Ok, that's a very simple question. "Is it moral to steal?"
Now, give me a single answer to that question which holds true across the following scenarios:
a) You're stealing food so that your child won't starve.
b) You're stealing medicine so that your child will recover from illness sooner.
c) You're stealing a Porche because you want it.
One "yes or no" question with more than 1 answer. The world isn't binary, even when the questions are formulated as such. Sometimes the answer to a "yes or no" question is "maybe".
You know, this OT line is my fault. So I'll stop here since this has nothing to do with the topic. Nobody has to agree. I am a realist. I am REALLY a realist. Not like, "oh, I don't know if my team is going to win this Sunday, they kinda suck this year." I mean, completely based in what
actually happens, possibly autistic, black and white, REAList. (and getting worse because of what I see around me, or better, depending on your viewpoint)
Here is my point more directly, and morals is actually the best way to discuss it, good job by Sam to get right to it. And please note, I am not getting into other people's actions, morals is far more introspective. I'm not looking at you, you can do that.
People like to say morals are a grey area. But they aren't, not at the end, not when you really get right down to it. Using your examples...
- On the practical part...There is no maybe, you either steal those items or you don't. If you go back and forth for 10 years trying to decide if you will steal the Porsche next door, even just for a joyride, you decided No. That isn't maybe, reality gives the answer you chose, you never did it. Thinking about it is not a decision.
- On whether it's moral, take the stealing bread when starving example, let's say a person stole it. Everyone is different as to their moral specifics, of course. But they still come down to 2 choices. Either they think what they did is moral, or they don't. If they don't, they probably beat themselves up about it, going back and forth, "was it right" in their thoughts if not daily, frequently for years later. Guess what: they decided it was immoral. That's why the conscience is beating them up. (it's just ego and selfishness that makes us want to deny it, in this scenario)
IOW: the whole "grey area" is actually No. All the back and forth thoughts people go through is just deciding which side you fall on, it doesn't mean there are infinite answers. You WILL draw a line. And, IMO, the best thing to do is to own up to it. Not to me, to yourself. Sam said earlier he felt sorry for me. Wrong direction, I assure you. I know who I am and I don't lie to myself, not for very long, anyway. If I make what I feel is an immoral decision, then I can deal with it more easily than I see others doing. Whether I go positive or negative, I deal with what I have/n't done, in reality. (side point: if you are beating yourself up over moral decisions, a binary question for you. Do you like yourself? Tip: decide, then work towards the positive if necessary)
----------
I may actually believe YOU. But try my test.
RIP.