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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dannyalcatraz" data-source="post: 6354380" data-attributes="member: 19675">And in fact, the law in most modern jurisdictions only asserts a duty to help if you hold a certain position- fireman, policeman, lifeguard- or in limited circumstances- you caused the problem in question.  In all other cases, we can legally be mere observers.Ethics and morality are different.  They often ask more if us than is legally necessary.For instance, you know the term "show-rooming"?  The practice of doing price comparisons in brick & mortar stores and buying the product online, regardless of where you actually shopped?  It hurts a lot of retailers, but it isn't illegal.  However, certain moral/ethical systems don't see it that way.  I read an essay written by some orthodox Jewish theologians who stated in no uncertain terms that- in their interpretation- this was morally equivalent to theft.  By show-rooming without intent to buy, the shopper has taken the facilities, time and efforts of the shopkeeper & his staff could have used to make a sale to a "real" potential customer.Besides, even S.O.Bs gotta eat- if Hitler was a racist waiter who, nonetheless wound up as your server, would you insist on another server or being seared in a different section?So, it just comes down to a question of conscience- how far do you want to go to punish those you perceive as being wrongdoers?And let's be clear, the "wrongdoers" are performing the same moral/ethical calculus.  It's just that they place different values on the variables.  I know of otherwise very moral people, people I respect, who have what I consider moral failings.  My music minister- a Christian rock artist of no small status- boycotts the work of any musician he knows to be gay, for instance.  (Found that out when I mentioned an Elton John song...)It's a disappointment to to me that he feels thus, but it doesn't stop me from buying his CDs.  This isn't just because I can- as stated previously- separate artist from works, but also because his work is startlingly good at conveying messages of healing and spirituality...and if I did boycott him, I would be acting as he did, albeit with a goal I deem morally superior.  Kinda hubristic.  Also runs afoul of ends/means justifications, and the admonitions Christians are supposed to heed about judging, loving all, and forgiving sins as we forgive the sins of others...</blockquote>

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