Ethical(Unethical)=Unethical

Is it ethical to use unethical behaviour of others? If it is unethical to steal for any reason, is it ethical to ask others to steal for an ethical reason? What about using money that were stolen by somebody else?

MIT is launching a new research initiative to develop a $100 laptop that they could sell to developing nations so that the kids will have laptops. Sounds ethical. But say MIT finds out that a country is constantly abusing human rights, should MIT still sell these laptops? The laptops will be used for the good of the society, but by supporting such governments, MIT would also be acting unethical. In fact, what if the money were “nationalized” by the country? Should MIT knowingly take the money in exchange for the “ethical” laptop?

My answer is no! It is unethical to use unethical behavior of others for any reason!

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