Since we live in a finger pointing Society?

Question

Since we all like to blame others whether it be by influence like when we blamed Marlyn Manson for Columbine. Rather than blame the individuals who actually committed the crime.

Or blame McDonalds for making us fat. As opposed to the person with no self esteem and no self control.

Blaming a gun for the Attempted Reagan Assisination as opposed to the Lunatic holding it.

Keep in mind these are the same people who made so when our kids play a game they all get trophies so no one thinks they are a loser. WHEN THE TEAM THAT LOST ARE LOSERS. Do I sound bitter?

SO the debate here is.

If you told some one to jump off a bridge, and they did it. Does that make you responsible?

Answer 1

I would feel personal accountability, but I'm an empathetic person.  

But the question was, "does that make me responsible?"  Technically, no.  I'm not so sure if the law would see it that way though, but people need to be held accountable for their own actions.  I'd most likely be responsible for presenting the idea or being of some influential factor.  Especially if this person was depressed or had some mental illness or even just a young, impressionable child!  It's not right to take advantage of that.  

On the other hand, it's common knowledge that jumping off of a bridge is fatal (assuming I'm telling a full-grown healthy adult to jump).  The person who jumped should be held most responsible considering I didn't push him.

Answer 2

You present some good questions!

Personally, I think the individual is responsible for his/her actions but...

I do know that the portions are getting bigger and bigger at McDonald's.  Songs, TV, and movies are getting more and more violent.  Guns are rampant among those who commit crimes.  You can download child pornography from free websites.

I would say that the opportunities are greater for those who are predisposed to do wrong, whether it is to overeat or to molest children.  I think that the 'providers' share some of the blame.

As far as the 'jumping off the bridge' analogy...it would sure depend on how much the person depends on my advice.  I could surely be responsible for the jump if the jumper looks to me for advice on what he/she should do.

Answer 3

No, because it's their stupid *** that actually did it.

Answer 4

I would have to assume that if someone were in the state of mind to actually fling them selfs off the side of a bridge they would probably already have it in the heads that it was something they were going to do. However if you new they were unhappy and could easily be persuaded in there frail condition to jump of the bridge in a desperate act of self loathing. I would call you a murderer and not even blink an eye. Because you would have ultimately coaches them into makeing that fatal decision.

Answer 5

uh....you already answered your question.  We are responsible for ourselves.  So NO!!!!!

Answer 6

The person who jumped off the bridge is responsible. You brought up the idea. But it is they who acted on it. The person should not jump off the bridge unless they are suicidal. Are you responsible because they are suicidal? No. You did not contribute to that persons life to make their life misserable for them. You would be responsible ONLY if you made their life misserable so they commit suicide because of your misstreatment to them.

Answer 7

It's about everyone refusing or being unable to take responsibility for their own actions.

Answer 8

Humans, regardless of how stupid they are, have their stupidity made up of many little things, called free will, consequence, and choice.

How many humans are aware of them or use them on a daily basis is another story all together.

For someone to jump off a bridge, simply because they were told to- the blame could not be passed to anyone but the jumper, because with their ability to think of consequence, etc- whether they failed to use it or not, places them at blame.

Unless you really pushed them, Joel...

Did you push them? :P I wont tell anyone.. hehe..

Or.. did you hypnotize them? Hmm..

And I'l bet that your responsible for the evil monkey thats in my closet

O.o

o.O

Answer 9

Yes.  We are all responsible for everything we do.  We are individuals with minds that enable us to think. The decisions we make and the actions that we take we clearly make on our own.  If we CHOOSE to let others influence those decisions it is once again is OUR own choice.  I agree with you, it wasn't Marilyn Manson or Ronald McDonald or the NRA, it is the person who cannot control their own mind.  

Some people today have become so pathetic that they refuse to take ANY personal responsibility for anything they do.  That is one reason that there are so many children raising children and our schools are out of control.  It starts at home because no one wants to take personal responsibility.

Each and everyone of us is responsible for each and every move and decision we make.  We make a good decision we get rewarded, we make a bad decision we pay for it.  That is called LIFE.

Peace & Love :)