To strike first or not?

[The Emerald Legion]

So, as a break from the endless pop politics around here. I figured it might be interesting to propose a simple moral scenario.



Suppose you are threatened by an outside force. Perhaps they're a stranger rooting around in your home. Perhaps it's someone following you as you walk the street at night. Whatever the reason, you are afraid for your safety.

Do you strike first? Gaining the upper hand in whatever violence is to come?

Or do you try to talk to the person and confirm their intentions are hostile beforehand, risking giving them the opening they need to hurt you?

Personally, when I'm legitimately afraid, violence comes far too easy, so i try to talk things out, but my response to jump scares has generally involved flailing wildly at whatever caused them. Fortunately, I'm out of shape as heck so mostly this is just disorienting rather than actually injury inducing.

[Conserative Morality]

Confirm first.

Well, actually, I'd probably hide or run. I don't want to risk my life ending over some druggie in an alley upset that my wallet's empty. But absent that option, make sure I know their intentions before striking. Honestly, though, optimal scenario would be to confirm while armed and in a good position.

[Victoria and Vacuna]

Look back, then make a shitload of noise and get to my car. If they're after me they won't survive being smashed under my Civic.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

I guess it all hinges upon the type of situation and in how much danger you are or feel you and your family is in. If I had to strike first, I would. If not, I'll leave it to the authorities.

[The Serbian Empire]

Don't strike unless attacked when it comes to threats. Or don't strike until I feel cornered.

[FelrikTheDeleted]

Within the scenario I'd talk first, attack second. I only fight in self defence. Should the option to flee be open, then flee I shall.

[Jello Biafra]

Confirm first - violence is ideally something to be avoided.

[Longweather]

Wait for them to strike first, defend myself to the point that they cannot fight, then call the cops. Had this happen to me before. Fun times.

[Internationalist Bastard]

Non lethal force, followed by threats, and finally knifing

[Minzerland II]

There is no telling what we, as humans, would do in a situation we believe to be endangering to our life, or the lives of our loved-ones: in effect, individual people will behave erratically when put under pressure, they're likely to take drastic action in a panic, thereby making it difficult to act rationally, instead acting irrationally.

However, if we were to disregard irrationality for just a moment, and instead propose a hypothetical situation in which I'd imagine myself handling the situation, this is how I imagine it being played-out: I'd obviously hear any trespassing or breaking-an-entering in this hypothetical situation, ergo, I'd take an advantageous position in my home and observe the intruder till I can determine their intentions; I'd then talk, persuade, convince or question the intruder whilst my weapon would be trained on the aforementioned intruder; and if they turn to violence in response or commence hostilities beforehand, I will defend myself accordingly, which would be entirely justified as self-defence.

This is wishful thinking though, this is merely an ideal situation produced by yours truly; nothing is ever as simple as I've proposed.

[Genivaria]

As someone who's had a shy female admirer following them around school I'd definitely confirm their intentions first.

[Pope Joan]

How did that work out for Japan?

[Katganistan]

Sorry, you wake me up in my place and you're likely to get a sword to the face. And some guys trying to rob my brother in front of our house years ago had to contend with the crazy chick hanging out the second story window with a bow at full draw who immediately targeted the smartass who said I couldn't shoot all of them with, "Thanks for volunteering."

[Genivaria]

Sorry, you wake me up in my place and you're likely to get a sword to the face. And some guys trying to rob my brother in front of our house years ago had to contend with the crazy chick hanging out the second story window with a bow at full draw who immediately targeted the smartass who said I couldn't shoot all of them with, "Thanks for volunteering."

I will now forever mentally picture you as Katniss.

[Bakery Hill]

Strike first.

[Emperyo]

The most logical thing to do, as a guy who is out of shape, is to pee on them to show dominance find the least dark place. In that case, whatever he/she/apache may do to you, will happen in broad daylight, and that is a big-turnoff for a criminal.

Unless, of course, you're indeed a muscular, fit person, in that case, run faster than your target speed on the treadmill.

But let's say its breaking in into your house. Strike first, smack them right on the head, just to stun them, but not cause major injury. Then, of course, throw him/her/apache out of the house.

[Alvecia]

Confirm first, that way either violence is avoided, or I get a chance to size up my opponent.

[The Blaatschapen]

Sorry, you wake me up in my place and you're likely to get a sword to the face. And some guys trying to rob my brother in front of our house years ago had to contend with the crazy chick hanging out the second story window with a bow at full draw who immediately targeted the smartass who said I couldn't shoot all of them with, "Thanks for volunteering."

Bow chicka

Ow!

Ow!

That hurts

Anyway, it depends on the situation, stranger at night will be a flee(or confront in a relatively well-lit public space) situation, stranger in my house is definitely a strike first situation.

[Ethel mermania]

Stranger rooting around the hone, I will probably strike first, On the street probably talk.

[Washington Resistance Army]

If there's actually a stranger in my home absolutely strike first, preferably with an SMG.

If I'm out walking around they'd have to attack me first.

[Frenline Delpha]

Sorry, you wake me up in my place and you're likely to get a sword to the face. And some guys trying to rob my brother in front of our house years ago had to contend with the crazy chick hanging out the second story window with a bow at full draw who immediately targeted the smartass who said I couldn't shoot all of them with, "Thanks for volunteering."

So, when do you plan on entering the hunger games, Kat?

[The East Marches]

If I can safely remove myself from the area and call for help, that is the best option. If that is not an option then it is time to determine whether they are a real threat or just a percieved one. Then I will take action from there. I dislike rolling the iron dice whenever possible.

[Divitaen]

Well that's great, encouraging people to inflict violence on someone who may genuinely be of no threat to you is clearly a great idea. After all, that's clearly not how many, many people in America constantly get kiled for no good reason, like Renisha McBride. Generally, killing or wounding people without any proof they intend to hurt you is a pretty shitty thing to do.

[The East Marches]

Well that's great, encouraging people to inflict violence on someone who may genuinely be of no threat to you is clearly a great idea. After all, that's clearly not how many, many people in America constantly get kiled for no good reason, like Renisha McBride. Generally, killing or wounding people without any proof they intend to hurt you is a pretty shitty thing to do.

If somebody has broken into your home, it's a good sign that they aren't there for law abiding reasons. I can understand the view if some people decide better safe than sorry.

[Divitaen]

Well that's great, encouraging people to inflict violence on someone who may genuinely be of no threat to you is clearly a great idea. After all, that's clearly not how many, many people in America constantly get kiled for no good reason, like Renisha McBride. Generally, killing or wounding people without any proof they intend to hurt you is a pretty shitty thing to do.

If somebody has broken into your home, it's a good sign that they aren't there for law abiding reasons. I can understand the view if some people decide better safe than sorry.

Well, sure, but even then that guy just probably wants to commit burglary at best. I mean, you can protect your property sure, but you aren't gonna convince me physically wounding someone or potentially killing them is worth protecting an object.