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by bko 4151 days ago
I agree that paying debts is deeply engrained as a moral issue. Although I think this is more cultural and is persistent across many cultures, not necessarily something conjured up by lenders. There is a distinction between personal debt and debt tied to a business venture.

How would you feel if your parents passed away with unpaid debt? Although not legally obliged to pay it, many people do [0]. I, personally, would feel a little sadness to know that my parents had unpaid bills. Nor would I abuse the system by taking out large debts on my death bed.

[0] http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/04/business/04dead.html?pagew...

1 comments

> How would you feel if your parents passed away with unpaid debt?

It depends. If they owed a real human being, I would probably pay it. If it was a faceless corporate conglomerate, or a bank that reported millions in profits on the last quarter, I wouldn't bother.