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> This is a category error. Companies have an existential incentive to chase profits (and their managers can be sued by the shareholders for doing anything less

by jerrac 6y ago

> This is a category error. Companies have an existential incentive to chase profits (and their managers can be sued by the shareholders for doing anything less). Their incentive to avoid violating laws, morals, and ethics is far lower. Holding firm to a strong sense of ethics and morals is a risky thing to do. Whether you're representing a company, or just acting as an individual. But that risk does not justify NOT holding firm. So, if you run a company, and you're afraid of getting sued by your shareholders for not pursuing profit at the expense of your ethics and morals, I'd suggest finding a new job. Or, just maybe, your shareholders aren't so blinded by greed that they would not support your company doing what is right.

hkeide 6y ago
And the people who don't go and find a new job will replace you in the market place. It's natural selection.
spaced-out 6y ago
>So, if you run a company, and you're afraid of getting sued by your shareholders for not pursuing profit at the expense of your ethics and morals, I'd suggest finding a new job. Maybe this is what happens, and the people who are left in charge at those companies are the ones who don't care?
thephyber 6y ago
I agree that's how things should work, but I agree with a sibling comment that the fitness function of companies right now in the USA doesn't select for the attributes you are describing. I act that way, but I've never worked for any of the most successful companies in my industry. That's probably not a coincidence.
usefulcat 6y ago
> So, if you run a company, and you're afraid of getting sued by your shareholders for not pursuing profit at the expense of your ethics and morals, I'd suggest finding a new job. Who’s to say that’s not exactly what normally happens? In which case it should surprise no one that those who remain are disproportionately lacking in ethics and morals.

by jerrac 6y ago

hkeide 6y ago

And the people who don't go and find a new job will replace you in the market place. It's natural selection.

spaced-out 6y ago

>So, if you run a company, and you're afraid of getting sued by your shareholders for not pursuing profit at the expense of your ethics and morals, I'd suggest finding a new job. Maybe this is what happens, and the people who are left in charge at those companies are the ones who don't care?

thephyber 6y ago

I agree that's how things should work, but I agree with a sibling comment that the fitness function of companies right now in the USA doesn't select for the attributes you are describing. I act that way, but I've never worked for any of the most successful companies in my industry. That's probably not a coincidence.

usefulcat 6y ago

> So, if you run a company, and you're afraid of getting sued by your shareholders for not pursuing profit at the expense of your ethics and morals, I'd suggest finding a new job. Who’s to say that’s not exactly what normally happens? In which case it should surprise no one that those who remain are disproportionately lacking in ethics and morals.