2 ms·
It is of course not a defensible position to say that all corporations only do things for profit (especially as it has not only to do with intent, but intent of
by ravitation 5y ago
It is of course not a defensible position to say that all corporations only do things for profit (especially as it has not only to do with intent, but intent of an organization); even if it were true in all but a single case. Since that's what you've staked out your argument against, there's not much to discuss here.
That profit maximization is not legally obligated (or even "desirable") is not a particularly compelling counterpoint, many things are done that are both legally forbidden and undesirable (of course "desirable" for who is another discussion). Additionally, your Tim Cook quote, which I assume was your attempt at disproof by counterexample, is not particularly compelling either, primarily because it's simply a quote (especially considering there is abundant anecdotal evidence that corporations have the ability to do things for superficial intent other than profit, and many examples where that superficial intent is more defensible).
Also, what you read as "doh, that's what companies do (and must do)," I read as "it's naive to assume a for-profit company would prioritize anything over profit by choice." The second (but also the first) implies the necessity of a discussion about "the legal/regulatory framework within which the firm operates." They also both imply that expecting firms to simply "refrain" is naive, even if it superficially occurs.