In this article, Stealing is always wrong, the author deals with
the issue whether unpaid music downloading is wrong. He argues that
downloading the music. The purpose of the author writing this article is to inform that downloading unpaid music is wrong. Author is also trying to convince internet downloaders, artist, publisher and software programmer that download music without paying it is wrong.
In this article, the author have showed arguments to support his
view that all stealing can be considered as wrong including unpaid music downloading from the internet. The author delivers his argument in disapproval tone from four aspect of legal, ethical, economic and artistic. The authors includes a legal approach by quoting legal expert opinion that shows unpaid music downloading is illegal. Then, the author show that easier payment could affect unpaid music downloading. The author also point out different ethical perspective on supporting unpaid downloading that counter the economic argument. Lastly, for those who support unpaid music downloading will argue that true artists will have their music heard by others but author refute it stating that this altruism is at expense of another person
The choice of words such as illegal, perpetrators, unethical and
always wrong manifest authors bias that unpaid music downloading from the internet is wrong. He conveys his bias by providing negative views on unpaid downloading from the internet and all the views presented on supporting unpaid downloading music is to complete his arguments and present it more convincing. The author needs to state all the pro and cons of unpaid music downloading from all four aspect which are legal, ethical, economic and artistic. In addition, he uses words and expressions with negative implications when describing unpaid music downloading such as perpetrators and illegal to provoke emotional response. Then the author gives his point relying on many sources including research finding to suggest that most peoples behaviour, when they are given the option to pay or steal, supports the view that downloading for free is wrong as reflected by the easier payment scheme in paragraph 4. The author also provided expert opinion that we can see in paragraph 2 when the legal expert point out that unpaid downloading is illegal. The author also provide personal testimony on the effect of unpaid music downloading to independent and small companies.
The supports provided are related to the argument. As provided
in Paragraph 2, the legal opinion proves that all form of stealing is illegal. This support is relevant as it aligns with issue discussed on unpaid music downloading. Moreover, the research finding is also relevant to the argument in showing the decline in number of unpaid music downloading. Therefore the authors evidence support is relevant to the argument.
The author argument has objectivity supported by facts and clear
evidence. The studies conduct by Ebo, Markham and Malik in 2004 on the effects of ease of payment on willingness to pay. Ethics or ease?. This indicates that the majority of people in the study acknowledge that to download music for free, in effect stealing it, was wrong. The evidence provided by the author is to support his argument that is important to show its relevance. The author also uses the research finding as verifiable support for his opinion.
The author include and refute information that seems to support
the opponents argument. In paragraph 5, the author acknowledge altruism view by Carla. However, the author strengthens the overall argument by showing why the counter-argument appear convincing, but undermines these counter arguments by questioning who is paying the cost of altruism. Thus the author included adequate support and overcome the points that might weaken the case and included completeness in his/her article.
The authors argument is valid and credible. The author has
made appropriate assumptions and presented relevant, objective, and complete support. The author arguments is convincing when stated that piracy of software, video games and music is stealing and makes it clear that all such copying is illegal. Given that there is a legal argument against both home taping and internet downloading, it appears reasonable to assume that both should be considered as wrong. We can say the author succeed in presenting a valid and credible argument.
In conclusion the authors position on the issue is clear and the
author is consistent in providing reasons to support his argument. Author uses expert opinion to support his argument so it will come as more than personal opinion. Moreover, the author carefully identify the opposite argument and explain why such arguments sounds appealing at first but later refute the arguments to fortify his view in order to make it more convincing. Throughout the writing, the author has successfully clarify the nature of his argument by categorising it into legal, moral, economic and altruistic reasons.