Are Rich People Less Moral?

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Posted by Soulskill on Monday February 27, 2012 @10:25AM from the not-begging-the-question-at-all dept.

sciencehabit writes "New research suggests that the upper classes are more likely to behave dishonorably than those lower on the economic spectrum. The rich are more likely to cheat, steal, and even disobey traffic laws than those with less money and power (abstract). Curiously, in one experiment, Prius drivers also behaved badly, regardless of their wealth."

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Yes by Ranger · 2012-02-27 10:26 · Score: 5, Funny

But only because they don't interact with peasants.

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"You'll get nothing, and you'll like it!"
1. Re:Yes by ackthpt · 2012-02-27 10:36 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  But only because they don't interact with peasants.
  Spoken like a true Howell.
  I think they're differently moral, they don't want to think about problems that are beneath them and therefore it's OK to trample a few hands every day.
  
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  A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
2. Re:Yes by Opportunist · 2012-02-27 11:04 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Poor people commit crimes, rich people commit laws.
  
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  We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
3. Re:Yes by ackthpt · 2012-02-27 11:09 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Poor people commit crimes, rich people commit laws.
  Golden Rule -- He who has the gold makes the rules.
  Usually rules about getting more gold and keeping it
  Plus a little into research on getting a camel through the eye of a needle, so far they're successful, excepting the camel is quite dead after the process.
  
  --
  
  A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
4. Re:Yes by ackthpt · 2012-02-27 11:10 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  You keep saying that word.
  Gilligan, get more coconuts and when you're done with that build me a set of golf clubs and a golf course. There's a good lad.
  
  --
  
  A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
5. Re:Yes by hondo77 · 2012-02-27 11:23 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Neither of those guys were on the island.
  
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  I live ze unknown. I love ze unknown. I am ze unknown.
6. Re:Yes by mooingyak · 2012-02-27 16:01 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  You've left quite a bit to work with but I'll focus on this:
  
  Most people think they're "above average" drivers. Any trucker will tell you how few driver actually are above average, and it has less to do with reflexes and more to do with courtesy.
  10 people take a test. They score:
  100
  98
  96
  96
  96
  94
  91
  90
  88
  15
  The average there is 86.4. Remarkably, almost everyone scored above average.
  
  --
  William of Ockham had no beard. The most likely explanation is that it was chewed off by squirrels every morning.
Selective evolution by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-27 10:27 · Score: 5, Funny

Those who lie, cheat, steal, and ignore any law they can get away with are more likely to strike it rich. Also, prius drivers are douchebags.
Re:Sorta by Volante3192 · 2012-02-27 10:38 · Score: 1, Funny

The Koch Brothers, Michael Bloomberg and Sheldon Adelson are all billionaires too.
Maybe it's the $35 billion mark?...
Re:Money doesn't make people immoral. by iamwahoo2 · 2012-02-27 10:58 · Score: 4, Funny

They should have just watched the movie "Trading Places"
Re:Wealth is Not Produced by Excess of Charity... by Kylon99 · 2012-02-27 13:15 · Score: 3, Funny

Actually, fitting a camel through a real eye of a needle isn't impossible, technically speaking, and no redefinition is required.
I mean, it may involve changing the camel's... uh.. 'shape'... into most likely a very fine slurry, but still, it's technically possible.
Ah, but perhaps rich people weren't comfortable with the idea that they needed to be reduced to a fine red slurry and decided to come up with an alternative interpretation. One which would allow them to at least be looked upon without grimacing in revulsion. I shall think upon this further...
Re:Wealth is Not Produced by Excess of Charity... by Capsaicin · 2012-02-27 13:40 · Score: 3, Funny

I didn't know they had TV back in Timothy's time.
Obviously Timothy was making a prophesy: If we don't abandon our greedy ways, the day will come when all humanity is plagued by miniseries.

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Better to be despised for too anxious apprehensions, than ruined by too confident a security. --Edmund Burke
Re:Wealth is Not Produced by Excess of Charity... by deathguppie · 2012-02-27 14:28 · Score: 4, Funny

OMFG!! Not miniseries.. anything but that!!

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once more into the breach
Re:Wealth is Not Produced by Excess of Charity... by bratwiz · 2012-02-27 20:09 · Score: 5, Funny

What they meant was the Camel TOE was the gateway to heaven. Not really sure how the back door aspect comes into all this. However, this is the likely origin for the parable about walking a mile for a camel. And, presumably, a rich man could afford to do it in someone else's shoes. It may have also had some bearing as to whether or not it was one hump or two...