If I was well to do and someone stole some money from me, would I care? Hell no! Should I care? I should have given it to them in the first place. I never steal, although I may sometimes take what I need which others are too greedy to permit me to have.I think you're treading a pretty fine line here, and maybe crossing it. Of course you would care if you'd worked your butt off to gain something and someone else just walked up & took it.
You say that the wealthy constantly steal from us. Probably true, but have you got an example frm your own life we could discuss? What do you concider wealthy/well to do? How much must someone have for it to be OK to steal from them? And always be aware who you are stealing from - if you steal from a business they just raise prices to compensate or pay their staff less - your actually stealing from the people who pay and work honestly.
Should the "rich" man already have given the "poor" man what he wants, before he feels the need to steal it? Maybe. So sell everything you have & give all your money to Indian gettos on Monday. There are people in the world to whom you are rich beyond belief.
Just because the "rich" have something & you want it, how does that make it right for you to take it form them? Because that would make your life better? That doesn't sound like a very moral argument either.
Your last sentance is confusing. Stealing by any other name is stealing. It may be more understandable (the starving man steaking a loaf of bread...) but it is still stealing. How do you justify taking things that aren't yours?
I'm not trying to insult you or suggest that you are dishonest (although your message left me unsure). I just see no justification for saying stealing is right, just as long as the other person has more.
Originally posted by OmnislashIf you've ever had something stolen from you that worked hard to earn the money to buy and really liked, I think you'll be less likely to steal from others.
I know I sound like a selfish and petty person, but I still say you should take the money and run. The wealthy steal from us constantly. They just do it in a "legal" fashion. Legal, not moral. If the motivation is need, not greed, then "stealing" is actually "self preservation" in my book. If I was well to do and someone stole some money from me, wou ...[text shortened]... , although I may sometimes take what I need which others are too greedy to permit me to have. 😉
However you try to justify it in terms of the greater philosophical dilemma of corporations exploiting individuals, the fact is that every action has its consequences. What if, by not admitting to have been given this money that wasn't yours, the manager who you worked for is personally held accountable, and fired from the firm? What if he has a family that was depending on his support to eat and pay bills? Was it worthwhile for $160? And just because a corporation is big doesn't necessarily make it evil. Every company started out as a small business at some point. Either because they were successful, strategically placed in the market, or exploited flaws in the system (have to include Microsoft somewhere) they then became big companies. Companies that are successful because of the hard work of its employees and the innovations of those who designed its products should not be penalized for this success, and your dogma that 'companies have historically taken advantage of people, so it's OK to take advantage of them' purports to do just that.
I have no doubt that many people and corporations have become wealthy and successful through exploitation and other dubious means. But to respond by stealing from them does not address this problem, it perpetuates it.
-mike
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Maybe they're testing your character. They are thinking of offering you a full time position but since they don't know that much about you after only a few days, they decided to overpay you and see what you do about it.
No, that's probably not the case at all. I'm sure they just made an honest mistake. Oh, did I use the word "honest"?
regards, Marc
Originally posted by T1000Situational ethics are an excuse for not developing an ethos for yourself. Principles are nouns. They are real "things" that guide your life. "Principal" is an adjective. It is often used as in the expression "my principal belief". Situational ethics are based on descriptions, hence are adjectives only. Develop a basic set of principles that guide action with Self, Other Individuals and finally with Third Parties and groups. Mine are:
Recently I did some temporary work. As agreed with the employer I worked three days in week 1, four days in week 2, and two days in week 3. Turns out that I've been paid for working all 5 days of both weeks 1 and 2 (don't know about the third week yet). So in other words I've been paid for three days work which I didn't do. With the possiblility of being o ...[text shortened]... e possibility of that amount rising to £222 depending on what happens to week 3's pay.
T1000
First person... I want freedom in all things in direct relationship to my responsibilty.
Second person... I grant you the same as I grant myself, with the same proviso.
Third person... (group ethic) I always defend the innocent and always oppose the tyrant.
Your ethos (principles) can be whatever you decide, but to be "a person of principle" you need to not destroy your own principles by your actions.
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A quote from a play which I feel is appropriate at this point:
Biedermann: In unseren Kreisen, wissen Sie, wird selten jemand geschnappt -
Eisenring: Weil man in Ihren Kreisen keine Holzwolle stiehlt, das ist klar, Herr Biedermann, das ist der Klassenunterschied.
My (probably dodgy) translation:
Biedermann: In our (social) circles, you know, hardly anyone gets 'nicked' -
Eisenring: Because obviously one does not steal wood-wool in your circles, Herr Biedermann, that is the class difference.
If you get the chance, I recommend you see/read "Biedermann und die Brandstifter" (that's "Biedermann and the Arsonists" or somesuch in English) by Max Frisch, from which this quote comes.
PS This refers mostly to Omnislash's comments.
Originally posted by T1000As the human resources manager for that particular geotechnical engineering company, may i just say that i have been able to identify you from the work schedule details you provided, and i strongly suggest you return the money. Otherwise we will be forced to take steps to recover the amount owing us.😠PS Don't be fooled by the 'Canberra, Australia' location - I'm just on holiday here.😵 PPS Ok, sorry, poor joke, I couldn't resist.😳 On a semi-serious note, i was once in a slightly similar situation, I think. I had recently started a new job, and was coming to the end of my 3 month probation, at which time i had been promised a salary increase, given satisfactory performance. The CEO told me personally and repeatedly that the extra money would begin from a particular date (emphasising it) but, thanks to a mix-up (or test?), it began appearing in my pay packet a month early. I pondered: should I mention it?😕
Recently I did some temporary work. As agreed with the employer I worked three days in week 1, four days in week 2, and two days in week 3. Turns out that I've been paid for working all 5 days of both weeks 1 and 2 (don't know about the third week yet). So in other words I've been paid for three days work which I didn't do. With the possiblility of being o ...[text shortened]... e possibility of that amount rising to £222 depending on what happens to week 3's pay.
T1000