Ethics in this hobby.....

Bochiman

Question:

If one takes the definition of ethics to be:

the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc

then couldn't collectors AND dealers both be ethical but have different thoughts/outcomes in the same situations?

Just curious as I watch the collector mentality sometimes intersect with the dealers and yet, there are times the two seem quite opposed, and each is strong in their opinions. So, if collectors are deemed 1 particular group and dealers are deemed a different group, and each group thinks the same about a situation in their own group, isn't it possible that both are being ethical, within their own groupings?

LotsoLuck

Maybe two different agenda's. But I would think both sides feel "true" in their beliefs. JMO

Fairlaneman

"isn't it possible that both are being ethical, within their own groupings?"

Yes as long as the majority of the group considers the action taken ethical.

Is pre-selling ethical if you end up not being able to deliver?

Ken

Walmann

The more serious friction between collectors and dealers come from behavior that is usually considered unethical from the very same group the offender is part.

ajia

Is there ever a 'wrong' in an opinion (thoughts)?
Maybe to the other side, but we need to understand opinions are never 'wrong'.

Outcomes, not sure.....I would like an example of an "outcome" where one side thought it was ethical & the other did not.
OH, and where the outcome was NOT based on an opinion on something like 'toning'.

1Mike1

Ethics rely heavily on honesty without adding duress on another individual when they disagree with your version of ethics. Honesty relies heavily on compromise from everyone involved to admit their true view on any given issue. Compromise relies heavily on everyone involved to feel dissatisfied in the end.

Steve27

"If one takes the definition of ethics to be:

the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc"


I would never use that definition, ethics is doing the right thing, because it's the right thing to do.

jmcu12

Ethics, and morals, without the rule of law are flexible and subjective.




edited for spelling.

mozeppa

besides...its always been us against them!

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>"isn't it possible that both are being ethical, within their own groupings?"

Yes as long as the majority of the group considers the action taken ethical.

Is pre-selling ethical if you end up not being able to deliver?

Ken >>



As long as the pre-buyer doesn't incur financial loss I see nothing unethical about t.

CoinHusker

Maybe the trouble isn't in

<< <i>the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc >>

but in differing perceptions and expectations as they pertain to what a collector or dealer thinks he is getting. The devil is in the details.

PerryHall

Is this anything like "Honor among thieves"?

Res

<< <i>Is there ever a 'wrong' in an opinion (thoughts)?
Maybe to the other side, but we need to understand opinions are never 'wrong'.

Outcomes, not sure.....I would like an example of an "outcome" where one side thought it was ethical & the other did not.
OH, and where the outcome was NOT based on an opinion on something like 'toning'. >>



I don't know if you meant this the way it came out, but there are a lot of wrong opinions out there. Just think about it.

ajia

<< Is there ever a 'wrong' in an opinion (thoughts)?
Maybe to the other side, but we need to understand opinions are never 'wrong'.

Outcomes, not sure.....I would like an example of an "outcome" where one side thought it was ethical & the other did not.
OH, and where the outcome was NOT based on an opinion on something like 'toning'. >>

I don't know if you meant this the way it came out, but there are a lot of wrong opinions out there. Just think about it.

Maybe I did not think this out well enough, but I was basing my answer on this question......."So, if collectors are deemed 1 particular group and dealers are deemed a different group, and each group thinks the same about a situation in their own group, isn't it possible that both are being ethical, within their own groupings?"

In other words, we're not talking about individuals, but a consensus of a rather large group.

As an example, eBay and the new rule changes.
By some of the replies here, I presume that most of the replies were from sellers (sorry if I'm wrong) who made comments that they might as well give the items away to buyers, and next thing you know they'll soon have to pay buyers to take their items!
I, as a buyer (seldom seller) thought that any protection for the buyer is a good thing.
Who's opinion is wrong?

I was not trying to delve into the medical field, where opinions can be wrong, and with very bad consequences.
Or the legal field, or any other area....just sellers & buyers, as a group.

Sorry, I should have made that clear.

YaHa

No Ethics in coin collecting. Everyone for themselves.. Do your homework, enter a transaction and if it works out for both parties the deal is done, if not, you have learned about the other person and then move on.. Simple, too many people that think they know more than others.. It only takes a few hours and some research to know as much as the next guy..

Again "NO ETHICS" in a hobby..

ricko

Ethics, a subject I have studied, both in business and college, are very fluid. They differ between cultures, and even sectors of countries. Ethics are determined by popular opinion and then 'defined' by ethicists. Behavior, which is what ethics are really about, when within the law, is further curtailed by 'ethics'. For example, as a rambunctious youth, fighting was an occasional thing - however, it was deemed 'necessary' to fight 'fair'. These terms were defined, of course, by the local population - and usually motivated by fear of having specific things 'done to you' and wishing to avoid the pain. In reality, in adulthood, physical confrontation demands you do everything to win - or you may die (or be horribly disfigured or disabled). There is no 'fair' in survival. That being said, in general, society will ostracize those deemed to be 'unethical' and in some cases, those individuals will be prosecuted or persecuted. All in the opinion of what is 'fair'. Cheers, RickO

au58

Generally speaking, the answer to the question is yes and both groups could be acting ethically.

The problem occurs when "rules of conduct" is distorted to the point where it becomes "it must be OK because everyone else is doing it".

Wall Street is a good example.

pennyannie

Ethics- not when money is involved. There is a larger group of honest than dishonest in the coin collecting world. That can be said for most professions. Here you have avid collectors verse businessmen, the 2 is not a great recipe for totally happiness with each other. There is not a line set in stone for all to follow.

ksteelheader

To a lot of people ethics equates to: The way I do it is right, the way everyone else does it is wrong.

pakasmom

<< <i>compromise relies heavily on everyone involved to feel dissatisfied in the end >>

ElKevvo

<< "isn't it possible that both are being ethical, within their own groupings?" Yes as long as the majority of the group considers the action taken ethical. Is pre-selling ethical if you end up not being able to deliver? Ken >> As long as the pre-buyer doesn't incur financial loss I see nothing unethical about t.

If financial loss is the only thing involved, sure...but there is reputation, disappointment on the part of the buyer, other lost buying opportunities on the part of the buyer, etc.

K