Consider the following scenario: A man kills 4 people.


You might be thinking: “Oh no, there is a serial killer on the loose!” or

“Killing is wrong. Our society values the right to life and we cannot take the life of another under any circumstances.”


Consider how your perception of the scenario above changes by adding the following pieces of information:

  1. The 4 people who were killed were mercenary soldiers who had been attempting to take school children hostage to be used as child soldiers and child brides.  

You might be thinking: “What kind of people steal children and treat them violently? The people who were killed were in the wrong.” or “Why did the man feel he had to kill them? Why couldn’t they be arrested and tried in a court?”


  1. The 4 people killed were in a car that was hit by the man. He had been driving impaired.

You might be thinking: “That person made a choice to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. That makes the consequences of his actions worse.” or “Our society has laws against this kind of action. He should be punished.”


  1. The man was a soldier in combat. His country is at war with another country.

You might be thinking: “Though it is unfortunate, this is an aspect of war. The government is paying him to engage in the fighting”  or “Though it is a ‘lawful’ act, it is immoral. If the country were at peace, the man would be considered a serial killer!”