When I was homeless, I stole quite a bit. I did it out of survival. I did not need to justify it in the polite limits of society, because I was outside of "society". As I was not part of the civilization around me, I did not view any of it's laws or codes as applying to me, as long as I managed not get caught. The only benefit that I was deriving from the civilization around me at that time was my ability to (often illicitly) extract from it what I needed.
I did have somewhat of a ethical code, I kept my stealing to mostly large businesses. I did not view these businesses as having any more right to their "property" than I had. And 12-13 years later, I still do not regret my actions and placed in the same situation again I would do same.
My point is, if the rules of civilization do not ensure that people are able to survive and prosper, people will reasonably live outside of the rules of civilization. Of course, not all crime is out of necessity; but drying up government assistance will create more crime that is.
My personal code kept me from doing real harm to individuals, but not everyone excluded from society will develop a similar personal ethical code. If I were not so adept a thief, I am not sure I would have been able to either. Morals and ethics are luxuries, but luxuries I think it best to ensure that people can afford.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2006-10-31 05:02 pm (UTC)When I was homeless, I stole quite a bit. I did it out of survival. I did not need to justify it in the polite limits of society, because I was outside of "society". As I was not part of the civilization around me, I did not view any of it's laws or codes as applying to me, as long as I managed not get caught. The only benefit that I was deriving from the civilization around me at that time was my ability to (often illicitly) extract from it what I needed.
I did have somewhat of a ethical code, I kept my stealing to mostly large businesses. I did not view these businesses as having any more right to their "property" than I had. And 12-13 years later, I still do not regret my actions and placed in the same situation again I would do same.
My point is, if the rules of civilization do not ensure that people are able to survive and prosper, people will reasonably live outside of the rules of civilization. Of course, not all crime is out of necessity; but drying up government assistance will create more crime that is.
My personal code kept me from doing real harm to individuals, but not everyone excluded from society will develop a similar personal ethical code. If I were not so adept a thief, I am not sure I would have been able to either. Morals and ethics are luxuries, but luxuries I think it best to ensure that people can afford.