They delegate and divide the work of discovery, employing specialized investigators to attack the Unknown. In certain areas of speculative inquiry, they use Occam's Razor and a laissez-faire tradition of tolerance, especially in regard to cosmology and sexual preference. Alert readers will no doubt understand that most entrepreneurs fall into one or another category of skullduggery. Bums aim at artistic achievement. Scoundrels want wealth.
Pirates crave something else, typically revenge or retribution.
To avenge a wrong is the whole purpose of law. In this respect, skullduggery has no limp-wristed substitute. You can't defeat tyranny by whining about it . Another thing that bums, scoundrels and pirates have in common is their lack of compassion. If you earn their respect, they will watch your back and defend you in every conceivable way, like blood brothers in spirit.