Question

Can I get your opinion(s) on this? thanks in advance

Many of us have at one point in time installed unlicensed software, downloaded music from illegal distribution sites (Napster, etc.), or enjoyed "pirated" cable or satellite television.

While most of us know that such actions are illegal, why do we find little or nothing wrong with them? Have you ever been in a situation that resulted in an ethical dilemma for you or someone else? Explain the circumstances and how you or the other individuals involved decided to handle the situation.

Answer 1

In my opinion, because pirated material is so easily accessible over the internet and because we remain anonymous as viewers, the guilt attached to performing an illegal task is significantly reduced. The bandwagon effect, which is psychological phenomenon in which people do something primarily because other people are doing it, also comes to play as it is a widely practiced act. I once went to watch a movie in a theatre and saw someone recording the end tire movie on their phone. This was a situation where the source of piracy was being practiced right in front of my eyes. Although I had to urge to speak up and ask that man to stop recording the movie,I eventually kept my silence over the issue. This was because it appeared to me that nobody else was interested in intervening in it and therefore his recording may not be such an issue after all.