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by Stableboy on May 27th, 2007
Because I'm not separate from the whole of life, including the store's owners. I don't have to know them personally to see that stealing from them dishonors that relationship between myself and them, and between myself and the whole. And I can see that honoring this broadest-possible relationship is the basic glue that holds my own "clarity of being" together -- it's the source of being satisfied and fully alive. To violate it is to damage myself far more than anything I'd be doing to them.
EDIT = = = = = = = = = =
Jodie (in response to your comment):
The broader question here is "what is the final basis for morality?". I hold that there are various "levels" to moral development, each with it's own "motive" for doing good and avoiding bad:
"Child": I might get caught. Punishment and reward is the lowest level of moral motive... it's completely self-centered, and cares nothing for principles or others. If a child can get away with stealing, and this is their level of moral development, they will steal.
"Adolescent": Black and white rule-based: People at this level tend to have very rigid rules about what actions are right and what are wrong, but lack a coherent understanding of why. The moral motivation at this level is still ego-based, although it's more subtle and abstract: "I don't steal because I'm a good person and stealing is wrong". The ego wants to maintain it's coherence as a "good person", and that is a much more powerful and effective regulator of behavior than punishment/reward. Still self-centered, but a big improvement over "child" level morality.
"Paternal": Concern and care based: This level can best be represented by a mother overseeing her own and other children playing together. The mother's attention is mostly directed outward at the children, wanting to ensure they're safe, provide mentoring lessons, teach fair play, etc. There's not much ego left in the motive, it's all about the kids. The mother doesn't steal because it's totally inconsistent with what she's committed to accomplishing. It's unlikely the thought would even cross her mind.
"Universal": Inter-identity based: At this level, the relationship between the individual and others is seen as the true basis of being. That is, "I" is defined in a way which is intricately interwoven with the whole of humanity: "I am responsible for all of humanity" is the way one holds one's own self-definition. Think Gandhi, MLK, Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa as pinnacle examples... people who recognize a basis for their own being which is much broader than "me and mine", or "me and my nation". If you are the world, who would you be stealing from, and what would your motive for doing so be? You already own it all, in a sense.
by FreeRadical Jetpacking for Nelson on May 27th, 2007
Because it would hurt someone else.
by Babycakes on May 27th, 2007
Because I was caught shoplifting many moons ago and it scared the poop out of me..and the fact that it's stealing and wrong.
by Eltinwe has a life Swan - DYOH on May 27th, 2007
Because it's wrong.
by Sunblynd 5.0 on May 28th, 2007
Because my freedom is worth more than 50 bucks, or any insurmountable amount you could imagine.
by grandpa on May 28th, 2007
If I felt within myself that I shouldn't do something, or I really have to think about if I have to do it or not. Then nine times out of ten I shouldn't be doing it. Besides the way my parents raised me or what God wants me to do, you and I have a inner person that tells us who and what we are. As long as I have a pumping heart and someone has a car that needs washing or a lawn that needs cutting I will have to tell you, no thank you, I can't.
by Glory on May 27th, 2007
The first thing that I'd say is simply that it's wrong. It's stealing - it's not yours. It would leave some with a guilty conscience, never mind the legal aspects of being caught.
by Nelson - Jetpacking from bed on May 27th, 2007
It's illegal, it's ethically wrong, you are harming someone, it's not yours.
by Sheriff Raff -Answerhag on May 27th, 2007
Stealing is condemened in the Bible. Thieves will not inherit God's kingdom.
1 Cornithians 6: 9-11
What! Do YOU not know that unrighteous persons will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men, nor thieves, nor greedy persons, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit God’s kingdom. And yet that is what some of YOU were. But YOU have been washed clean, but YOU have been sanctified, but YOU have been declared righteous in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God.
by The Dean on June 7th, 2008
It's not mine.
I want others to respect my property, so I must respect theirs.
Simple as that.
by Sixty B - Commander Topcoat on April 12th, 2008
Like you know, it doesn't matter the amount. If you steal something, you detract from your own self-worth. And at the end of the day, you are what you have cultivated in your own life. Whatever is negative is going to bring you down and deplete who you are. The positive... the strong choices, the selflessness, the conscience... that is the person that is in the present moment and who is choosing to be worth so much that all good things will naturally come to them.
by Lora Dee Corr on May 28th, 2007
basically when boiled down to the core, the true answer for the majority of people is social indoctrination. It is the way we were raised, indoctrinated so to speak and that is not alays a bad thing sometimes it simply happens as a result of consequences. We have been told to 'not steal so therefore we don't steal. We live in a socially conscious global state rather than a primitive one.
by Jessica on May 27th, 2007
Its just not right, stealing in the long run has instant Karma that you can't see until your Karma comes around to bite you back, sometimes Karma waits until you take your last breath, so why chance it.
by Old School on May 27th, 2007
Because it would damage my sense of personal honor
by Midnighttoker on May 27th, 2007
it's just not right. the only thing i could possibly steal would be food. i'd have to be desperate.
by singwell-is off researching a lot on June 20th, 2007
1) it's against my beliefs- You shall not steal (Exodus 20)
2)it hurts everyone, sending prices up to compensate for lost revenue.
by Scifisuz on June 20th, 2007
Interesting question. Some wouldn't for moral reasons, others for religious ones, others for social reasons or fear of reprisal, other's ego would not allow it. Then there are those that WOULD STEAL $50 no sweat.
I guess mine would be moral sometimes, others social, fear of getting caught .... And maybe , depending, I might steal too.
by PrettyPirate on May 28th, 2007
Because I believe what goes around comes around.
I steal something worth $50 ... something of mine gets stolen that is worth $150. I steal something worth $150 ... something of mine gets stolen that is worth $450, etc. I don't believe that you can just go around taking what you like, when you like. If it isn't yours, don't take it.
by P. W. Pasobrio loves Marines on May 27th, 2007
Because it's not the right thing to do. Especially if you can pay for it or don't really need it. Now if it's a situation like Huriacan Katrine I say steal all the food and water you can get your hands on. It's either that or die.
by dreamingoutloud on August 17th, 2008
getting caught
it's hurting someone else? maybe for ma and pa shoppes but do you really think walmart needs another $50?
by alwayscurious on June 13th, 2009
Because I wouldn't steal anything from any store, no matter what the cost of it is. It's wrong to steal for many reasons. It's against the law, but wrong morally too.
by my2cents--Vote for Paul on June 13th, 2009
I do not steal. It is wrong.
by latoya06 on June 9th, 2009
stealing is bad
by Mr Fixit on June 9th, 2009
It is an unloving thing to cause loss to someone else, and is displeasing to our creator.
by bagicide stayed 10 months too long on June 9th, 2009
The Ten Commandments: Thou shalt not steal.
by Defective on June 9th, 2009
It's just not the kind of person that I want to be. I respect myself and others too much to stoop so low.
by BritishPatriot on March 11th, 2009
I hate people who steal and I think they should have there hands cut of like they did in the olden days and that's all the reason I need not to do it.
by Gone on February 19th, 2009
Because I hate thieves more anything else in this world and I don't want to hate myself.
by dead leaves raked in a pile on February 19th, 2009
I have a sense of right and wrong. That comes under the category of wrong.
by BOOZE HOUND... nothing is nonsence on June 7th, 2008
Because i proberly get caught,therefor i'd have to steal something expensive for it to be worth the risk.
by dr james on April 12th, 2008
i wouldnt want anyone to steal 50 dollars from me or my store... therefore i shouldnt steal from others.
its a moral choice, to do good to others & no harm
...and its wrong
now, that said, am i going to condemn someone who stole $50 worth of food or medicine etc from me or my store? someone desperate to help their family?
of course not, but i will tell them to stop it... and ask me please, for what they need and i will still graciously help them, overflowingly.
and most good folks will.
by Rock Shiner on April 12th, 2008
The way I was raised.
by Jade on April 12th, 2008
It's just not worth the risk of getting caught...not to mention the embarrassment.
by gone on April 12th, 2008
I would only steal something I needed and I could not possibly need anything over $50. only food or a drink maybe clothes if i hit that low of a point in my life
by Vampyre Bat on April 12th, 2008
Because it is wrong.
by ImNotAnonymous-COAT of Maestro-ness on April 12th, 2008
I'm afraid I would get caught. I don't need the money. It isn't worth the money.
by Jed Merrill on April 12th, 2008
I value my integrity more than $50.
by Masta on June 27th, 2007
I have two key factors that don't allow me to steal:
- My good life.
- My good principles.
But if one of above misses I'll steal with no hesitation I think...
And I think that the reference of price in the question is for me irrelevant...
by Jewel on June 27th, 2007
Don't want to mess up my karma.
by Bonitaverano on June 25th, 2007
Fear of getting caught. Not proud of the answer, but it's the truth.
by tinybubbles is sitting on the carpet read on June 20th, 2007
It is wrong to steal.
by Anonymous on June 20th, 2007
Stealing anything will ruin your future life. a shoplifting conviction stays on your record, the rest of your life.
Applying for a government job? forget it! your shoplifting conviction will stop your application cold in its tracks.
Need more?
by Anonymous on November 7th, 2009
Self respect. +5
by daisychain on June 13th, 2009
Because it is rude and I have more respect than that.
by Andariel on June 13th, 2009
Because I don't want the consequences. I wouldn't like how it would affect my relationship with my friends, and my parents. There are times to break the rules but that isn't one of them.
by Crazed_Wiseman on June 9th, 2009
it wouldn't fit in my pocket
by wing.walker on June 9th, 2009
Hard to explain, but stealing anything would just feel wrong. Like I'd be helping to throw the universe off-center or something. Not only that, which is bad enough, but the reason -- greed and/or selfishness -- would make the theft even worse.
by CaptRon on February 19th, 2009
If it doesn't belong to me or I can't buy it I don't want it.
by Anonymous on February 19th, 2009
Cos im not that desperate (yet)
by Joseph has another name on February 19th, 2009
Because i wouldn't want anyone to do it to me..... why should i do it to someone else?
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You're reading If I asked you the main reason you wouldn't steal something worth, say, $50 from a store, what would you tell me?
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Comments
Outstandingly good answer! Thanks.
by Jodie44 on May 27th, 2007
Just about what I was trying to say, but said much more completely and elegantly. Thanks
by Old School on May 27th, 2007
Stableboy, remember you once talked about this subject and you said that getting caught was the least advanced (for lack of a better description) reason not to steal and idealistic altruism (for lack of a better description) was the highest? Can you summarize that again?
by Jodie44 on May 27th, 2007
Ok, I edited. Thanks!
by Stableboy on May 27th, 2007
Wow. Thanks for adding that. Very helpful. I'll explain tomorrow.
by Jodie44 on May 27th, 2007
I remember learning these levels in a philosophy class and I can't remember who it was who put forth this theory, but I think it's right on.
by LynfromNM on June 20th, 2007
Well I never took that class: this is basically my own experience merged with who knows how many long-forgotten influences from others, books, etc. I think it can be derived just by growing older and observing oneself and others; the names and precise number of levels are fairly arbitrary... basically we're talking about a progression from egocentric to "whole-centric", yes?
by Stableboy on June 20th, 2007
lol, I wasn't trying to hint that you "stole" the theory, just that I've heard it or something similar. I'm just interested in seeing how your levels compare to this other person's.
by LynfromNM on June 20th, 2007
Gosh, I must be tired... if I sound that sensitive. Chances are I DID steal it without being aware! :)
The person I know who's most thorough about this kind of thing is Ken Wilber... he'll take *hundreds* of different books and articles on a topic like this, read them all, lay them out all over the floor in his house, write charts and diagrams and try to correlate the different models of different theorists, and then cook up a book about his synthesis. A real genius, I think. Pretty big ego to go with it, too! :)
Here's a good intro to his work:
http://tinyurl.com/22mnvq
by Stableboy on June 20th, 2007
Yes, I've seen Wilber's and someone named David Hawkins. I had no idea that was how Wilber does his work though, he must be quite the character! Thanks! The guy I was thinking of was 18th century though, some contemporary of Locke and that bunch.
by LynfromNM on June 20th, 2007
I've seen in your answer major generalizations but I think it's alright although i don't agree fully.
by Masta on June 27th, 2007
Yes, I would agree that there are major generalizations... unfortunately I'm not articulate enough to get all the detail that I can see into a reasonably-sized answer. Thanks.
by Stableboy on June 27th, 2007
good answer +6...those were a whole lot of words to say simply we are all inter-connected into one larger whole, so when I steal and hurt others I am also hurting myself. See...less that three lines.
by Vampyre Bat on April 12th, 2008
Yes, and I've given that short answer many times. The trouble with that answer is that while it's compact, it's also fairly meaningless to someone who doesn't already get it. It's like describing sex to someone who's never had it -- you might fit your description on a bumper sticker, but that doesn't mean you're communicating.
by Brand Y on April 13th, 2008
Your analysis of my statement doesn't take into account the fact that those who will steal either don't understand the statement or most likely do not care. If you say that my statement is not understandable I find it hard to believe that the average person will understand the paragraphs you have posted here. They are much more likely to grasp my "bumper sticker as you call it. The question of the morality of theft really shouldn't take paragraphs to comprehend. For most a "bumper Sticker" would do just fine.
by Vampyre Bat on April 13th, 2008
The original answer was pretty short. Jodie asked for clarification, I provided it, and indicated that in the answer. I'm not clear what you're objecting to.
by Brand Y on April 13th, 2008
I said most people do not put that kind of analysis into a relatively simple concept. I am not objecting at all.
by Vampyre Bat on April 13th, 2008