A "1st World" Ethical Dilemma

[Sunstone]

So you are in, say, Philippines.
You want to get from a to b, a 14? Yr old wants
to take you with his pedal cab.
You gonna take him up on it? Picture yourself.
Now what?

Gods! That's a challenging question! Maybe his
family depends on his earnings. Maybe he's
working himself to the point of injury or harm. I
mean, that's likely -- a pedal cab at 14.

Honestly, Audie, if it were to really happen, I
would most likely give him money, but hire
another pedal cab.

What would you do?

 

[Audie]

Gods! That's a challenging question! Maybe his
family depends on his earnings. Maybe he's
working himself to the point of injury or harm. I
mean, that's likely -- a pedal cab at 14.

Honestly, Audie, if it were to really happen, I
would most likely give him money, but hire
another pedal cab.

What would you do?

What I did was ride with him and then
give him an American 20 doliar bill.
And worry about the ethics ever since.
He said, "salamat po".

 

[Sunstone]

What I did was ride with him and then
give him an American 20 doliar bill.
And worry about the ethics ever since.
He said, "salamat po".

I've noticed you have a strong generous streak in
you. But I try to overlook your weaknesses.

I think, given your size, you did little damage to
his health, and perhaps prevented him from
needing to pedal a much larger person somewhere
while he was busy with you. He would not have
taken a break had you not hired him.

At least he thanked you. Didn't have to, I suppose.

 

[icehorse]

Happy New Year to everyone and thank you all for your thoughtful replies

I'm intrigued by the idea that buying them 2nd hand is ethically "better". I've been letting that roll around in what's left of my brain. It makes some sense, but it also feels like an ethical "get out of jail free" card... hmmm...

 

[Revoltingest]

Happy New Year to everyone and thank you all for your thoughtful replies

I'm intrigued by the idea that buying them 2nd hand is ethically "better". I've been letting that roll around in what's left of my brain. It makes some sense, but it also feels like an ethical "get out of jail free" card... hmmm...

Buying 2nd hand is ethically better cuz you save money.

 

[Audie]

Happy New Year to everyone and thank you all for your thoughtful replies

I'm intrigued by the idea that buying them 2nd hand is ethically "better". I've been letting that roll around in what's left of my brain. It makes some sense, but it also feels like an ethical "get out of jail free" card... hmmm...

Recycling keeps new ones from being made

 

[Revoltingest]

Recycling keeps new ones from being made

Mrs Revolt knows someone who says buying used items
is wrong. If we're rich enuf to buy'm new, then buying
used denies the poor a chance to buy them.