Theft is a very forced metaphor for software piracy

[Slimebeast]

Katilian said:

Slimebeast said:

I'd still say that murder is wrong (from the 'outside observer' perspective). I guess this is the example which makes you believe in absolute morals, because most people would still instinctively reply that murder is wrong even if 100% of people thought it is right - the 100% of people in favor of murder just don't know better.

This is much like morals in politics work. Politicians believe they have higher standards and don't let the majority of the people simply decide what to do. Every opinion is not equally valid, whatever you hear someone claim in their hypcrisy.

But, how are you basing your arguments btw? You aren't suggesting that moral issues are only up to a majority vote, do you? Because all other arguments would then be pointless.

And no, moral issues aren't just up to a majority vote (though society is definitely a major factor). Your original comment was along the lines of "piracy = stealing, because calling stealing shows how immoral it is". I'm suggesting that piracy isn't as immoral (or perhaps it is even moral) as what is associated with the word stealing, to the general public/society, because in my experience, most people pirate significantly more than they steal (whether it be a service or tangible object), thus using the word steal is still inappropriate (both in definition and morallity).

Well, that depends on how you define theft/stealing. Words can have broad definitions. The key word here if we are gonna pick something from the moral realm of terminology would be theft/stealing in my opinion. Or you know of a better synonym?