Ethics of Illegally Downloading Music

Illegally downloading music? Wheres the ethics in this practice? Millions and millions of people daily (including me) download music illegally off the internet, but is there an ethical presence in their mind?

Since this practice is so abundant and seems to be what is rational/good for each individual, then what is considered ethical? We make choices between competing moral principals and this issue shows a constant act of reasoning - its free! Aristotle's ethical philosophies are relevant as good character, reasoning, and moral virtues are present. This brings forth the dealing with morals or the principles of personal morality. Most people would find that their personal morality in this issue is not of a major concern. It is a voluntary act that currently does not effect their wallets.

If Aristotle presented this issue through the accordance with rules or standards for right conduct or practice then perceptions would most likely change. This type of view point would mostly relate to the unethical dilemma of hospitals advertising.

From a categorical imperative approach, the looking-glass will help us see the other side. Yes there is an issue with the act of downloading tracks illegally, buy why? Who is it effecting? This view point helps us consider the companies and artists that we are effecting. If this issues continues to grow with no solution, how will the artists be able to keep making these tracks if there is no profit? In hindsight there would be no tracks to download if the artists can no longer produce them.

The principle of utility has a great impact on this issue also. What is the greatest good for the greatest number of people? Lets imagine that suddenly no one could download a single song illegally and ethically the problem was fixed. Would the artists really benefit from this? Since word-of-mouth is mostly used to sell music, where would the word spread from if the majority of the people that used to spread that word didn't have in their possession the songs anymore. In result the advertising of the song slows and so could the sales. Whether or not what is considered "Right" is done, doesn't mean everything will turn out for the better.

In conclusion our society should possess more of an ethical process then just right or wrong. We should consider who it effects and how, then weight that against our ethical and moral principles. Our societal web is vast and thus so should be our decision making process.