Just wondering, would the Regulators go after you for using enslaved raiders and other bad people in your settlement?

well, if they have it coming then i don't see why anyone would think less of me for it, hell i should be congratulated, i spared their life after all

Many would say that slavery is evil, period. Whether the enslaved are good people or bad people is irrelevant.

This.

Classic "two wrongs don't make a right" scenario.

"He who fights monsters should see to it that he himself does not become a monster."

but if the alternative is death, murder or leaving them to do the same to others then i'd say it is the most moral choice there

Justice ≠ Vengeance

Jail sentence is not the same as enslavement. Perhaps detaining those dark individuals would be a nice alternative. Or you know, death is cool too. Efficient. Space-saving.

I thought you were suppose to be the voice of reason?

I think all the slaves that died trying to escape slavery would disagree with you. If you want a moral solution, then there is this little thing called imprisonment or incarceration.

If they're hostile to you, killing them isn't murder. Enslavement allows them to consume resources, and puts them in a position to escape and cause more damage at a later time. Killing them solves problems regarding resources, safety, and allows someone to take a job and earn their keep. Morally, I'd say that means putting raiders in the ground is the superior choice.

Slavery is an EVIL deed, it does not matter who or what is the slave.

If you can imprison or enslave them, but you choose to kill them instead, then you are probably doing wrong. Killing raiders in justified self-defense will probably be the norm, though.

Forced servitude of enemies who would do you harm is just, provided you have just cause for naming them enemies.

"Slavery" has strong, negative connotations that are difficult to shake, so many people will regard it as evil even when it is not. If we can enslave raiders, we will probably gain negative karma for it.

I hope I can have a band of raiders/slavers that live in my settlement that I can send out to enslave and pillage towns

I view slavery as unethical regardless of who it is done to. Someone quoted Nietzsche earlier; I'd echo that sentiment.

Giving how stupid the karma system is I bet the Regulators would be utterly chill in their righteousness if you enslaved those with negative karma.

EDIT:

Also, these results (so far) compared to the enslaving of sentient androids result makes me want to rub my face against a cheese grater.

Enslaving people is wrong regardless of who it is. You cant use the "he deserved it" to justify immoral actions.

It's a grey area for me, for reasons. I don't want a heated debate but the only options the wasteland has of dealing with criminals is death, incarceration, or slavery. And none of those are good solutions.

I would not enslave Legion, I would instead just kill and eradicate them

TWD had a good example of this where a community of people, enslaved by bandits, broke free and enslaved the bandit leader as revenge. When he was freed he ran out yelling "we're the same, we're the same!" hysterically.

As maker of a slaver mod for FO3 I can only answer this question with a big YES!

Fallout 3's stupid logic;
You can enslave a raider, get bad karma for it then if cannon dictated the raider slave would probablys shove a shank in his owners throat, regardless of consequence

Raiders - ovbiously the best choice for slaves!

I think many enslaved raiders would prefer to be dead than to be slaves...

These two are enough said. Despite what New Vegas' screwed up karma system would have you believe, doing evil to "evil" people does not make you good.

Well they should make it more of a punishment like a massive community service. Make em pay without wasting time with them in jail. Also they would learn some not being ass hole skills and maybe learn some sympathy. And make it so they can get out depending of their crime and their effort.

Enslaving others is wrong. That's why we have prison work farms, prison workshops and similar.