Stealing: Nicodemus's view and Jenner's view

I'm currently reading "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH." I found out so many things that are in the book and are not in the movie. One of them is why Jenner does not like the idea of moving to Thorn Valley.

The following was taken from "Mrs. Frisby and The Rats of NIMH" by Robert C. O'Brien


"But why? Why move? We;ve got a better place to live right now. We've got all the food we want. We've got electricity, and lights, and running water. I can't understand why everybody talks about changing things."
"Because everything we have is stolen."
"That's silly. Is it stealing when farmers take milk from cows, or eggs from chickens? They're just smarter than the cows and chickens, that's all. Well, people are our cows. If we're smart enough, why shouldn't we got food from them?"
"It's not the same. Farmers feed the cows and chickens and take care of them. We don't do anything for what we take. Besides, if we keep it up, we're sure to be found out."

I personally think both of them do have a point. But if this were a debate topic, people would definately go on Nicodemus's side. I would. But I don't think it's impossible to debate on Jenner's opinion. People have been stealing eggs from animals if it were a farm. But when it comes to the sea, it's different. Here's an example. Japanese people have been eating fish and fish eggs. I don't know about the eggs, but I think they haven't been doing anything for the fish when they catch them. In conclusion, Jenner is talking in animal point of view, and Nicodemus is talking in human point of view. We are humans and like I said we would be on Nicodemus's side. But like I said, Jenner does have a point.

What do you think about this argument?

The ethics of the situation are debateable. The Rats, after all, can make a case that humans are to blame for putting them in a situation where they're no longer satisfied living as natural rats. That's the root cause of their desire to have the things that they steal from the humans.

You can also argue that as the humans are making efforts to kill them, they're at war, and any actions are justified.

In the end, I think Nicodemus' strongest argument was the practical one that as the Rats' population grew, they'd inevitably draw attention to themselves. There's really no way around that one. The ethics might be arguable, but the practical implications aren't.

I think Jenner's problem in the end was one of misplaced priorities, which sometimes came across as complacency. I know that sounds funny because he had a little too much ambition to rectify being complacent; even in the book that was true.

I'm not really aure what else to say, though. This topic has been on my mind of late, but it's not something that produces a life0changing revelation as of yet. :?