Why is it wrong to take advantage of other people?

[Nik709]

It doesn't have to be, but you should feel bad if you don't. I can't name a reason without using Religion, and you're obviously not Catholic, so you won't listen to my example.

Then please read the opening post.

 

[Xanikk999]

I beileve lying is Ok as long as it does not benefit you unless it would hurt you or if the lie doesnt hurt or disadvantage anyone.

So basically i would lie to get out of trouble if the people would not find out later.

 

[Ecclesiastes]

Now think of it from the pizza guy's perspective.

There are people who will always give the same good tips no matter the time of delivery, simply because they are that way. After a while he will realise that and then decide to go to those who only tip well for fast delivery first and only after that to the one always giving good tips. He would then take advantage of their general generosity or whatever makes them tip well every time.

But for the pizza guy it makes sense. Why would it be morally wrong?

Then he wouldnt be taking advantage of them, THEY pay him to come and THEY tip him, its not as if hes tricking them every time he gets to the door into giving them a tip or using there own gullibilaty against them.

 

[Mise]

2. You think you shouldn't do onto others that which you would not have them do onto you.
Reply: You can't influence their behavior. Just because you don't do it doesn't mean they will return the favor. In the same vein doing it won't automatically mean getting to the recieving end of it. Simply put, life ain't fair.

That's not really the point, is it.

 

[Rambuchan]

Or as she calls it: breakfast.

Admirable bit of filth there my friend (it's sick how many jokes I've got along these lines).

GodIsGay: Just for your info, I do not take advantage of other people (especially those less fortunate) because I am situated between 2 and 3 in the OP. There may be residues of 1 still kicking about too. But there's also the old 'what goes around comes around'. Sounds cliched, but it does, somehow, someday. I also feel that you're taking a pretty cynical view of humans with your refutations. Not everyone is as sick as the pizza guy you're on about and people tend to react well to kindness. They tend to reflect back the emotions being projected onto them. They assimilate to the behaviour of those around them. Oops, there's another one for your list

 

[Ecclesiastes]

I beileve lying is Ok as long as it does not benefit you unless it would hurt you or if the lie doesnt hurt or disadvantage anyone.

So basically i would lie to get out of trouble if the people would not find out later.

Weve all got our flavor, but I prefer to man up about it and admit what I did wrong, mind you its rarely for them, but for MY sake.

 

[Nik709]

Then he wouldnt be taking advantage of them, THEY pay him to come and THEY tip him, its not as if hes tricking them every time he gets to the door into giving them a tip or using there own gullibilaty against them.

Of course he does. They will never get a fast delivery, simply because they are generous. He decides against them and in favor of the others because of how they are and because it benefits him. He thus takes advantage of them.

 

[Red Door]

Okay, my religion (Roman Catholic) sees that we help the less fortunate (and as a result, not take advantage of them) as our Lord (Jesus) did this. And we are made to be in Jesus' image, so we must follow that.

 

[Nik709]

GodIsGay: Just for your info, I do not take advantage of other people (especially those less fortunate) because I am situated between 2 and 3 in the OP. There may be residues of 1 still kicking about too. But there's also the old 'what goes around comes around'. Sounds cliched, but it does, somehow, someday. I also feel that you're taking a pretty cynical view of humans with your refutations. Not everyone is as sick as the pizza guy you're on about and people tend to react well to kindness. They tend to reflect back the emotions being projected onto them. They assimilate to the behaviour of those around them. Oops, there's another one for your list

Well, I never said they should realise it. That could of course have results that no longer benefit you and would defeat the point.

Think of situations where you could get away with it. You would take advantage of someone and noone would ever know.

Someone could say stealing is wrong because you could get caught and punished. Now if you assume a situation where you definetely won't get caught and punished, why would it still be wrong?

 

[dh_epic]

2. You think you shouldn't do onto others that which you would not have them do onto you.

Reply: You can't influence their behavior. Just because you don't do it doesn't mean they will return the favor. In the same vein doing it won't automatically mean getting to the recieving end of it. Simply put, life ain't fair.

You made one of the most cognitive errors which is looking for a case that confirms your hypothesis, rather than looking for exceptions.

Yes, absolutely, you could imagine a circumstance where you play the nice guy and someone screws you over.

But what if you play the ***hole? Then people will DEFINITELY not trust you. That reputation will get around fast. Say tomorrow you decided to screw your best friend by going out for lunch, and then running away before the bill comes. You'll lose that friend, and likely more friends than that.

Taking advantage of other people is a surefire way to isolate yourself. So if you're gonna do it, you have to be damn well sure that you don't need anybody. And in this world, people need people. Hate it or learn to love it.

 

[Ecclesiastes]

Becuase you are denying someone the use of something they own, thats why.

 

[Nik709]

Okay, my religion (Roman Catholic) sees that we help the less fortunate (and as a result, not take advantage of them) as our Lord (Jesus) did this. And we are made to be in Jesus' image, so we must follow that.

Okay, as I said in the first post it's pointless to argue with that.

 

[Masquerouge]

Now think of it from the pizza guy's perspective.

There are people who will always give the same good tips no matter the time of delivery, simply because they are that way. After a while he will realise that and then decide to go to those who only tip well for fast delivery first and only after that to the one always giving good tips. He would then take advantage of their general generosity or whatever makes them tip well every time.

But for the pizza guy it makes sense. Why would it be morally wrong?

You seem to assume the majority of people are evil wrongdoers. That's a very serious assumption, and I would like you to try to prove it...
My main counter argument is to say that, despite all your negative examples, people are basically nice and good, and will favor people being nice and good to them. Note that this is not specific to humans.

 

[Nik709]

Becuase you are denying someone the use of something they own, thats why.

And that is bad because...?

 

[Xanikk999]

And that is bad because...?

I wont bother with you. You are just playing dumb. If you can type and spell correctly you should know basic ethics.

 

[Nik709]

You made one of the most cognitive errors which is looking for a case that confirms your hypothesis, rather than looking for exceptions.

Yes, absolutely, you could imagine a circumstance where you play the nice guy and someone screws you over.

But what if you play the ***hole? Then people will DEFINITELY not trust you. That reputation will get around fast. Say tomorrow you decided to screw your best friend by going out for lunch, and then running away before the bill comes. You'll lose that friend, and likely more friends than that.

Taking advantage of other people is a surefire way to isolate yourself. So if you're gonna do it, you have to be damn well sure that you don't need anybody. And in this world, people need people. Hate it or learn to love it.

Read the rest of my replies, please. I am talking about situations where they won't get it. Where you will NOT have any direct negative results from it, only they will have those.

 

[Ecclesiastes]

They might need or want it.....good lord, are you just arguing for the sake of arguing, by this pattern "nothing is bad", tell me then why is murder wrong?I HOPE we can at least agree that that is wrong.

 

[Nik709]

I wont bother with you. You are just playing dumb. If you can type and spell correctly you should know basic ethics.

There is no such thing as basic ethics.

 

[dh_epic]

Read the rest of my replies, please. I am talking about situations where they won't get it. Where you will NOT have any direct negative results from it, only they will have those.

Go ahead. Try being a jerk to your pizza guy. Next time he comes, take the pizza, then slam the door on him before you can pay him.

If the bare minimum happens and you're never allowed to order pizza from there again, consider yourself lucky.

Like I said -- taking advantage of people will inevitably isolate you.

 

[Ecclesiastes]

Everybody has a conscience.