The Morality Quiz

Morality is defined by Dictionary.com as, "conformity to the rules of right conduct; moral or virtuous conduct". Morality is defined by The American Heritage Dictionary as, "A system of ideas of right and wrong conduct". The Mitchievillian Dictionary defines morality as "Something that sounds good in print, but generally most of us won't touch it with a two foot pole". Remind me to fire the Mitchievillian Dictionary writing team.

I'm sure we all consider ourselves moral peoples. We understand what hurts us, most likely hurts other people. Keep that in mind when you read this next question. Or don't keep it in mind. Just try to answer it as honestly as you can:

You're hiding in a basement with a group of other people. Enemy soldiers are approaching outside and will be drawn to any sound. If you're found, you'll all be killed immediately. A baby hiding with you starts to cry loudly and cannot be stopped. Smothering it to death is the only way to silence it, saving the lives of everyone in the room. Assume that the parents of the baby are unknown and not present and there will be no penalty for killing the child. Could you be the one who smothered it if no one else would?

I could not smother the child.

I could smother the child.

As for The Mayor? Let's just say you best be buying a two foot pine box for the youngin'.

How about you?