Whispers

A question for you...

I am walking alone in the countrey on a bright summers day, miles from anywhere. No-one is about and i spot a purse on the ground. Naturally I pick it up and look inside. To my amazement, I find a stack of rolled £50 notes. What should I do? I have the name and address of the owner? Should I return the purse or keep it, and why?

Does the answer differ, if I really need the money to support my own family, or if I am wealthy and have no need for it?

Just hoping for some of your thoughts?..

Thanks =)

keyser_soze

It is not rightfully yours...How is this a question?

BioBeing

What would you want somebody to do if it was your purse they found?

Salmon of Doubt

I personally would want them to return it to me, but if they took some of the money for themselves I wouldn't blame them, and I wouldn't mind that much. Of course the more money they kept the more I would be pissed off, but I think it would be very surprising if I got the purse back with all the money in it.

If someone did give it back with all the money in it, I would be inclined to give them some of the money anyway as a reward for being honest.

Whispers

Sorry, I did not fully explain. I was thinking about morality and how we all share common beliefs and thoughts on right and wrong. As the majority of you dont believe in a god, I was wondering if you would hand the purse back and if so why? Despite this question appearing naieve, I wonder why you think it is right to hand it back? Based on what?

Ps I am not stirring here, just reflecting aloud

keyser_soze

based on a community morality...

The individual is benefited most when he works not only for himself, but for the good of the group. It is our nature(for the most part) to attempt to give a "hand" to our neighbor.

As an aside, my morality is very objective, and I believe that my rights end where the next guys' begin. Thus, by taking what is not rightfully mine, I would abridge his/hers. That to me is immoral.

meritocrat

Technically you may be stealing if you found a purse full of money. Albeit, you are in the middle of nowhere, so who is there to notice or perceive an instance of theft? Personally I would take the money, even if it did belong to someone else.

keyser_soze

I tend to go the opposite way, I want nothing that I did not earn. As I said, and objectivist bent....And it's not about technicalities. I am surprised that you would percieve it this way, as it is against the fiber of most free thinkers to want what is not theirs. Generally, the only ones wanting equality of religion are those who do not want ANYBODY to suffer under it's confines. Peculiar.

meritocrat

Why is religion of consequence here?

I feel it is 'right' to take the money as there is no one is the vicinity to claim it.

dangin

If you are too dumb to hold on to your cash, you don't deserve it. Finders keepers.