If you could give your life to change something important, but would never be known for it, would you?
Let's put aside giving life for family or even people known to us already, and make the assumption that it would be given up for complete strangers of some kind, or for a cause where the effects of the decision impact unknowns. And let's take things like "world peace" off the table. In other words, put some thought into it rather than taking some kind of already socially accepted answer.
Whatever you choose, no one will ever know.
You will just drop dead. No cause.
For example, would you give up your life to:
- end the war in Ukraine
- end the war in Israel, Palestine, Iran
- clean the oceans
- stop child labour
- end racism
You know, you get to be pretty broad and expansive, but also, you might want to do something that has quite different goals and outcomes.
- stop government corruption in your country
- end the housing crisis
- improve wealth distribution
- bring back endangered animals
It could be anything, which also makes it kind of hard to think about because there are so many things that could be considered a problem in today's world, that if I were to give my life for it, I would be happy to. Even if no one ever knew.
For instance, one of the things that I have been considering sine I was maybe ten years of age, are the impacts of having clean, free energy. If I had been smarter, perhaps I would have become an engineer or scientist of some kind that would work on a solution. However, I think that if there was clean, free energy, the entire world would change in some extraordinary ways, because creativity wouldn't be bound by energy scarcity - which is a massive point of control by governments and corporations of all kinds, as well as an enormous restriction on industrial design of all kinds.
removing the energy restriction, would see massive changes in everything.
It would gladly give up my life for the opportunity, even if no one ever knew. The problem of course I would have is, I would also like to see the results of it. Would it really make a difference? I would never know the impact.
So, the options below (on Peakd and Ecency - at least) are:
- I would give my life for...
- I would not give my life.
If you would give your life for something, what would it be, and what kind of impact do you think it would have on the world?
Taraz
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Honestly, I’ve asked myself many times, what is life anyway? It’s not even really ours to begin with, since in the end, we all die. No one escapes this place alive. So if death is guaranteed, why not die for a good cause?
I would rather give my life for something meaningful than just die one day with no lasting impact. There are countless heroes and heroines who gave their lives for causes bigger than themselves, and they’re still remembered today. That kind of legacy matters.
If I had to choose, I would rather give my life to end child labour. To know that millions of innocent kids could live, grow, and dream freely, and I believe that’s worth everything, even if no one ever knew I had a part in it.
A good way to look at it in my opinion. Most people try to live as long as possible, but put little thought into why.
I think this is a worthy death. :)
I would give my life for creating up peace in this world. I'm extremely fed up by the violence, the nonsense arguments and fights and abuse happening in the world, either between strangers or between families. People just need one single topic to start the argument and then continuously fight on it for hours. Sometimes it just stays inside the house and sometimes people go on streets and start fighting like idiots.
Violence and the increasing number of fights has really gone up and I think for me or whatever I have seen, getting peace in this world would be the best thing for which I'll happy give my life.
Die for a purpose and not going to be known for it isn't a big deal but seeing a change for the thing you died and the changes in the world is actually one.!
The violence in the media focuses on war and extreme events, but all of it is in the same vein, just at a different level. I reckon a lot of violence is caused by a degradation of society, where people don't even have self-respect, let alone care for anyone else.
I'd like to see many things and people change in this world, but I'm not that selfless to give up my life for it.
There have been martyrs before, and recently something cropped up on my feed somewhere about a monk who burnt himself to death in Laos or Thailand some years ago. Don't think that changed anything. Pretty sure the cold blooded people responsible for the cause he's fighting against don't give a damn.
This would be a guaranteed change though. It would make a difference.
I would give my life for all people on Earth to receive a decent unconditional basic income. So that rich countries and people do not exploit immigrants for a meager salary. Everyone can live well in their own country with their family and earn good money.
Do you think people would move less, or move more?
I don't know, if only everyone had a house and a garden. We also need to tie the unconditional basic income to constant physical activity :)
So you mean, have it conditional? :D
:)
Good afternoon, Taraz!
What an important question. I often ask myself that same question. But if there were something that changed simply because I died, it would be something fanciful. Nothing in this world really changes with the death of a person. It may change, but if there is no will for that change to remain, soon afterwards, life returns to “normal”, and the death of someone who may even be important, ceases to be “news”.
For most "causes" I agree. Nothing really changes. But if it is a ground-level change in society, perhaps it will impact to a point that something will at least disrupt the flow.
I'm thinking, for example, of the example that Martin Luther King Jr. set with his unique speech, which brought about a radical change in American society and beyond. He is still remembered and often quoted today, serving as an example for many young people.
I would cure cancer or maybe end hunger in the whole world. (I know.. beauty padgent answers), but true.
😉😎🤙
Which do you think would make the more positive impact?
hmmmmm, probably the feeding everyone. but it would also severely impact population so idk.
even if I give my life to end a war they always find a reason to start another one ..
So what would you give your life for?
hard to say , maybe to save my wife , daughter or grand daughter
I lack messianic tendencies. People need to step up and make their own lives better bit by bit, and day by day.
Perhaps you lack the ability to think outside of where you are comfortable?
If I were to select a cause deserving of such a sacrifice, I would commit my life to the elimination of systemic poverty. This problem infiltrates every aspect of society and impacts innumerable individuals.
I think a single war would kind of be a waste of time because people always find something to fight over. Yes, it would be noble, but just kind of a waste!
I hope I can have more impact by living. I'd give my life for my daughter, not only to save hers, but to ensure that she will be a happy, decent human being.
I believe that we have to suffer as humans. Life is suffering. We can accept and go on from there, and with the suffering even more deeply enjoy the good moments. We can be happy within the suffering. But taking it away, sacrificing oneself to end whatever kind of suffering for anyone? I don't think it's a good thing. We do not learn from pleasantry.
pity you couldn't create a better comment.
which guess?
Did you read the post. That wasn't an option for the thought experiment.