There are many questions about who should have done what and when when they encountered a pre-massacre Cho Seung-Hui. And there will be much discussion sbout that, and quite possibly some lawsuits. But I ask the bigger question. When does one intervene in any situation? How does one respect the right of somone to be left alone to their own devices and even harm themselves but no one else?
This question comes up with alcoholics, depressives who might be suicidal, and others involved in assorted risky behavior, like bungee jumping, motorcycle riding without a helmet, or climbing a snowy mountain just before the big storm.
The fact is that we intervene all the time in a variety of places where we may or may not reasonably do so. I contend, for example, (but not limited to this for this discussion) that a pot smoker should be left alone. However, if said smoker is just living a life of smoke to the exclusion of all other things and if it is someone I care about, I may intervene. I may also try to disuade someone I KNOW is going to kill themselves on a motorcycle from riding one.