ethical thought experiment

[HURLS]

Wow. Have we as a society degraded this much?

No, it's always been that way, some just refuse to be honest about it. Ripping off the Indians and French was mighty honest.

[35Pete]

I've thought about it all and thought about how you seemed to completely forget the original conversation we had about this topic yesterday in favor of stroking your **** a little more with this post, you big, dumb shit.

:tsk:

Well if you want to admit that you'd steal what is not yours then that's your issue not mine. Rationalize away. You are not going to convince me.

Taking this right to the gutter tells me that my comments really bother you. Might I ask why?

[HURLS]

He took the phrase "robbing" literally, meaning you would be stealing a million dollars from African children.

But nobody points out the absurdity of using "African Children" if they have a million dollars or the fact that the more interesting moral question is if the money wasn't theirs to being with.

He (and shiva, as he included), want to make themselves feel better and this is a freaking tee-ball level question. Congratulations. Smile for the day, you're a good person or something.

For only 23 cents a day, you too can be a great person. Ask that old man from Trapper John MD.

[35Pete]

No, it's always been that way, some just refuse to be honest about it. Ripping off the Indians and French was mighty honest.

We screwed the Indians in a HUGE way. Is this justification by precedent? That makes it OK? Because others do it?

We didn't screw the French with the La Purchase. They agreed to a deal. No one put a gun to their heads.

[HURLS]

:tsk:

Well if you want to admit that you'd steal what is not yours then that's your issue not mine. Rationalize away. You are not going to convince me.

Taking this right to the gutter tells me that my comments really bother you. Might I ask why?

Steal? I thought you said "found". Big difference.

[35Pete]

If you thought the rules were for suckers, you would parrot; say; the "right" answer...make yourself a liar as well as a thief, because saying you are a thief and that it is OK only serves to help disintegrate the fabric of society. Only an utter fool would help destroy where they live.

So if you were going to take the money and were smart, you would see the value of saying, "don't take the money", even if you planned on taking the money if this event actually unfolded.

So then. Those here that say that they wouldn't take the money really would? Its that what you are stating?

[35Pete]

Steal? I thought you said "found". Big difference.

No. If you can locate the rightful owner, and you keep it anyways, then it is theft.

Funny. Any Court of Law will agree with me. Why's that?

[HURLS]

We didn't screw the French with the La Purchase. They agreed to a deal. No one put a gun to their heads.

LMAO!! So let me get you pinned correctly. It was okay to screw the French because they agreed, but wrong to keep money that you found on the street? You have some f'd up morals dude.

[Matt]

:tsk:

Well if you want to admit that you'd steal what is not yours then that's your issue not mine. Rationalize away. You are not going to convince me.

Taking this right to the gutter tells me that my comments really bother you. Might I ask why?

I already explain my opinion to you depending on the meaning of the question. If you're ignoring it now or pandering to whoever else is reading this thread to make yourself look good: Whatever, but you know my position and you went so far as not pass judgment on it because of it. Stealing and taking are different things, and taking something that wasn't mine to begin with isn't a moral crime to begin with depending on the circumstances. You're trying to make it sound that way though. Stealing is a different story and I would not steal.

Your comments bother me because I am bothered when such shallow individuals try to make their beliefs out to be admirable. You're an emotional and ideological criminal. You're using one of the most influential tools of our time (the internet) to amplify those crimes. Same for shiva. You'd think you'd at least be honest about it, but we're not even that lucky. aqua makes outstanding points, constantly -- aqua is a consistently good poster on this forum and does it all without the benefit of enhancing his own image or belittle others. There are a handful of people who do that in the PR & S and you and I are not among them. But your belief that you are is stupid.

[HURLS]

No. If you can locate the rightful owner, and you keep it anyways, then it is theft.

Funny. Any Court of Law will agree with me. Why's that?

Bullshit. Unless the guy makes a claim for the lost money, it is yours to keep. Ala The Brady Bunch, circa long time ago.

[35Pete]

LMAO!! So let me get you pinned correctly. It was okay to screw the French because they agreed, but wrong to keep money that you found on the street? You have some f'd up morals dude.

Hurls. Quit trying to justify bad behavior. Perhaps the purchase was the value of the land per the perception of the French.

Back on subject.

Someone drops money. You know that it belongs to them. Yet you keep it anyways. Why?

[Green Lantern]

So then. Those here that say that they wouldn't take the money really would? Its that what you are stating?

Not all, I'm sure.

I suggested that IF you were to take the money, you would be smart not to go around admitting such things as they serve no purpose but to degrade public confidence in society.

So, people who would not take the money AND smart people who would take the money, would click "no".

[HURLS]

The problem is JKiG stated it as "robbing" the children of Africa. If he means robbing as in money that was dropped that was headed for Africa, ok, obviously I would return it. But if he means finding lost money that "could" be used to feed African kids, **** 'em. Like someone said, it should go to starving and homeless Americans first. Me second.

[HURLS]

Hurls. Quit trying to justify bad behavior. Perhaps the purchase was the value of the land per the perception of the French.

Back on subject.

Someone drops money. You know that it belongs to them. Yet you keep it anyways. Why?

Why? 'Cuz if you drop money, you obviously do not value it. I value money, and NEVER lose my wallet or drop money. So screw them for being careless.

[Green Lantern]

I already explain my opinion to you depending on the meaning of the question. If you're ignoring it now or pandering to whoever else is reading this thread to make yourself look good: Whatever, but you know my position and you went so far as not pass judgment on it because of it. Stealing and taking are different things, and taking something that wasn't mine to begin with isn't a moral crime to begin with depending on the circumstances. You're trying to make it sound that way though. Stealing is a different story and I would not steal.

Your comments bother me because I am bothered when such shallow individuals try to make their beliefs out to be admirable. You're an emotional and ideological criminal. You're using one of the most influential tools of our time (the internet) to amplify those crimes. Same for shiva. You'd think you'd at least be honest about it, but we're not even that lucky. aqua makes outstanding points, constantly -- aqua is a consistently good poster on this forum and does it all without the benefit of enhancing his own image or belittle others. There are a handful of people who do that in the PR & S and you and I are not among them. But your belief that you are is stupid.

You have to understand, old people are only full of piss and vinegar in the morning. By afternoon, Pete will agree with you again.

Wait 'til you're 40-something.

[35Pete]

I already explain my opinion to you depending on the meaning of the question. If you're ignoring it now or pandering to whoever else is reading this thread to make yourself look good: Whatever, but you know my position and you went so far as not pass judgment on it because of it. Stealing and taking are different things, and taking something that wasn't mine to begin with isn't a moral crime to begin with depending on the circumstances. You're trying to make it sound that way though. Stealing is a different story and I would not steal.

Your comments bother me because I am bothered when such shallow individuals try to make their beliefs out to be admirable. You're an emotional and ideological criminal. You're using one of the most influential tools of our time (the internet) to amplify those crimes. Same for shiva. You'd think you'd at least be honest about it, but we're not even that lucky. aqua makes outstanding points, constantly -- aqua is a consistently good poster on this forum and does it all without the benefit of enhancing his own image or belittle others. There are a handful of people who do that in the PR & S and you and I are not among them. But your belief that you are is stupid.

Hmm. Strawman being set up here.

Here is the crux of the REAL argument.

Stealing is wrong.

Here is what you are trying to steer this into.

Anyone that argues that stealing is wrong is trying to inflate themselves.

By turning this from a universally accepted (why is it universal?) standard that stealing that money is wrong to the motivations of a disagreeing poster is wrong. It's a strawman attempt, an attempt to change the crux of the argument, and deflect from looking bad.

IDK what has happened here. But for my generation you never got points for doing the right thing. IT WAS EXPECTED OF YOU. So you did not prove yourself a "good person" by making a moral decision here and there. You can't inflate your ego for doing the right thing.

"Hey guys. He really pissed me off but I held back and I didn't kill him".

"Wow, you are a great person!"

That's not ego inflation. Not killing him was EXPECTED. Killing him would have made you scum.

So get off the shifting argument shit. The fact that you are taking this to the gutter means that I am really touching a nerve here. Both you and Hurls. Tells me perhaps that you'd keep the $100 too?

[35Pete]

Not all, I'm sure.

I suggested that IF you were to take the money, you would be smart not to go around admitting such things as they serve no purpose but to degrade public confidence in society.

So, people who would not take the money AND smart people who would take the money, would click "no".

I am sure that some would indeed.

[Matt]

Hmm. Strawman being set up here.

Here is the crux of the REAL argument.

Stealing is wrong.

Here is what you are trying to steer this into.

Anyone that argues that stealing is wrong is trying to inflate themselves.

By turning this from a universally accepted (why is it universal?) standard that stealing that money is wrong to the motivations of a disagreeing poster is wrong. It's a strawman attempt, an attempt to change the crux of the argument, and deflect from looking bad.

IDK what has happened here. But for my generation you never got points for doing the right thing. IT WAS EXPECTED OF YOU. So you did not prove yourself a "good person" by making a moral decision here and there. You can't inflate your ego for doing the right thing.

"Hey guys. He really pissed me off but I held back and I didn't kill him".

"Wow, you are a great person!"

That's not ego inflation. Not killing him was EXPECTED. Killing him would have made you scum.

So get off the shifting argument shit. The fact that you are taking this to the gutter means that I am really touching a nerve here. Both you and Hurls. Tells me perhaps that you'd keep the $100 too?

You're wrong, that's not what I'm trying to turn it into.

I expect no less then that assumption from you, though.

[35Pete]

You're wrong, that's not what I'm trying to turn it into.

I expect no less then that assumption from you, though.

Assumption? Bullshit and you know it. You went right to the gutter by questioning my motives.

You mention Shiva too. Shiva and I don't always get along but I didn't disbelieve his statement for one second. It seems natural given the time that our values were molded.

I knew the most recent generations were in the moral shitter but I didn't realize that it was this bad. Not all is lost. Mouldsie indicated that he wouldn't keep the money either.

More proof of the ME generation.

Now here's why you are being dishonest. This post directly contradicts your statement.

I already explain my opinion to you depending on the meaning of the question. If you're ignoring it now or pandering to whoever else is reading this thread to make yourself look good: Whatever, but you know my position and you went so far as not pass judgment on it because of it. Stealing and taking are different things, and taking something that wasn't mine to begin with isn't a moral crime to begin with depending on the circumstances. You're trying to make it sound that way though. Stealing is a different story and I would not steal.

Your comments bother me because I am bothered when such shallow individuals try to make their beliefs out to be admirable. You're an emotional and ideological criminal. You're using one of the most influential tools of our time (the internet) to amplify those crimes. Same for shiva. You'd think you'd at least be honest about it, but we're not even that lucky. aqua makes outstanding points, constantly -- aqua is a consistently good poster on this forum and does it all without the benefit of enhancing his own image or belittle others. There are a handful of people who do that in the PR & S and you and I are not among them. But your belief that you are is stupid.

[Matt]

Assumption? Bullshit and you know it. You went right to the gutter by questioning my motives.

You mention Shiva too. Shiva and I don't always get along but I didn't disbelieve his statement for one second. It seems natural given the time that our values were molded.

I knew the most recent generations were in the moral shitter but I didn't realize that it was this bad. Not all is lost. Mouldsie indicated that he wouldn't keep the money either.

More proof of the ME generation.

Now here's why you are being dishonest. This post directly contradicts your statement.

The fact that I question your motives doesn't mean I question everyone's motives who'd vote no to this question.

There's that ego again. You're the one that brought up shiva. I just talked about internet superheroes. I guess that was your assumption. Whoopsy.

:smileymob:

[Matt]

"Anyone that argues that stealing is wrong is trying to inflate themselves. "
-Pete35

Apparently "anyone" is Pete, and only Pete.

Oh the hilarity.

[35Pete]

You are looking pretty stupid here. You talk about taking the money soley for you own benefit. I call you on it. So you question MY character.

Talk about turning shit on it's head.

[Matt]

Sigh

[HURLS]

Saying you wouldn't keep the money is 1) as he said, trying to make you seem so wonderful, on a stupid internet Board mind you, or 2) as I said, total bullshit. Keep spouting Pete, even the rich BillsMan would keep a C Note he found after a dude dropped it at the Bar. The thousands he rakes in from people here isn't Stealing? He ain't working for it, that's for sure.

[35Pete]

"Anyone that argues that stealing is wrong is trying to inflate themselves. "
-Pete35

Apparently "anyone" is Pete, and only Pete.

Oh the hilarity.

Now you are acting like a little jerk.

You can't take something completely out of context that was posted in the last page. It's too easy to go check and then makes you look even more stupid.