Laptop thief backs up victim's data, mails it to him

"However, it was as if an angel had intercepted his thoughts and words. The angel being the thief."

By this standard, a rapist that wears a condom is to be given an elevated status, and is worthy of praise. This is utterly wrong. To punch someone in the face with a smile is still an assault.

"The world is a harsh, unforgiving place, in which we lose far more than we win. But if this thief would merely open a university program for thieves, then surely the world's karmic balance might be shifted for once in a healthy direction."

This speaks volumes about the author's metaphysical and epistemological positions, many of which I believe are deeply flawed. Ask yourself: is the world always a harsh and forgiving place? What kind of a world does sanctioning a thief create? What is this concept of karma that the author writes about, and how do I know it's even sensible? Or is it a couple of things (one true, and very real thing, and another mystical and non-real thing) conflated in a package-deal?

"Sometimes, though, caring for one's fellow man is beautiful just for its own sake."

And it's easy to show by not stealing a laptop from your injured neighbor in the first place.