Posted by special_k on March 21, 2006, at 21:26:31
In reply to Moral dilemma, posted by LegWarmers on March 21, 2006, at 20:46:27
> What do you think Heinz should have done?
I think it is morally acceptable for him to have broken into the store to steal the drug. I don't know that he *should* have done it (I don't know that he would be acting wrongly for not having done so...) But I think it is morally acceptable for him to have done so. Just like... I think it is morally acceptable for people to steal food if they are starving...
> And why?
Because although we have a duty to not take what does not belong to us...
We also have a duty to look after people who are dependent on us. I'm thinking his wife was too sick to steal it herself...
In this case I think it is better to steal (which is typically wrong) than it is to do nothing which results in the death of his wife.
He attempted to obtain the drug legally... He exhausted his available options (yes I am assuming that)... And the harm to the shopkeeper is less than the harm to his wife. And so... His action was justified.> Do you think Heinz should be punished?
I think he is guilty of theft, yup. But punishment... Hrm. Maybe community service? I think that when we break the law then we need to accept that we have broken the law and there are consequences for having done so. If I break a law (tresspass for instance) in order to protest logging (and I have exhausted my available alternatives before tying myself to a tree) then... I am morally justified. But I still have to face the legal consequence of being proclaimed guilty of breaking the law. And getting a fine or something.
Some countries have laws that are a little too harsh (IMO). Like... Cutting someones hand off if they steal. In some cases people steal to survive. I think it is a little harsh (okay more than a little) to cut off their hand...
It is a hard one :-)
Intellectual copyright.
Compare your answer with what you think about drug companies keeping HIV treatment under intellectual copyright which has the consequence that many people in third world countries don't get treatment...
poster:special_k
thread:623115
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20060318/msgs/623138.html