Poll: Would you kindly...

[Falconsgyre]

...answer a question about mind control?

Let's imagine I brainwashed someone into being very, very happy and fulfilled with their lives.[footnote]As opposed to being, I dunno, an assassin to kill my greatest political enemy or something like that.[/footnote] As a bonus, I actually made them more focused, better at their jobs, and generally more productive to society and more pleasant to be around. Am I morally justified in doing this? And just to be clear, they definitely didn't consent to this beforehand. (But, of course, I brainwashed them, so they're perfectly okay with it afterwards.)

And as a side note, hopefully Bioshock Infinite will also have an awesome mid-game plot twist. Or at least be less of a disappointment than Bioshock 2.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Perhaps he brainwashed you into brainwashing HIM!

In which case, I guess it's OK.

Otherwise, ehhh, I can't really say with the information you've given me.

 

[Odbarc]

Your Honor, she brainwashed me into thinking she was 18!

 

[Ghengis John]

And suddenly I'm contemplating my choice to reprogram the Geth again.

Hope that turns out okay. I figured "Hey, more geth= more foot soldiers against the reapers."

Your Honor, she brainwashed me into thinking she was 18!

Some brainwashings are easier than others.

 

[Laser Priest]

Seems fine to me.

If he's still capable of making decisions on his own in other aspects of his life, I don't see any problem.

 

[Falconsgyre]

And suddenly I'm contemplating my choice to reprogram the Geth again.

Hope that turns out okay. I figured "Hey, more geth= more foot soldiers against the reapers."

Oh, I totally forgot about that. Maybe a Mass Effect themed thread would have been better.

 

[Ghengis John]

And suddenly I'm contemplating my choice to reprogram the Geth again.

Hope that turns out okay. I figured "Hey, more geth= more foot soldiers against the reapers."

Oh, I totally forgot about that. Maybe a Mass Effect themed thread would have been better.

Nah this is fine in my opinion. Leaves the floor open to those who haven't played it.

 

[pyrokin]

Brainwashing is like changing another person's ideals or views about the world, mythology, or biblical subjects. It's like keeping a person from doing something against their will, it's still evil, whether or not they're aware of it.

 

[khiliani]

brainwashing is never right. it removes the humanity of the person you are brainwashing, so all you are left with is a clone of your own ideals, even if it is supposed to make their life better. also, would you like to have your entire life's memories removed?

for further reading, go read a book called uglies by scott westerfield, it discusses a lot of stuff about the effects of brainwashing.

 

[SammiYin]

Free will is overrated...and doesn't even exist, anyway if you have the power of brainwashing nobody is gonna argue with you, for long. So I voted Of course it is

 

[Kair]

"Absolutely not. You don't have the right to change someone's mind."

This has the issue of disregarding mental illness. Mental institutions are brainwashing complexes. Without them, there would be little chance of the mental patients recovering.

 

[Insideout Ink Demon]

i went for depends
if you could brain wash scum not to be scum, then go for it, you have my backing

 

[Artina89]

brainwashing is never right. it removes the humanity of the person you are brainwashing, so all you are left with is a clone of your own ideals, even if it is supposed to make their life better. also, would you like to have your entire life's memories removed?

for further reading, go read a book called uglies by scott westerfield, it discusses a lot of stuff about the effects of brainwashing.

I agree with this. It is individuality that makes life exciting in my eyes. That, and brianwashing someone has a very high likelihood of being abused. I would much rather be in charge of my own destiny, where my mistakes are my own.

 

[Frybird]

...answer a question about mind control?

Let's imagine I brainwashed someone into being very, very happy and fulfilled with their lives.As a bonus, I actually made them more focused, better at their jobs, and generally more productive to society and more pleasant to be around. Am I morally justified in doing this? And just to be clear, they definitely didn't consent to this beforehand. (But, of course, I brainwashed them, so they're perfectly okay with it afterwards.)

Uhm, so...do i have to sign up or have to fill forms or can i just leave you my adress?

 

[Fleeker]

No one and I repeat no one under any circumstance even the most extreme is better off being brainwashed.

Its essentially a form of slavery and you would be forcing them to do things they wouldn't do and possibly under normal circumstances against there wishes.

There is no case that can be made to me that this would be another other than completely horrific to do to anyone.



Now if you say in a video game you can brainwash people, that would be different and quite useful but it is as horrible and unethical as you can get with any type of real world application.

 

[Falconsgyre]

...answer a question about mind control?

Let's imagine I brainwashed someone into being very, very happy and fulfilled with their lives.As a bonus, I actually made them more focused, better at their jobs, and generally more productive to society and more pleasant to be around. Am I morally justified in doing this? And just to be clear, they definitely didn't consent to this beforehand. (But, of course, I brainwashed them, so they're perfectly okay with it afterwards.)

Uhm, so...do i have to sign up or have to fill forms or can i just leave you my adress?

Well, you just consented, so that puts you out of the running.

 

[blipblop]

Arent we all being brainwashed at some degree everyday to buy stuff and think in a wats moraly correct and wats not

 

[Falconsgyre]

No, it's akin to murder. That man isn't himself any more, you've literally killed him.

All I did was tweak a few little things. He'd still be himself. Mostly.

 

[Madkipz]

...answer a question about mind control?

Let's imagine I brainwashed someone into being very, very happy and fulfilled with their lives.[footnote]As opposed to being, I dunno, an assassin to kill my greatest political enemy or something like that.[/footnote] As a bonus, I actually made them more focused, better at their jobs, and generally more productive to society and more pleasant to be around. Am I morally justified in doing this? And just to be clear, they definitely didn't consent to this beforehand. (But, of course, I brainwashed them, so they're perfectly okay with it afterwards.)

And as a side note, hopefully Bioshock Infinite will also have an awesome mid-game plot twist. Or at least be less of a disappointment than Bioshock 2.

The problem with this line of brainwashing is that then everyone would be very, very happy and lead fulfilling lives.

We would eventually break down mentally and begin killing each others.

why? because human beings define ourselves within the struggle of life itself. If you remove the struggle or make it a happy experience some humans will reject this reality you present them and kill either themselves or others while smiling.

what about newly born children? How early do you begin? Or cant you just LEAVE MY BRAIN ALONE!

 

[Brandon237]

If they allow it, then yes, if they are psychopathic, then personally, yes. Otherwise, no, it is wrong to intrude on someone's free will like that.