MSNBC.com asks some ethicists: in a city without rules, is looting OK?

“Obviously stealing things like TV sets or beer or any items that aren’t crucial for survival, that’s a nonstarter,” said Mark Bernstein, a professor of applied ethics at Purdue University. “There would be no ethicist in the country that would think that’s proper behavior.”

But he quickly made an analogy: If the only pharmacy nearby were closed, and it had a drug your mother needed to stay alive, breaking into the pharmacy would be the right thing to do."

“If it’s truly for survival — and I emphasize that, really for your children or wife — I think you have an obligation to your family that is at least as strong as the respect you have to pay other property owners,” he said.

It's pretty silly to steal a television set or toasters or other appliances in this situation anyway, since there is no electricity, large items would slow down evacuation from the area and those items don't meet basic needs.

So far the only actual "looter" photographs I've seen have been of people finding food and clothing. The ethicists are seeming to have some trouble with the looting of clothing and footwear.

I don't understand those reservations though. These people have been wading through hip-deep water for days. They probably didn't have a chance to pack changes of clothes. Even in places where the flooding isn't hip-deep, it's still likely over their ankles. People aren't taking shoes and apparel to make a fashion statement; they're taking these things as a matter of hygiene and personal health.

Stealing guns and major appliances, definitely not kosher. But I don't begrudge anyone for taking the food, clothing, medication or personal hygience products they need to survive under these circumstances. Most of those perishable items would have been long spoiled anyway by the time the original and rightful owner is able to come back to the city. Better somebody should get to use the potentially life-saving swag.