Ethics

According to consequentialism, is it less immoral to steal from a multi-billion corporation like Walmart than it is to steal from a corner grocery store?

Comments

Not really, since the theft affects the thief as well as the immediate victim of the theft. Walmart's profits will not be much affected by an individual minor theft, whereas a small shopkeeper might be affected in a more major way. Since I am harming someone much more in stealing from the little guy I may be harming my moral character much more, and making it more likely for me to steal in general in the future. On the other hand, the idea that Walmart will not be much affected may encourage me to widen my circle of victims to include those who would be harmed, since it would weaken my disposition not to steal at all. General welfare is perhaps dependent on people in general not stealing so anything that encourages theft is undesirable from a consequentialist point of view.

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