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Blurred Lines of Morality
- thomaswfaulkner
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Adder, you might have influenced me to do some quiet “reunion crashing” at some family reunion. In the name of science of course.
Dewy.Cosmos, thanks for sharing your personal experiences and allowing others to learn from it. I agree with you, it is difficult to suppose, or impose that our actions have no direct consequences, even when there is a low probability that the other person will recall them, or if we deem they are not “mature enough to comprehend the situation.” Action that capitalizes on another’s vulnerability is hard to morally justify.
Lykeios, simple, practical, and to the point. “Be happy with what you do, just don’t break the laws, or tell me about it you weirdos.”

Gisteron, your take on the second scenario is similar to how I align. I wish to be turned into a tree after I die, but my wife insists on turning me into a wearable ring. Eh, I’m the dead one, she will have to live with losing me in the cushions of the couch.
Manu, I couldn’t even get past “paint whiskers on you hand”. Lol I like the alternatives.
Kyrin, you have a very interesting take on the topic of bestiality. We don’t ask their permission from them at all. We kind of just take without the expectation of received consent. I became a vegetarian for this reason. (But now one can argue that I am a mass murder of the plants that I don’t receive consent from eating, which is an entirely separate discussion.)
I think it’s good to mental exercises like this to understand that some uncomfortable situations might be morally permissible. But how far does one (or should one go) to impose themselves in order to prevent an ambiguous situation? What line do you draw between “live and let live” and “the call to action?”
Right View ~ Right Intention ~ Right Speech ~ Right Action ~ Right Livelihood ~ Right Effort ~ Right Mindfulness ~ Right Concentration
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- OB1Shinobi
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2: Your boss is unethical and is cheating virtually all of the company's clients. He is doing it in a way that isnt quite illegal; he is definitely betraying client trust and skirting the law as much as possible but technically speaking, no laws are being violated. He squeezes as much work out of you as he can and also refuses to give you a raise. You have discovered a way to tap into company funds which you are sure is untraceable and will only directly hurt his personal income.
3: Your husband/wife was driving home drunk and hit someone with their car. They panicked and drove away, and the person died. Your spouse feels terrible about the death, but is also terrified of the punishment for hit and run (which will likely be many years in prison) and does not want to come forward.
The next one is a hypothetical that does not involve "you," and was loosely inspired by the various customs of pederasty in the ancient world
4: A very wealthy, 35 yr old man is enamored of a starving, 13 yr old orphan, and takes the orphan into his home as a lover. The man treats the orphan well in the sense of providing a stable home full of devoted people, a world class education, all the comforts of wealth, and at adulthood provides the orphan with financial backing to create his/her own company. The relationship was both an erotic, sexual relationship, as well as a being a lifetime tutelage (protection and guidance).
People are complicated.
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2. Two wrongs don't make a right. Instead I would try to expose him.
3. I would protect him/her
4. I see no issues with this relationship as its mutually beneficial and would encourage it.
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2. get a new job.
3. bugger me that's a tough one.... set your story as hitting an animal and not realizing.
4. keep it in your pants for a few years. They are just a kid.
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2: I would quit and take the clients with me, treating them better, as they deserve.
3: Flee the country with wife.
4: Not cool. It still seem abusive, even if the sex slave was properly paid for and taken care of.
The pessimist complains about the wind;
The optimist expects it to change;
The realist adjusts the sails.
- William Arthur Ward
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- thomaswfaulkner
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2.) Knowledge is power. I would bring it to the attention to the Human Resources manager to hold a conference with him or to hold meeting to discuss the alleged concerns. If that didn’t work, then I would have already had an idea for a backup position with another company and I would have left the details of my resignation in my notice to corporate.
3.) This is a tough one. My job as a spouse is not to pass judgement, but to be there for them. I would encourage them to look inside themselves and make a decision. Ultimately, I am not the one who is going to live with the consequences of her choice, but her choice, or lack of choice can affect the nature of our present relationship. There is no responsibility in feelings, only in our actions.
4.) I think it would boil down to both parties given consent in the relationship. Morally is it permissible? Sure, I mean you could justify it, because she is willingly allowing the exchange of her services for protection; however, it tip toes on comfortability because we don’t want to see the child being exploited. I would have to know a bit more information about the child’s wellbeing and her input in the situation and if their bargain was unconditional.
Right View ~ Right Intention ~ Right Speech ~ Right Action ~ Right Livelihood ~ Right Effort ~ Right Mindfulness ~ Right Concentration
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in some way to the happiness and freedom for all.
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thomaswfaulkner wrote: 4.) I think it would boil down to both parties given consent in the relationship. Morally is it permissible? Sure, I mean you could justify it, because she is willingly allowing the exchange of her services for protection; however, it tip toes on comfortability because we don’t want to see the child being exploited. I would have to know a bit more information about the child’s wellbeing and her input in the situation and if their bargain was unconditional.
A starving child will do a lot of things he/she doesn't want to if it will guarantee getting out of harm's way. If that is not taking advantage of someone, I don't know what is.
The pessimist complains about the wind;
The optimist expects it to change;
The realist adjusts the sails.
- William Arthur Ward
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Manu wrote:
thomaswfaulkner wrote: 4.) I think it would boil down to both parties given consent in the relationship. Morally is it permissible? Sure, I mean you could justify it, because she is willingly allowing the exchange of her services for protection; however, it tip toes on comfortability because we don’t want to see the child being exploited. I would have to know a bit more information about the child’s wellbeing and her input in the situation and if their bargain was unconditional.
A starving child will do a lot of things he/she doesn't want to if it will guarantee getting out of harm's way. If that is not taking advantage of someone, I don't know what is.
Why is that wrong? We all do things every day to ensure our survival. Unless you are in the child's shoes how can you judge what is acceptable to her to ensure not only the childs survival but the child's advancement in society? Why is sex the taboo that says the cost is too high?
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- thomaswfaulkner
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Exploitation is a sticky subject. It isn't wrong to want to capitalize on the vulnerabilities of others, not necessarily, but I like to focus on a person's intent. Where was this man's intent? Is the child given the ability to not participate in sex or is she simply a purchase tool?
I don't think I'm doing that good of a job verbally explaining it as well as I see the picture in my head.
Right View ~ Right Intention ~ Right Speech ~ Right Action ~ Right Livelihood ~ Right Effort ~ Right Mindfulness ~ Right Concentration
Knight of the Order
Ordained Clergy Person
Teaching Master: Senan
IP Journal l AP Journal l Seminary Journal l Personal Ministry Statement
in some way to the happiness and freedom for all.
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Kyrin Wyldstar wrote: Why is that wrong? We all do things every day to ensure our survival. Unless you are in the child's shoes how can you judge what is acceptable to her to ensure not only the childs survival but the child's advancement in society? Why is sex the taboo that says the cost is too high?
I have no grievance against the child. But the adult taking in the child is leveraging his power to take advantage of the situation. If they really were doing it for the child, then they would at least wait for the child to grow up and be an adult.
The pessimist complains about the wind;
The optimist expects it to change;
The realist adjusts the sails.
- William Arthur Ward
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