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3/20/2013 10:21:39 AM EDT
I was having a discussion with a friend about whether it is wrong to steal from a thief, knowing what he has is ill-gotten (Let's say for hypothetical purposes you know beyond a shadow of a doubt). One position is that theft is ALWAYS wrong no matter what the circumstances. Another is that it's only wrong to steal what was rightfully earned and that the thief has no rightful claim to what he took in the first place, so it can't be considered "stealing" per se.

I can see a little of both sides, I'm curious what other people think about it.

BTW I am not advocating thievery, this is just a hypothetical morality question.
3/20/2013 10:24:27 AM EDT
[#1]
The thief stole his ill-gotten gains from someone else.  Stealing from him just passes those gains along to you - and they are still ill gotten by you.

Unless you are stealing from the thief and returning the money/property to the original owner.
3/20/2013 10:24:56 AM EDT
[#2]
I do not steal from the thief or anyone....

If I know 100% that he stole...I snitch...

that's right I am a dirty rat and I hate thieves
3/20/2013 10:25:00 AM EDT
[#3]
Quoted:
I was having a discussion with a friend about whether it is wrong to steal from a thief, knowing what he has is ill-gotten (Let's say for hypothetical purposes you know beyond a shadow of a doubt). One position is that theft is ALWAYS wrong no matter what the circumstances. Another is that it's only wrong to steal what was rightfully earned and that the thief has no rightful claim to what he took in the first place, so it can't be considered "stealing" per se.

I can see a little of both sides, I'm curious what other people think about it.

BTW I am not advocating thievery, this is just a hypothetical morality question.


Knock, knock...
3/20/2013 10:26:18 AM EDT
[#4]



Quoted:


The thief stole his ill-gotten gains from someone else.  Stealing from him just passes those gains along to you - and they are still ill gotten by you.



Unless you are stealing from the thief and returning the money/property to the original owner.


This.

Unless you are returning it to the rightful owner, stealing something and keeping it is wrong.





Speed



 
3/20/2013 10:26:33 AM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
The thief stole his ill-gotten gains from someone else.  Stealing from him just passes those gains along to you - and they are still ill gotten by you.

Unless you are stealing from the thief and returning the money/property to the original owner.


3/20/2013 10:27:26 AM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
The thief stole his ill-gotten gains from someone else.  Stealing from him just passes those gains along to you - and they are still ill gotten by you.

Unless you are stealing from the thief and returning the money/property to the original owner.


That's a good point that was brought up in my discussion as well, but in this instance you do not know who the original owner is, what then?
3/20/2013 10:27:51 AM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I was having a discussion with a friend about whether it is wrong to steal from a thief, knowing what he has is ill-gotten (Let's say for hypothetical purposes you know beyond a shadow of a doubt). One position is that theft is ALWAYS wrong no matter what the circumstances. Another is that it's only wrong to steal what was rightfully earned and that the thief has no rightful claim to what he took in the first place, so it can't be considered "stealing" per se.

I can see a little of both sides, I'm curious what other people think about it.

BTW I am not advocating thievery, this is just a hypothetical morality question.


Knock, knock...


Who's there?
3/20/2013 10:27:53 AM EDT
[#8]
It would be immoral to take stolen property from a thief and keep it.

It would not be immoral to take stolen property from a thief and return it to it's rightful owner.
3/20/2013 10:27:58 AM EDT
[#9]
If you get caught with twice stolen goods, who is going to jail?  
Two wrongs don't make a right.
3/20/2013 10:28:46 AM EDT
[#10]

Theft is theft.
3/20/2013 10:29:03 AM EDT
[#11]
Stealing is stealing and makes you just as much of a thief as him.

Unless he stole something from you and you're getting it back.
3/20/2013 10:29:04 AM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:
I do not steal from the thief or anyone....

If I know 100% that he stole...I snitch...

that's right I am a dirty rat and I hate thieves


Probably the best and simplest answer really.
3/20/2013 10:29:05 AM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
I was having a discussion with a friend about whether it is wrong to steal from a thief, knowing what he has is ill-gotten (Let's say for hypothetical purposes you know beyond a shadow of a doubt). One position is that theft is ALWAYS wrong no matter what the circumstances. Another is that it's only wrong to steal what was rightfully earned and that the thief has no rightful claim to what he took in the first place, so it can't be considered "stealing" per se.

I can see a little of both sides, I'm curious what other people think about it.


If an argument allows you to justify stealing, then you should re-examine that argument.

3/20/2013 10:29:30 AM EDT
[#14]
What if the thief you are stealing from, stole his stuff from another thief?
3/20/2013 10:29:31 AM EDT
[#15]



Quoted:



Quoted:

The thief stole his ill-gotten gains from someone else.  Stealing from him just passes those gains along to you - and they are still ill gotten by you.



Unless you are stealing from the thief and returning the money/property to the original owner.




That's a good point that was brought up in my discussion as well, but in this instance you do not know who the original owner is, what then?


Then don't fucking steal shit.



WTF are you getting at...even possession of stolen property is a crime in itself for moral reasons in most civilized countries.

This doesn't seem like a real moral quandary here...





Speed





 
3/20/2013 10:29:48 AM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
Quoted:
The thief stole his ill-gotten gains from someone else.  Stealing from him just passes those gains along to you - and they are still ill gotten by you.

Unless you are stealing from the thief and returning the money/property to the original owner.


That's a good point that was brought up in my discussion as well, but in this instance you do not know who the original owner is, what then?


Taking something from someone else that doesn't belong to you is theft.

That makes you a thief.

Anything else is just some kind of rationalization meant to let you do whatever you want without feeling bad about it.
3/20/2013 10:29:58 AM EDT
[#17]
Quoted:

Quoted:
The thief stole his ill-gotten gains from someone else.  Stealing from him just passes those gains along to you - and they are still ill gotten by you.

Unless you are stealing from the thief and returning the money/property to the original owner.

This.
Unless you are returning it to the rightful owner, stealing something and keeping it is wrong.


Speed
 

You wouldn't be "stealing" it back. Just returning it to its rightful owner.
3/20/2013 10:30:04 AM EDT
[#18]
A thief should be shot, not stolen from.
3/20/2013 10:30:21 AM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I was having a discussion with a friend about whether it is wrong to steal from a thief, knowing what he has is ill-gotten (Let's say for hypothetical purposes you know beyond a shadow of a doubt). One position is that theft is ALWAYS wrong no matter what the circumstances. Another is that it's only wrong to steal what was rightfully earned and that the thief has no rightful claim to what he took in the first place, so it can't be considered "stealing" per se.

I can see a little of both sides, I'm curious what other people think about it.

BTW I am not advocating thievery, this is just a hypothetical morality question.


Knock, knock...


Who's there?


For OP.

3/20/2013 10:30:25 AM EDT
[#20]
Quoted:
I was having a discussion with a friend about whether it is wrong to steal from a thief, knowing what he has is ill-gotten (Let's say for hypothetical purposes you know beyond a shadow of a doubt). One position is that theft is ALWAYS wrong no matter what the circumstances. Another is that it's only wrong to steal what was rightfully earned and that the thief has no rightful claim to what he took in the first place, so it can't be considered "stealing" per se.

I can see a little of both sides, I'm curious what other people think about it.

BTW I am not advocating thievery, this is just a hypothetical morality question.




Sounds very similar to how the leftists view the whole "Pay their fair share thing" - "You didn't earn that, you got it off the backs of women and minorities!"

So, I guess what I'm saying is, theft is theft. Period.
3/20/2013 10:30:28 AM EDT
[#21]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I was having a discussion with a friend about whether it is wrong to steal from a thief, knowing what he has is ill-gotten (Let's say for hypothetical purposes you know beyond a shadow of a doubt). One position is that theft is ALWAYS wrong no matter what the circumstances. Another is that it's only wrong to steal what was rightfully earned and that the thief has no rightful claim to what he took in the first place, so it can't be considered "stealing" per se.

I can see a little of both sides, I'm curious what other people think about it.

BTW I am not advocating thievery, this is just a hypothetical morality question.


Knock, knock...




that was quick.
3/20/2013 10:31:13 AM EDT
[#22]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I was having a discussion with a friend about whether it is wrong to steal from a thief, knowing what he has is ill-gotten (Let's say for hypothetical purposes you know beyond a shadow of a doubt). One position is that theft is ALWAYS wrong no matter what the circumstances. Another is that it's only wrong to steal what was rightfully earned and that the thief has no rightful claim to what he took in the first place, so it can't be considered "stealing" per se.

I can see a little of both sides, I'm curious what other people think about it.

BTW I am not advocating thievery, this is just a hypothetical morality question.


Knock, knock...


Didn't go with the No-Knock ban this time?
3/20/2013 10:31:17 AM EDT
[#23]
Morality is individual. Only you can decide.
3/20/2013 10:31:55 AM EDT
[#24]
Get'em NorCal

And to answer the OP, if you didn't earn it, it is wrong.
3/20/2013 10:32:27 AM EDT
[#25]
I advocate any revenge or retribution available for thieves.

If that means stealing what they stole so they can't profit from it so be it.

Return it if possible, donate it to someone in need otherwise.

But ruining their best laid plans in any manner is OK in my book.
3/20/2013 10:32:57 AM EDT
[#26]
From my viewpoint, stealing is stealing.  If it isn't yours, leave it alone.  Stealing from a thief would put you in the same catagory as the original thief.  Futhermore, if it is known for certainty that the item is stolen, advise the authorities.
3/20/2013 10:33:04 AM EDT
[#27]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I was having a discussion with a friend about whether it is wrong to steal from a thief, knowing what he has is ill-gotten (Let's say for hypothetical purposes you know beyond a shadow of a doubt). One position is that theft is ALWAYS wrong no matter what the circumstances. Another is that it's only wrong to steal what was rightfully earned and that the thief has no rightful claim to what he took in the first place, so it can't be considered "stealing" per se.

I can see a little of both sides, I'm curious what other people think about it.

BTW I am not advocating thievery, this is just a hypothetical morality question.




Sounds very similar to how the leftists view the whole "Pay their fair share thing" - "You didn't earn that, yu got it off the backs of women and minorities!"

So, I guess what I'm saying is, theft is theft. Period.


I think you're right, that does put it in a different light and makes a good argument against the rationalization.
3/20/2013 10:33:40 AM EDT
[#28]
If he stole it from me, I'm taking it back.  Taking it back and stealing it back are different.
3/20/2013 10:35:44 AM EDT
[#29]
Quoted:
Didn't go with the No-Knock ban this time?


I have to remember that one.

Well, the OP obviously doesn't like knock knock jokes.

3/20/2013 10:35:58 AM EDT
[#30]



Quoted:



Quoted:

I was having a discussion with a friend about whether it is wrong to steal from a thief, knowing what he has is ill-gotten (Let's say for hypothetical purposes you know beyond a shadow of a doubt). One position is that theft is ALWAYS wrong no matter what the circumstances. Another is that it's only wrong to steal what was rightfully earned and that the thief has no rightful claim to what he took in the first place, so it can't be considered "stealing" per se.



I can see a little of both sides, I'm curious what other people think about it.



BTW I am not advocating thievery, this is just a hypothetical morality question.

Sounds very similar to how the leftists view the whole "Pay their fair share thing" - "You didn't earn that, you got it off the backs of women and minorities!"



So, I guess what I'm saying is, theft is theft. Period.


Came in here to post this.  

 
3/20/2013 10:36:39 AM EDT
[#31]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I was having a discussion with a friend about whether it is wrong to steal from a thief, knowing what he has is ill-gotten (Let's say for hypothetical purposes you know beyond a shadow of a doubt). One position is that theft is ALWAYS wrong no matter what the circumstances. Another is that it's only wrong to steal what was rightfully earned and that the thief has no rightful claim to what he took in the first place, so it can't be considered "stealing" per se.

I can see a little of both sides, I'm curious what other people think about it.

BTW I am not advocating thievery, this is just a hypothetical morality question.


Knock, knock...


Ken?!
3/20/2013 10:37:10 AM EDT
[#32]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I was having a discussion with a friend about whether it is wrong to steal from a thief, knowing what he has is ill-gotten (Let's say for hypothetical purposes you know beyond a shadow of a doubt). One position is that theft is ALWAYS wrong no matter what the circumstances. Another is that it's only wrong to steal what was rightfully earned and that the thief has no rightful claim to what he took in the first place, so it can't be considered "stealing" per se.

I can see a little of both sides, I'm curious what other people think about it.

BTW I am not advocating thievery, this is just a hypothetical morality question.


Knock, knock...


Ken?!




3/20/2013 10:37:15 AM EDT
[#33]
Quoted:
You seem ... familiar.


3/20/2013 10:37:28 AM EDT
[#34]



Quoted:


You seem ... familiar.




 
3/20/2013 10:37:34 AM EDT
[#35]
Quoted:
I was having a discussion with a friend about whether it is wrong to steal from a thief, knowing what he has is ill-gotten (Let's say for hypothetical purposes you know beyond a shadow of a doubt). One position is that theft is ALWAYS wrong no matter what the circumstances. Another is that it's only wrong to steal what was rightfully earned and that the thief has no rightful claim to what he took in the first place, so it can't be considered "stealing" per se.

I can see a little of both sides, I'm curious what other people think about it.

BTW I am not advocating thievery, this is just a hypothetical morality question.




You seem ... familiar.
3/20/2013 10:37:51 AM EDT
[#36]
Well, stealing from a thief got OJ locked up, so there is that.
3/20/2013 10:38:03 AM EDT
[#37]
re-registered banned member.