Philosophical Quandry: Piracy

[geoschmo]

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:

quote:

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Quite the opposite, it seems to me he was saying that each culture has different definitions of morality.

Precisely.

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You guys are talking about different cultures, not morality. It's all well and good to have a deep philisophical discusion about various cultures and their own particular way's of doing things. But certain things are basic. They fall under the right and wrong that defines a sense of absolute morality. Find me a culture in today's enlightened world that believes it's acceptable to steal or murder? Even soceities where it happens all the time it's acknowledged that it's wrong.

Fyron asked the question:

Yes, it is beyond a shadow of a doubt illegal piracy. I am not asking about legality, but about morality. Is it wrong to do this? Why or why not?

If he didn't want an answer, or now he says it's impossible to answer since there is no single definition of morality, why ask the question to begin with? Is it simpy to provoke a semantic discussion about the definition of morality?

If that is what you want Fyron why not be honest and say what you mean? But you asked if it's morally right to copy software without permission and give it away. The answer I give you is that no it is not. If you don't like that answer then do what you want with it.

I have a strong sense of what is right and wrong. For me morality is an absolute issue by definition. Stealing is one of the things my sense of morality says is wrong. Call me archaic, call me whatever you want but I believe what I believe. I can acknoledge that some people don't agree with me and even be civil towards them, but I am not going to accept that stealing is ok just because their "definition" of morality doesn't have a problem with it.

I am all for respecting other cultures. If someones culture says don't eat the meat of animals with split hooves, or they have to build their houses with the door facing west, or they can't wear green on tuesday I have no problem with that. As long as they don't get in my face about doing it I won't object to what they do either. But if someones culture says it's ok to steal or murder then I will unapoogetically say their culture is immoral.

Geoschmo

[ July 11, 2003, 21:28: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

[PvK]

Theft and murder are not universal absolutes. Taking something and killing someone are. Different laws, different lawyers, different judges, different cultures, and different people, may have different opinions about whether any specific act of taking or killing is theft or murder.

Examples:

Some people consider many actions of the US government to be theft (tax, seizures, etc).

Warring nations often call each others' soldiers murderers.

In India, killing unwanted daughters isn't defined as murder.

Different people, laws, judges, etc in the US disagree about whether acts of euthanasia or abortion are murder or not, or wrong on not.

Discussions of software piracy and fair use of media.

Etc.

PvK

[Stone Mill]

There are a lot of shades of gray out there, yes with stealing and even causing another person's death. That is why laws are interpreted by people. And legal decisions from two officials may be different depending on their views and mood and the facts of the situation and the person in question.

I think it is wise and healthy to have a strong sense of morality and right and wrong, but it is good to relax, too.

A person holding themselves to a standard of obeying all rules at all times would have quite an absurd challenging life.

[edit] Pvk- right on, dude. [/edit]

[ July 11, 2003, 21:42: Message edited by: Stone Mill ]

[Fyron]

You guys are talking about different cultures, not morality.

Different cultures have different morality.

If he didn't want an answer, or now he says it's impossible to answer since there is no single definition of morality, why ask the question to begin with? Is it simpy to provoke a semantic discussion about the definition of morality?

I never said it was impossible to answer. My question had nothing to do with other cultures, but with the culture in which we live (broad US culture). You seem to be reading things that have not been typed. Again, are you having a bad day today or what?

[ July 11, 2003, 21:46: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[geoschmo]

We're butting heads, so this will be the Last thing I say. Theft and murder are universal absolutes. The fact that some people and some cultures choose to ignore or redefine the terms to ease their concseince merely means those people and cultures are immoral.

Geoschmo

[Fyron]

So now you are being an elitist. My culture is better than yours, huh? Why is that? Where do you get the right to judge other cultures? Why is your view so much better?

[ July 11, 2003, 21:48: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[Phoenix-D]

So Geo. If morals are absolute, your opinion then is most just don't know what moral is?

I'm thinking of all the fun cultures that think women or "not us" races having equal rights is immoral here, for example..