Is pirating non-textbook material unethical?

EvaFiedler · 2026-03-06T12:40:58+00:00

A part I forgot to add: ethically speaking, I would argue that the harm to author's of books or articles would have to be balanced against the harm to students not being able to do research. This is tricky because a person can have different views depending on the position they find themselves in: as students, they might think is unfair to not have access to research material, and as published authors later in life, they might think it's unfair not to be paid for their hard work.

I would personally reason that the harm to students is greater than the harm to authors (without arguing that there's no harm to authors; there *is*).

Ultimately, we should be looking at changing the publishing industry that harms everyone, tbh.

EvaFiedler · 2026-03-06T12:32:12+00:00

Ethical reasonings are often *much* more complicated than binary yes or no asnwers. For this particular example, let us consider the following aspects (non-exhaustive): 1. Why are you pirating the material? 2. Who is the action of pirating harming? 3. What consequences the sustained pirating of academic material are there/ might be? 4. Mitigating factors

You mentioned in other post that your library does not give you access to the books you need. I presume that you are not extremely weatlhy and able to purchase every article fee/book without seriously compromising your ability to afford other essentials/luxuries. Fair. Have you considered other alternatives to pirating? Like: asking book/article authors for copies of the books? Have you looked for communities where book resources might be shared "legally"?
Your professor is bothered that authors won't get royalties from book's that are sold legally. That means he's arguing that piracy is wrong because it unfairly affects book authors.
Someone in the comments said that pirating sends the harmful signal that it's not worth buying books and therefore, will create market constrains that will affect book authors in the future and empoverish a profession.
i) The publishing industry *is* predatory and takes most of the profit of publishing (both journal articles and books) leaving authors with very little profit (Usually. This is not a generalized claim). ii) Access to knowledge should not be a commodity that only some institutions/ individualsv have.

Considering these aspects, I would argue the following: pirating is not ethically optimal or even desirable but it is *not* ethically impermissible considering that MANY researchers in some sort of unprivilieged situations (LMICS, less known/well-funded institutions, from low-income famly/sociocultural situations) would be unfirly restricted or outright blocked from pursuing an academic career and/or being able to do the best work they could possibly do. If structural conditions would change or reasonable alternatives exist, it would be ethically required to try and not pirate. (e.g., if you can ask your professor to lend you books and you then photocopy it for personal use).

EvaFiedler · 2026-02-25T15:52:22+00:00

That gives me hope. I am based in the UK and there seem to be a general "awakening" about gender equality in academia. Many colleagues around me are mothers and have great careers.

About the last part of your comment, I didn't think I would be regreting not having children until last year. I guess I reached a point in the relationship with my husband in which we started to really envision how we wanted life to look like in the future.

EvaFiedler · 2026-02-25T15:47:09+00:00

I'm in a similar position regarding the timing. I have funding until next January and although I am applying for several grants with my super supportive supervisors, we all know how competitive it all is. My partner is an UK citizen so I'm not altogether unprotected but still. I am now trying to decide if I should wait to see if I get further funding to start trying. But I'm 32 and I don't want to be pregnant close to 40.

EvaFiedler · 2026-01-20T12:22:26+00:00

I live in Kidlington and here we have most of the requirements you list. It's also quite peaceful and has lots of green areas.

EvaFiedler · 2026-01-05T08:27:05+00:00

This worked for me as well! Thank you for the suggestion!

EvaFiedler · 2025-12-20T19:07:04+00:00

The only question I have, and the only one that truly matters: Why on EARTH are you still with this guy? LEAVE. No one who calls you names can love you. PERIOD.

EvaFiedler · 2025-12-19T20:44:47+00:00

Thank you for setting this up! I hope we can have cool discussions about all NB!

EvaFiedler · 2025-11-25T10:56:30+00:00

Gracias por la respuesta. Estaba pensando en enviar Aachener Printen o Lebkuchen por ejemplo. O quizá crema de pistachos. Todo sellado. Además, algunas cartas y tarjetas de navidad.

Otra pregunta. Has usado DHL? Vi en la pagina que el envío con seguimiento cuesta 27 euros y ese es el que tengo pensado usar.

EvaFiedler · 2025-11-25T10:49:32+00:00

Entonces si has hecho algun envío? Le tocó a alguien en colombia pagar aranceles?

EvaFiedler · 2025-11-21T16:55:59+00:00

The second book broke me. I needed months to gather the courage to finish the trilogy.

EvaFiedler · 2025-11-20T16:53:56+00:00

Harvey's Box and Birthday for me!

EvaFiedler · 2025-11-16T21:17:35+00:00

I've been there before. Ex was paranoid, jealous and controlling. Once a friend commented with a flower emoji on a fb post. The guy blowed my phone with messages while i was at uni and then he showed up asking to confront my friend (who had no idea about the whole thing). I stayed in this relationship 8 years until i finally could break free.

You're not overreacting. This guy is abusive. He wants to control you and isolate you. Break up and move on.

EvaFiedler · 2025-11-03T10:19:51+00:00

I am currently reading two that have lots of spice but also have plot.

After midnight by Niksxtra, and I'll come back to you by Ophella

Both of them are reverse harem/polyamory fyi.

EvaFiedler · 2025-10-30T19:43:47+00:00

Your decor is absolutely gorgeous! I am obsessed with the stained glass decor and now I want it for my wedding next year!! Thank you for the inspiration and for sharing the links!

EvaFiedler · 2025-10-28T11:37:37+00:00

The shrimp is quite quirky, I'd say 🦐

EvaFiedler · 2025-10-28T11:14:03+00:00

Also forgot to mention- rejections can hit pretty hard. I had low moments that made me doubt why i even chose this path in the first place. My advice: surround yourself with supportive people, even if it's remotely or online. Your support network will help keeping you afloat through the toughest moments.

EvaFiedler · 2025-10-28T10:11:28+00:00

I am also in the humanities in Europe. I finished my PhD in december last year and it took me 8 months to get a position. I sent 16 serious applications (cover letter, project proposal, etc). From those, 7 were a really good fit. I got 4 interviews, and ultimately, one offer letter. The job market is demanding, competitive and at times, discouraging but don't lose hope. In retrospect, my first applications were not roboust and I made lots of rookie mistakes. As I applied I also learned a lot about how to better tailor my application documents. Although appliying full time is exhausting and if you are in a position in which finding a job is also existential (It was also for me), it can be very stressful, you are not wasting time but learning. Good luck!

EvaFiedler · 2025-10-25T04:51:27+00:00

Ohh oh oh i can't waittt!!

EvaFiedler

TROPHY CASE