Ethics

If a lot of people are doing it? does it mean such act is ethical? Being a computer teacher I am faced with this dilemma. This is one question that I might not be able to answer (well before actually) as it is really a question of the acceptability of the act to the general public. One example of an act that is being done by a lot of people is utilizing unlicensed software. Many people are using unlicensed software and this problem is not only use of such unlicensed software for personal use but we sometimes see offices, institutions and companies utilize unlicensed software in the performance of their function. So now the question is, if majority, say 99%, in your community is doing it, is the act ethical?

In my own personal opinion such act is not ethical, this is because of the fact that I based my determination of what is ethical or not on the golden rule which is "Do unto others what you want others do unto you." The act of utilizing unlicensed software means that you are using a product of hard-work and thus you should give due recognition to that hard work by paying for the license. How would you like it if other people would be eating the food that you prepared for yourself or for your family exclusively? Or if you have developed an invention that will save mankind from environmental destruction and ultimately you did not get any recognition for it because others who have never lifted a finger took that recognition?

How would you like to be treated? This is the question that was posed by John Maxwell in his blog and I believe this question summarizes ethics, for me.