Conclusion. From Utilitarianism point of view, theftis not always bad
From Utilitarianism point of view, theft is not always bad. There could be moral (ethical) theft.
We could easily imagine ethical theft by Strong Version of Utilitarianism – a starving beggar steals the piece of bread from rich shopkeeper.
We could imagine ethical theft by Weak Version of Utilitarianism – informational products which may be copied with zero costs and would not be bought otherwise.
(BTW, media producers often overstate their losses – they assume that all unlicensed users would buy their products by market price.)
Storchevoy M. A. Corporate Social Responsibility. 2013 Topic 2 (1) Normative Analysis: Utilitarianism
The firm sells fake vitamins (harmless but useless)
Case 1. Consumers get aware that they are cheated and receive the negative utility (negative emotions).
Weak version: One party wins, other party loses – these states is NON-COMPARABLE.
Case 2. The consumers do not get aware and are happy about these vitamins. Strong version. The company got profit, the consumers got satisfaction. IMPROVEMENT Weak version. Both parties win, it is Pareto IMPROVEMENT.
Case 3. Consumers’ health deteriorates from vitamin deficiency. Strong version. The firms gains, consumers lose, but we can not definitely say which gain or loss is large. INDEFINITE. Weak version. One party wins, other party loses – these states is NON-COMPARABLE.
Storchevoy M. A. Corporate Social Responsibility. 2013
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Asymmetry of information
Topic 2 (1) Normative Analysis: Utilitarianism
