Progressive Commentators Are Dangerously Normalizing Criminal Behavior Through Moral Relativism
Source: Thomas Chatterton Williams. "Theft Is Now Progressive Chic - The Atlantic." April 23, 2026. www.theatlantic.com
The Gist
The author argues that some progressive commentators are dangerously encouraging people to steal and break laws because rich people and corporations also break rules. He warns this thinking could lead from shoplifting to accepting violence as justified.
Conclusion
Some left-wing commentators are undermining social order by promoting a dangerous moral relativism that justifies criminal behavior based on perceived elite wrongdoing
Premises
- Tolentino and Piker openly advocate for and normalize theft from corporations, treating it as morally justified
- They justify criminal behavior by claiming that since elites violate the social contract, ordinary people can ignore rules as they see fit
- Their reasoning creates a slippery slope from petty theft to endorsing violence, as evidenced by their casual treatment of assassination
- This represents a rejection of fundamental moral principles like Kant's categorical imperative that have underpinned civilized society
- Their influence through major platforms spreads this dangerous moral framework to millions of followers
Assumptions
- Moral principles should be universal rather than contingent on others' behavior
- Social order depends on widespread adherence to shared moral and legal standards
- Elite wrongdoing does not justify abandoning moral principles entirely
- Public intellectuals have a responsibility not to promote harmful ideas
- There is a meaningful distinction between legitimate protest and criminal behavior