There are no "right" or "wrong" actions. No angels or
devils - only human beings.

Ammonite,

"...I guess I have a more optimistic view of humans than you."

Excellent deployment of your debating style. You needle and then you feign offence when someone replies in kind. (shame, coz we usually agree on the fundamentals)

Okay then...I guess I have a more "realistic" view of humans than you.

Are you positing that people who today live a traditional life of subsistence on the land aren't using their mammalian brain and their neoortex? Of course, you aren't, but why then the comment about a reversion to a reptilian brain if civilisation (as we know it) was to fold?

ok after trying to read [catch up]..on this topic 3 times
and trying to post to it twice..[but bad dodo 'server'.dropped out both times..

i will finally add my thoughts
and as the captain and the upper crust of his crew
sailed off into the iceflows..we all refused to hop on board
with the cowards afraid to die.

we gave up our places
so those who most wanted to 'live'
could live on..in satans realm..

[while we joined in on a delightfull orgy..
of self rightiousnessness][if not fleshy delights]

before proceeding gently..onto the 'blue island'..
where those who 'died'..went to]

http://new-birth.net/booklet/BlueIsland.pdf

why i subscribe to topic
this late in the stage who knows

we live in hope
i guesst