Yes, I have met a few people (a very few people) that live under this misconception. Almost as many people as live under the (false) impression they have a sense of humor. So...
1. Speed?
2. Drink underage?
3. Smoke cigarettes underage?
4. Jaywalk?
5. Use a chemical (like a cleaner) in a manner not prescribed by use? (Including using at a higher dilution strength than recommended for its use)
6. Fail to mention every single last cent of income on your taxes?
The Serious Ones (laws you probably were aware of):
1. Speed?
2. Drink underage?
3. Smoke cigarettes underage?
4. Jaywalk?
5. Use a chemical (like a cleaner) in a manner not prescribed by use? (Including using at a higher dilution strength than recommended for its use)
6. Fail to mention every single last cent of income on your taxes?
Now, using these as a justification for stealing PDFs? Except for #6 these are all laws for safety and health. Unless you are being willfully negligent or acting in a hazardous way, #1-5 don't really compare to theft. #6 does and IMO anyone cheating on their taxes is just as bad as stealing a PDF.
Do you (did you):
The Serious Ones (laws you probably were aware of):
1. Speed?
2. Drink underage?
3. Smoke cigarettes underage?
4. Jaywalk?
5. Use a chemical (like a cleaner) in a manner not prescribed by use? (Including using at a higher dilution strength than recommended for its use)
6. Fail to mention every single last cent of income on your taxes?
Edit: Added Virginia:
Virginia
- In Richmond, it is illegal to flip a coin in any eating establishment to determine who buys a cup of coffee.
- In Norfolk, a man may face 60 days in jail for patting a woman's derriere.
- There is a state law prohibiting ``corrupt practices of bribery by any person other than candidates.''
- In Lebanon, it is illegal to kick your wife out of bed.
1. I'm not actually using these as a justification for stealing PDFs. I'm just pointing out that many people use "THE LAW" as the reason they either act a certain way or have a certain belief---it's wrong because IT'S AGAINST THE LAW.
You are making a choice beyond just whether it is the law or not, and in some cases (speeding, etc) choosing to completely disregard the law in favor of your own judgement. You also seem to be okay with that. (I'm certainly not judging you for it).
My point, again, is that it's not the law that defines whether or not something is okay, it is our own judgement (and the norms and mores of society). The law has influence, to be sure, as it is a public statement of a norm, and it also usually carries with it an enforceable penalty. That further creates grey area as these penalties may or may not be enforced. If I impersonate Santa Claus, I'd be shocked if I go to jail, and I think there would be a public outcry. Is it a law? Yes. Is it enforced? No. So then, does it even matter that it is a law?
2. You seem to state that health laws are less important than property laws. I'd beg to differ. Even if I'm driving carefully, every mile per hour I go faster increases the probability that an accident will be fatal. Drinking underage can lead to alcohol poisoning and death. Using chemicals at the wrong dilution can lead to poisoning of local wells (especially if you have a septic tank). Steal someone's property? Nobody dies. I'm not saying that makes stealing right, by any means. However, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the "health laws" as insignificant or even as not measuring up to property laws.