Sunday, February 22, 2015

Stupid Complaint #7: No Pay?

Stupid Complaint #7: “By that same logic you would have to stop paying the person because he/she might go out and buy contraception!”

Basic Reply:  The difference in the degree of involvement in those two cases does make an ethical difference. 

Further Explanation:

Let us suppose you are an employer and you have an employee who is buying cocaine.  That is to say, he is using the money you pay him to buy an illegal substance.

When that man is caught by the police, will the employer be prosecuted for being the source of the addict’s money?  No!  That is because we recognize that the employer is paying someone their just wages for labor performed - and that transaction is totally separate from whatever that employee does with the money.

But now suppose that employer actually gives the employee the cocaine.  Now will the police come for the employer?  You bet.  To actually be the person providing the illicit substance means you are culpably tied to the event.  The same principle applies here.

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