Unethical to take a job in oil industry?

[runningbird]

What do you think of working in Oil?

Despite the prospects of renewable energy it is absolutely necessary for people to drill and process oil right now.

I have always felt it unethical but I'm questioning my view.

[magi13]

Please define what you mean as ethical sir? My opinion may be different from yours, at least let us start with a common ground.

[Brutha]

What's your purpose in life?
That's the main question, that should determine the career that you enter.

[runningbird]

My purpose in life is to drill oil.

No, I don't know, I'm working on that.

I just need some money.

Do I really have to explain the negative connotations of the oil industry?

[magi13]

Originally Posted by runningbird

My purpose in life is to drill oil.

No, I don't know, I'm working on that.

I just need some money.

Do I really have to explain the negative connotations of the oil industry?

Sir, you are asking us something, in return I would at least like to understand in order to give you an opinion which you deserve right?

What Brutha means I think is that what do you want in life? What do you want to achieve? Why oil? (This is entirely made up according to my understanding which can be corrected by Brutha)

Now in my point of view, well if it makes you money why not? (I like being practical)

About the negative side of Oil industry? Well if you fell it's such a bad thing then don't do it, but if you have no choice then do it. Still we could give you a better advice, comment or question if you gave us more information.

[RT Wolf]

Ethics is a screwy issue that in over 2000+ years of recorded discussion has not been able to find an "answer". Perhaps it does not afford one, which is my belief, but that's all a different ballgame.

If you're concerned with whether it is unethical to do something, I can assume that you are interested in being an ethical person and doing ethical things. I would further suggest something I made a goal: Do only the most ethical things you can think of that cause you no qualms. If in doubt, don't do it. You can continue to work on your particular ethical system and rework what is ethical or not, but in hte meanwhile, follow what your conscience tells you is right, with no doubts. That means if you even have ot ask the question whether its ethical consciously, it's not a good fit for you.

There are other things you can do for money, but I'd advise against valuing some bits of paper or electronic numbers higher than your conscience.

[runningbird]

I really don't like having internet conversations, I just thought I would post and get a couple ideas bounced back.

But, to elaborate

The oil industry destroys the environment. I personally don't feel great about working in an industry that destroys the environment, but someone does indeed need to do it or else lots of people will die from cold, heat stroke, famine, etc.

[magi13]

Originally Posted by runningbird

I really don't like having internet conversations, I just thought I would post and get a couple ideas bounced back.

But, to elaborate

The oil industry destroys the environment. I personally don't feel great about working in an industry that destroys the environment, but someone does indeed need to do it or else lots of people will die from cold, heat stroke, famine, etc.

chose the lesser of the two evils. Or choose a third option non related at all. :3

[Brutha]

I just need some money.

Because a lot of people work "just for the money" we have a lot of problem in our society.
Ethics are about the reasons you have for a certain behavior.

[lifetimelearner]

Originally Posted by Brutha

Because a lot of people work "just for the money" we have a lot of problem in our society.
.

I am going to agree with that

[magi13]

Supposing, if your children are sick or your wife is in the hospital, will you choose to work on something which will give lower income than oil?

Sometimes we do not have a choice and the only thing we can do is work with what we have.

If ethics is in the way of feeding your family, then be resourceful. Just because it's not nice or neat or sweet it does not mean it is not an option.

Just get in then work then get out. Concentrate on your needs then move on. You don't have to work there forever, just save till you can have enough capital or find a more suitable job which suits your conscience.

Then again like I said, it'll depend on you (the thread starter to choose).

P.s. When I give advice, I'll be practical. Just think about it and decide. You have the power to choose. I am sorry I can't see it as an ethics issue. It gets in the way sometimes. (This is based on the facts you've provided us "The readers.)

[runningbird]

probably can find something better
thanks

[magi13]

Originally Posted by runningbird

probably can find something better
thanks

^^, I hope we made you think.

[funchy]

I suppose it depends on if you're helping them crush competitors, artificially raise prices, fight renewable energy, or lobby for bad energy policy? Or are you a low level worker doing a menial job and your paychecks just happen to come from an oil company?

Why would your purpose in life be to drill oil? If you're just looking for a job for the money, I'm guessing you're working on a drilling rig and not a high-paid oil field scientist or executive? If so, can you use these skills to do a similar job in a better industry? If nothing else, the actual work of drilling is a dirty and dangerous job, so maybe ethics aside, other jobs may be better choices anyway?

[Dan.Linehan]

My ethics tell me to involve myself only with that which I want to see more of in the world.

For that reason, I would not work with the Oil industry.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by runningbird

I have always felt it unethical but I'm questioning my view.

I feel that it is approximately as unethical as driving a car.

[sbdiane]

I earn money from the oil industry. My job is to process data gathered on the effects of oil exploration noise on the bowhead whale migration.

The oil industry is made of people. Some of these people do not like that oil exploration and extraction and processing and everything else destroys the environment. But you know what? Just living in this society you are participating in the oil industry. There is nothing any more unethical about working on a drilling rig than driving your car to the supermarket and buying groceries all made from the products of the oil industry.

So take the good-paying job and divert a small portion of your income or time toward creating alternatives and bettering the environment.

[bluedragon]

I think you can also do good by working in a "bad" industry but getting in a leading position and shifting the practices of that business in the direction you consider better for the world or for most people.

[jetpack]

If you drive a car, use plastic items or buy anything that's shipped from anywhere, you're a user of oil. If you have a problem with oil, you should probably stop using it first (there /are/ many people in the world who do not use any oil).

I had a friend who worked in geography field, and I asked her if she thought of working in the oil industry, they certainly need good people to help locate oil. She said, no, I wouldn't consider it, I'm against it. Against oil I say. Do you not drive a car, or are you a hypocrite?

[MartialDev]

Why not compromise, and get into the olive oil industry? It's heart healthy!

[SimonaRich]

I would not give my second thought on that...

Why do you think it's unethical?

There will always be enough of everything on this planet, and if not, more of things will be created to replace the resources that were consumed.

Law of Abundance that is. Universal laws never fail and if you follow them you will always be in the flow.

So I would not bother worrying about this matter.

[vMike]

Just do what you like and think is good for you, stop letting lame self limiting beliefs, others impose on you, make your choices.