I Like Philosophy

Ethics must be applied universally or not at all. You cannot be said to be ethical if you pick and choose where you apply said ethics. If you believe that the initiation of force against another is wrong, and yet you have no qualms about robbing your neighbor, you cannot claim to be ethical.

However...

For ethics to have any merit, they must be shared.

If you behave ethically towards a person, but they respond with unethical behavior (they assault or rob you, for example), you are under no obligation to continue to behave ethically towards them. For example, it would be perfectly fine to take your property back from them without their consent.

Discuss