Ethics

So, while ethics is an in-vogue topic that is about as miry as and articulate as a discussion of post-modernity, I have found myself wondering about it lately. It began with a discussion on piracy I was having with a friend. They were not against piracy per se, but more with the justification that some people(i.e. me)use to defend it. I won't defend piracy. I know it's wrong, I know it's stealing. I also laugh at all the ridiculous anti-piracy ads that the self-righteous pricks in LA love to smother us with. The line of thinking with which I have justified what piracy I have committed is this: "Yes I'm stealing, but I'm stealing from thieves, so it's ok."

This thinking didn't even really bother them, as much as that I applied this logic inconsistently. I don't allow for robbery or stealing in other contexts, just this one. I consider myself to be 'moral' and 'ethical' but I make an exception for media piracy. If there is a single exception - can I even be said to hold myself to a moral and ethical standard that does not allow for thievery? Today it may be Meshuggah albums, but down the road it's...marital infidelity? no big deal.

This was again brought up when I got in an accident earlier this week. The other driver was clearly at fault, so I know that I have a check coming from the insurance company. I immediately began to think of ways that I could bilk the insurance company out of money, because, 'hey, they're thieves too. I'll strike back for the common man and profit out of it.' My co-workers encouraged me in this. 'They (insurance) screw everyone, may as well milk it for what it's worth. Get as much as you can. Screw em!'

The more I have thought about it though, the more I'm thinking this is not an acceptable path. Yes, they're thieves. Yes, they steal from people, legally of course. They penalize people for things that are not necessarily their fault. They are the closest things to hell's minions besides RIAA and MPAA lackeys. BUT - just because they do wrong does not mean that I am justified in it too. Yes, they do wrong, but why should I sink to their level to get back at them? It seems that I as a Christian am not held to a comparative level of morality and ethics, but to one defined by perfect Justice, and perfect Truth - the nature of God. Any blemish is a violation of such Justice, no matter how small.

On the other hand. The company is willing to hand out money because that's how they make more. It's just part of the system. It's not perfect, but it's what we've got. So what if I manage to get some more money out of a company legitimately? Not even just legally, but ethically too. They're willing to give it, so why shouldn't I take it?

So, this is what I've been wrestling with lately. I honestly don't have answers. I would like to say that I'm going to take the high ground, and I want to, but given my previous record, I can either do what I've done before, or take the inimitable and painstaking step to turn over a new leaf of re-defining my ethics. Now if you'll excuse me, Limewire is beeping at me.