this post was submitted on 19 Apr 2024
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I've been discussing with my sister (a big fan of her cats) about what lives we would save in an emergency. I think a human live is worth more than an animal's no question asked but she thinks otherwhise. So to end this discussion I'm writing here.

  1. Who would you save between your cat and your worst enemy?
  2. What if it was between your cat and a stranger?
  3. Why?
(page 2) 31 comments
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[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago
  1. My cat
  2. Tough one, but probably my cat.
  3. Not only do I love my cats, taking care of your pets if your responsibility as a pet owner. I have no love or relationship to a stranger, they don't care about me and I don't care about them, and It's also not my responsibility to protect other people. An animal that I raised from near-birth, and who has always shown me basically unconditional love and affection seriously means as much to me as a child. My pets are there for me when I have a bad day, and they're with me when I'm having a great day too. They bring so much joy and comfort into my life and they are so innocent and kind. Even after a lifetime of interactions I never have a single bad or negative moment with my pets. I don't hate people and I wouldn't like to have to decide in a fucked up scenario like you're describing here. But to be honest, I'm probably saving my pet. Sorry.
[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

I'd save a stranger, but between a cat and my enemies I can't say I'd be inclined to go out of my way for either.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

I'd pick any random manatee over a human.
Why? Manatees seem nicer than humans, as far as I can tell.

I don't know that much about manatees though, given a sniff of power maybe they'd turn into arseholes too; but I think I'd rather someone else had a turn than yet more humans.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

The closest thing I have to a worst enemy is the mother of my children, but my kids also really love my cat so I don't know how I'd answer.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

I'm more of a dog person.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

There’s only one person I’d pick over my cat, so, sorry guys.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

Cats have 9 lives, so saving them just save one of their lives. But there are people in this word who’s death means happiness of millions and saved live of thousands. Why would I want to save such person?

Saving cat is just a bonus. And I would still do that.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

Team Sister here, 100% saving the cat over my worst enemy.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

I agree that a human life is generally worth more than an animal’s, but that doesn’t mean I would sacrifice my cat.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Neither because I don't have a cat, and a stranger first, because they are human too. Saving both is the goal, but first I'd save the stranger, then the cat, and depending on how bad they are, the worst enemy. If that enemy did only a bit of bullying, save. If that enemy is likely to not do anything good back, and has caused suffering, no saving.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

People have gotten weird about animals over the years. I adore my cat, don't get me wrong, and would do everything in my power to save them, but like, it is still an animal at the end of the day.

In scenario one I can see saying cat if you actually wanted your worst enemy to die. Like, if you were fine with killing them without the cat in the balance, then yeah, of course.

But otherwise it's the person, right? Animals have lower moral value than people, right? I mean, I'd be curious what percentage of people saying that they'd save their cat are vegetarian/vegan?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Yeah, you're right. I find it strange that people here literally would prefer to save a cat over a human. Would they really let their friend burn over a cat? A stranger who likely has done nothing except work and be generally kind to others? I think that they who let the stranger burn, then have worse morality.

The question is bad because it features an animal the person is assumed to have a band with, and a stranger. I think a better example would be:

Who would you save in these scenarios:

  1. a bad (eg aggressive) cat, or your worst enemy,
  2. a cat, or a stranger,
  3. your cat, or your best friend
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