Suffering "Wild" orchid removal ethical or not?

[theloyalplum]

@Subrosa

I don't think @epiphyte78 was referring the degree of guilt that the OP has. I think we can be certain that the OP is guilty of taking the plants from private property without permission, that much he has admitted to. What @epiphyte78 is discussing now is his perspectives on the ethics of the event. He is a self-identified consequentialist, and I recommend reading into some of consequentialist/utilitarian ideology before judging the man's character.

What we are trying to do here is to have an honest discussion about the ethics of the situation, not to absolve guilt. I may have misspoke earlier, and for that I apologize, but at the core of this discussion is whether or not the actions or decisions that took place are ethical.

I cannot stress it enough that nobody here is in the right or in the wrong. We all have different experiences, upbringings and educations and our perspectives are our own. The only way to begin to understand each other is to learn to see the situation through the eyes of others. For starters, I think you are a staunch believer in Virtue Ethics, a theory of normative ethics advocated by Aristotle and probably Lincoln as well. There are other theories out there as well, so please do explore. There are consequentialists like @epiphyte78 and also deontologists like Immanuel Kantz.

I believe we can all learn something from this thread as it stands now and in the future. Let's not waste the opportunity!

And please do ask questions. It helps stimulate the discussion!

[Subrosa]

Epiphyte clearly stated in his Green Thumb argument that growing skill was a factor in determining the morality of the act. I am extremely well acquainted with Mr Kant, because I keep my friends close, and my enemies closer.Let's not gloss over the real fact under discussion. The whole debate about whether or not this is ethical can only occur once you accept that it's ok for one person to steal from another.I cannot stress enough how wrong that is.

[WhiteRabbit]

Orchid Board cannot condone any illegal/unlawful acts, whether or not some may claim moral or ethical reasons. If the OP had the property owner's permission, then, all is good - if not, then it's theft. I don't think further discussion is required. Thread is closed.