Ethics of where things are purchased?

[Zooey]

So there is a book I would like to have for a research project. It is on a serious subject–child abuse. The problem is, that it is only available from the source, which self-publishes a book on how to get away with child abuse.
What are my options here? I really want to see the actual words they use, for the article I am writing, but it turns my stomach to think of giving them my money.

Is it OK, if I am actually trying to help expose these people? Or I am I too close to the line here??

Help!!!

 

[michaelmas]

Get the ISBN and see if it is used on Half.com or Amazon.com. Go to the library and have them inter library loan it for you. The book has to be in some library and your local library will find it for you.

You bring up a good question, how should we buy things from morally wrong places of business? Should we buy things made in china since the support abortion? Should we shop at Wal-Mart even though the buy from China? Should we support business that promote anti-catholic beliefs?

Interesting questions that I have no answer 2.

 

[nickybr38]

How is a book like that legal?

That would be like a; How to get away with murder? book…

 

[freethinker83]

How is a book like that legal?

That would be like a; How to get away with murder? book…

Can I interest you in a copy of “How to willingly give up your first Amendment Rights” book?

 

[Leegal]

How is a book like that legal?

That would be like a; How to get away with murder? book…

My thought exactly. Aside from his question of ethics, it may actually illegal to possess or trade in such a book. The OP may wind up with more trouble than they bargained for.

I think they can do the research without this book.

 

[nickybr38]

Can I interest you in a copy of “How to willingly give up your first Amendment Rights” book?

I’m not American.

Some things in this country ARE illegal. If the action is illegal why should a book that details how to get away with the illegal action be legal? That makes no sense.

Child porn is illegal. Why should a book that teaches one how to steal children for the purpose of making your own child pornography be legal?

Murder is illegal. Why should a book that teaches one how to successfully get away with murder be legal?

First Amendment Rights has a limit I’d suspect, although not being American I don’t know.

 

[Leegal]

Can I interest you in a copy of “How to willingly give up your first Amendment Rights” book?

There are limitations. All rights come with concurrent responsibilities and rights can and are limited.

I would caution against purchasing such a book. Of course it’s self-published – Simon & Schuster are not publishing this book and finding it on display in Barnes & Noble.

That should tell the OP enough about why he needs not to purchase this book. And stay off that site before the door bell rings.

 

[freethinker83]

I’m not American.

Some things in this country ARE illegal. If the action is illegal why should a book that details how to get away with the illegal action be legal? That makes no sense.

Child porn is illegal. Why should a book that teaches one how to steal children for the purpose of making your own child pornography be legal?

Murder is illegal. Why should a book that teaches one how to successfully get away with murder be legal?

First Amendment Rights has a limit I’d suspect, although not being American I don’t know.

I didn’t realize you weren’t American, so maybe it doesn’t apply to you.

I defend absolute free speech, I don’t think any of your examples should be illegal.

If you got into actual child porn (not a book about it) that would be different because it involves a minor.

 

[Garyjohn2]

This is the world’s largest library catalog. It searches libraries all over the world!
worldcat.org/

Put in the title, and it will see if its available near you. Some libraries will do inter-library loans and ship the book to your local library. Talk to your librarian to find out more.

 

[nickybr38]

I didn’t realize you weren’t American, so maybe it doesn’t apply to you.

I defend absolute free speech, I don’t think any of your examples should be illegal.

If you got into actual child porn (not a book about it) that would be different because it involves a minor.

I believe there should be limits. Free speech without limits is like anarchy, not government.

I’m not sure what your government has laid out but I know the Canadian Charter of Rights basically spells out freedom of speech, press, etc. but it specifics that this must be within reasonable limits. I would think this sort of book would fall outside those reasonable limits.

I’d be curious to know if this sort of book actually IS legal in the country of its origin…

 

[Zooey]

First, let me say that, when there is an ethical dilemma, CAF is the place to argue it out.

I’m not American.

Some things in this country ARE illegal. If the action is illegal why should a book that details how to get away with the illegal action be legal? That makes no sense.

Child porn is illegal. Why should a book that teaches one how to steal children for the purpose of making your own child pornography be legal?

Murder is illegal. Why should a book that teaches one how to successfully get away with murder be legal?

First Amendment Rights has a limit I’d suspect, although not being American I don’t know.

See, this is what I thought, too. And God knows, I don’t want to possess anything that helps anyone hurt another human being.
But apparently, the right of free expression sometimes trumps all. And even I, the great first amendment absolutist am absolutely appalled. I believe that it should be illegal. And yet…
"freethinker83:

Can I interest you in a copy of “How to willingly give up your first Amendment Rights” book?

This is the world’s largest library catalog. It searches libraries all over the world!
worldcat.org/

Put in the title, and it will see if its available near you. Some libraries will do inter-library loans and ship the book to your local library. Talk to your librarian to find out more.

Now THAT is a truly good idea!!

And no, I am** not** going to buy the [self-censored] thing.

 

[Zooey]

I believe there should be limits. Free speech without limits is like anarchy, not government.

I’m not sure what your government has laid out but I know the Canadian Charter of Rights basically spells out freedom of speech, press, etc. but it specifics that this must be within reasonable limits. I would think this sort of book would fall outside those reasonable limits.

I’d be curious to know if this sort of book actually IS legal in the country of its origin…

Its legal to own it in Canada. It is illegal to use it (obviously), & it appears to be legal to buy it in either USA or Canada. (Checked with a friend; she assures me that Canada is stricter than USA on this).
But as noted, it could be used against the owner in court. (Which I think is a good thing). Its just frustrating to feel passionately that this evil needs to be exposed & not know how to do it.

 

[Langdell]

Under current U.S. First Amendment law, you can put into print pretty much whatever you want, aside from things that are slanderous, invade someone’s right to privacy, or reveal state secrets. Telling people how to make bombs, get away with murder, etc., is not illegal. Child porn in words is also legal, however morally revolting it may be.

Child porn photos are illegal because crimes are committed in order to create them, not because of the content per se.

Of course, not all will agree that this is what First Amendment law should be, but it’s where it is at present.

 

[freethinker83]

I believe there should be limits. Free speech without limits is like anarchy, not government.

I’m not sure what your government has laid out but I know the Canadian Charter of Rights basically spells out freedom of speech, press, etc. but it specifics that this must be within reasonable limits. I would think this sort of book would fall outside those reasonable limits.

I’d be curious to know if this sort of book actually IS legal in the country of its origin…

Limitations on free speech are dangerous. Period. Once you start limiting it where does it end? It is a very slippery slope.

 

[John21652]

So there is a book I would like to have for a research project. It is on a serious subject–child abuse. The problem is, that it is only available from the source, which self-publishes a book on how to get away with child abuse.
What are my options here? I really want to see the actual words they use, for the article I am writing, but it turns my stomach to think of giving them my money.

Is it OK, if I am actually trying to help expose these people? Or I am I too close to the line here??

Help!!!

You obviously recognise that this book is evil. You seem to think it could be used for the purpetuation of evil.

There is no need to expose ourself to its contents.

Just report it to the authorities.

 

[freethinker83]

You obviously recognise that this book is evil. You seem to think it could be used for the purpetuation of evil.

There is no need to expose ourself to its contents.

Just report it to the authorities.

What authorities? Don’t read it and move on, it’s as simple as that.

 

[John21652]

What authorities? Don’t read it and move on, it’s as simple as that.

Well, if the book is about child abuse and how to get away with it, isn’t it then promoting child abuse? Aren’t there any child protection sections in police forces?

 

[freethinker83]

Well, if the book is about child abuse and how to get away with it, isn’t it then promoting child abuse? Aren’t there any child protection sections in police forces?

If a book is about how to grow marijuana, doesn’t it promote marijuana use? Aren’t there drug enforcement teams in police forces?

If a book is about how to implement communism shouldn’t that be illegal since we do not have that form of government?

If a fictional story is about a murderer who gets away doesn’t that promote murder? Doesn’t it give ideas on how to get away with it?

If a book is about how nationalized healthcare is a scam but the government is promoting it, shouldn’t that be banned?

Do you see what I mean? It is dangerous, hands down.

 

[John21652]

If a book is about how to grow marijuana, doesn’t it promote marijuana use? Aren’t there drug enforcement teams in police forces?

If a book is about how to implement communism shouldn’t that be illegal since we do not have that form of government?

If a fictional story is about a murderer who gets away doesn’t that promote murder? Doesn’t it give ideas on how to get away with it?

If a book is about how nationalized healthcare is a scam but the government is promoting it, shouldn’t that be banned?

Do you see what I mean? It is dangerous, hands down.

Your anaologies are ridiculous.

Child abuse is a crime in all western societies.
It takes many forms and some are insidious, like child sexual molestation, child pornography and even child slavery.

I take it you assume that a book about child abuse omits sexual molestation of children and perhaps child pornaography?

Like I said, no need to buy it and read it; report it to the authorities and let them deal with it.

 

[freethinker83]

I take it you assume that a book about child abuse omits sexual molestation of children and perhaps child pornaography?

Like I said, no need to buy it and read it; report it to the authorities and let them deal with it.

If there is child pornagraphy in the book, yes, let them deal with it. If it is just writing