Moral Dilemma?

Maybe I'm just amoral (was certainly described as immoral at least once) but I fail to see any dilemma here.


Willy.

Simply do whatever is best to ensure harmony all round.

I think thats the basic aim of all morals and most legal systems

Cheers

Don

Imagine the thoughts of the original seller. Imagine they find out about the eventual value. How do they feel? How do you feel?

Now imagine you rang them and chose to share a portion of your good fortune. May not be much, perhaps just a gesture. Now imagine how each of you feels.

Seems to me that plan B leaves you in profit in the broadest sense of the word. I'm not sure you'd have posted your question if you felt completely comfortable in the sitauation described.

Bruce

Spread a little happiness

I don't see any dilemma here, either.

However, do whatever makes you feel best.

quote:

I'm not sure you'd have posted your question if you felt completely comfortable in the sitauation described.

Hi Bruce - Actually, I feel quite comfortable with my situation, as any profit (yet to be realised btw) is likely to be quite small (<<£100) - especially after e-Bay and PayPal take a slice. I'm not wracked by guilt about this.

I am more interested in the general case. I've been thinking a lot lately about how much we depend upon the good will and even kindness of people we barely know for our own well being. My question turns this thought around, and asks how far we would be willing to go, in return, for a relative stranger. I understand where people are coming from when they see no dilemma, and accept that this simply reflects the prevailing view. But, it seems to me, there is only no moral issue to consider, as long as one buys into a narrow individualistic account of well being. And, surely, that's an optional purchase?

Regards
Nigel

I think it is up to each persons individual conscience to decide. It is not your fault that the original seller didn't know the true value of the item.

However if you are having a guilt trip then yes give him something but remember he also had the option of posting it on eBay. It is not your fault that they were ignorant of the items value.

You could say that the price you paid them was their perceived real value of the item when they sold it.

No guilt trip here, ewemon - see above

I've never been a fan of the "individual conscience" approach to ethics - it seems to leave no room for a disitinction between the decision someone actually makes, and the *right* decision. We certainly *think* this distinction exists - otherwise we would never get into ethical debates, or criticise other people for their actions.

I accept, by the way, that it's OK to profit in similar situations where one has done something to "add value" to the original purchase - and that this "something" could include intellctual labour (e.g. research) as well as physical labour. In my example, this is not supposed to be the case - the extra profit is accidental, lucky, and - in a sense - undeserved.

Regards
Nigel

While my reflex is much along the line of Bruce's, the original seller may actually be more aggrieved at receiving just a share of the 'profit' than if they are gone on believing they had sold at a fair price and never become aware of the subsequent trade value.

If I were the original seller, I would be delighted to receive an uplift to my original figure, but would all feel this way?

Fraser

Hi


This happened to me not so long ago with an amp, bought it, didn't like it as much as another, sold it and made a few hundred in the space of 2 weeks. I did not do this on purpose, but still felt a bit of a git. I said in my sale to contact by pm to discuss, but the chap offered a price and I accepted. It's just it was way over what I wanted or had paid a few weeks earlier.

On reflection I maybe should have said something, but in the position/ situation I work in this would be seen as insanity. Maybe everything ends up equal in the end, Karma wise. Couple of months latter I sold a tone-arm and lost £200 in the space of a few weeks.

Karma's always gona get ya.


Cheers

Isn't that exactly what the stock market is all about?

That said, I don't actually approve of the stock market for exactly that reason.

So I am not sure of the answer. In a perfect world it is wrong, but in this world, it is just profit.

I am now more confused, as I believe in Darwin, but maybe don't like the methods implied. I should not have come on to this thread straight after considering a play in the Mornington Crescent thread, and I am now very puzzled.

You must do what your conscience dictates.

You are clearly not a candidate for the 'Apprentice' which is a blessing.

quote:

Originally posted by Fraser Hadden:
While my reflex is much along the line of Bruce's, the original seller may actually be more aggrieved at receiving just a share of the 'profit' than if they are gone on believing they had sold at a fair price and never become aware of the subsequent trade value.

If I were the original seller, I would be delighted to receive an uplift to my original figure, but would all feel this way?

Fraser

My thoughts exactly