Slippery slope indeed. But if your wealth comes from a line of crime, then yes, ...

toast0 · 2024-12-05T16:14:14 1733415254

Morally, sure, if you know your wealth is sourced from crime, you likely have a moral obligation to disgorge it.

Practically, that's difficult. If you grew up wealthy because of generational crime that provides life advantages you can't return. At best, you could make sure you direct any inheritance to victims if possible or a suitable charity (and not your family foundation).

Legally, this is not plausible. All sorts of legal principles dictate that lawsuits must be timely (for various values of timely) and estates become unlitigatable not very long after they're closed. There are some cases in the news about crimes in WWII and such, though.

lukan · 2024-12-05T19:00:47 1733425247

It is a very complicated topic.

But the law knows such things in principle, even though usually not individually, but rather collectivly.

Like the native americans get some sort of privilege today. And (some) black americans demand reparations for past slavery.

But where to draw the line indeed. I don't think there is a universal answer.

themaninthedark · 2024-12-05T15:04:57 1733411097

Cool! How far back are we going? What evidence is required?

qup · 2024-12-05T17:43:31 1733420611

I have some neanderthal DNA, and you extincted my people, so let's start settling up

themaninthedark · 2024-12-06T01:46:50 1733449610

Ok but only after I get a large chunk of Eastern Europe. I know I have some Polish/Ukrainian ancestry and they mush have been persecuted since they left for the US.

lotsofpulp · 2024-12-05T16:47:47 1733417267

However far back and whatever evidence needed until it starts affecting us.