Morality of theft

Whether stealing is immoral or not depends both on the context of the action and the moral theory used.
I believe in utilitarianism, in which stealing would only be immoral if it leads to bad consequences for the stakeholders.
I would consider shoplifting in a small family store immoral but am fine with stealing from big corporations and retail chains as well as with stealing to feed ones family.

Taking existing laws aside not stealing is just a social contract that mutually benefits adherents.

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4meAndyou · F

Unless the following situations arise, which you might not have considered.

Big corporations will close stores in areas where the shop lifting losses are too intense. The bad consequences which ensue are that local people who might be employed there will lose their jobs. Also, if the store is a grocery store, or a pharmacy, and people who could only get food or medicine by walking to the store no longer have a store to which they can walk.

RebelliousSpirit · F

@4meAndyou Then I'd argue it's already pretty fucked that we live in a system in which losing a job can feel like a death sentence cause there is zero support for the unemployed and people get looked down upon cause of it.

Pharmacies for example should not work for profit and meds prices are insanely high as it is. The economic system that makes theft even necessary in the first place is also to blame for all these situations

4meAndyou · F

@RebelliousSpirit That is not a solution. People need to work to earn money so they can pay their bills and clothe their children. If their are no jobs, people will be evicted for non payment of rent and become homeless.

Stealing has consequences...which I have outlined. Welfare states teach people they don't need to work...and the welfare ship can be capsized if too many people jump on board. There is a limited amount of money in welfare coffers...and it is provided by taxes which are provided by people who work.

Pharmacies which don't work for profit? In what universe are people going to go to work to open the doors and work a full shift for zero pay?

BizSuitStacy · M

@4meAndyou This person is a card carrying communist, hates capitalism who struggles living in a world divided between "the haves" and "the have nots." Claims to despise greed, but is consumed by its sibling, envy.

4meAndyou · F

@BizSuitStacy Gotcha. Likes the idea of bread lines and shortages of everything and 8 adults living in every apartment.

RebelliousSpirit · F

@4meAndyou Housing should be a human right and this argument just doesn't hold up. The welfare state wouldn't even be burdened if taxes would be put to good use and would actually come back to us citizens in form of social services, infrastructure, etc.. but the way it is currently going it's a mess.
I'm all for a social market economy like in Europe. The way capitalism works in the US only favours the rich and turns people into wage slaves competing and fighting amongst each other.

RebelliousSpirit · F

@BizSuitStacy 🖕😘

BizSuitStacy · M

@RebelliousSpirit The truth about you hurts, doesn't it? Why not get a job and actually do something productive for society. Or better yet. Move to Cuba and embrace utopia.