The water authority here in DC has sent out flyers telling us to fix that dripping faucet because “it’s costing you”. This got me thinking… I believe the water meter really does not detect such a small flow so it is really not costing me, it is costing them.
I figure a dripping faucet wull drain about $4/mo worth of water. Let us assume the meter does not detect the small flow. Which of these actions would you call unethical:
(a) I have a faucet that drips but I do not repair it because that would cost me $50. I just let it drip.
(b) I have a faucet that drips but I use the water usefully (like watering the flowers).
© The faucet does not drip unless I want it to but I let it drip and use the water which means I am saving $4/mo.
Now let’s multiply all the variables like this: I have an industry and the whole thing is multiplied by 100.
(A) I have a water leak that is costing the supplier $400/mo but it costs me $5000 to repair it so i let it leak.
(B) Same thing but instead of letting the water go I use it
© I cause the leak knowing I can get $400 worth of free water.
Does volume make a difference? From the customer’s view he might think so but to the water company 100 homeoner’s at $4/mo are the same as one industry at $400.
Other examples:
The supermarket overcharges you $1 by mistake. You can get it back by claiming it but the hassle is too great and not worth it. Do you feel you can “steal” a $1 item?
You paid for a $10 item but it was not in the bag when you went out. The store manager refuses to reimburse you. Do you feel you are entitled to shoplift it?
The restaurants supply sugar and do not limit how much you can use. Is it wrong to take some home? How about toilet paper or other freebies?
How about tipping? Obviously you do not have a legal obligation to tip but where is the ethical line?
Does my state of need come into it? How badly should I need it?
Why do many people who would not dream of stealing from a friend feel it is OK to take the same value from a big company (like shoplifting), cheating on their taxes, etc. Again where do you draw the line?
Someone suggested in another thread that if you know you will die soon you should go and buy everything you can on credit knowing they can’t get you after you are dead. Is this ethical?
Does it make a difference whether you think the person or entity you are taking it from is good or bad? Would you rather steal $10 from the person you dislike but who needs it more or from the person you like but who does really not need it?
Can you think of other examples?