Quote:
Originally Posted by nekokami
In your mind, is it morally necessary to compensate someone for their labor when you take advantage of that labor, assuming they have not voluntarily donated that labor to you?
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No.
Someone might spend a lot of time and money making their front garden beautiful.
They haven't done that work for anyone but themselves; but that doesn't mean passers-by are obliged to pay for the privilege of admiring the efforts of their labour - which enrich their lives to some extent.
If I asked them to come and work on my garden, they'd be entitled to reimbursement for the inconvenience the work would entail.
If I asked for a cutting, I should be prepared to pay for the work and the (slight) impairment caused to their garden as a result.
But if a seed blows across the fence, and I end up with a copy of one of their beautiful plants, I don't think I should be made to pay for it (there was no inconvenience or cost to them), nor should I have to destroy it (pointless) - I'd feel no moral qualms about letting it grow and flower (adding beauty to the world).
If they resent the fact other people might get windblown seeds for free - they could put up fences, or cover their flowerbeds, or take whatever measures they feel necessary to deprive others of the fruits of their labour. But if those measures end up besmirching the neighbourhood (cutting out the light to other gardens, looking hideous etc.) - then others equally have their right to voice objections to the consequences to them of such methods.