Re: good vs evil

[Bernd Jendrissek]

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In article <x5y8o4k3rh.fsf@lola.goethe.zz> David Kastrup <dak@gnu.org> wrote:
>How does a corporation commit murder?  Care for an example?
[...]
>How does a corporation defraud investors?  Care for an example?
>
>If such deeds are committed, they are committed by individuals, and
>they are accountable for their actions.

Yes, but corporations do provide a large degree of blurring of the
responsibility.  And if you can't single out one or a group of
conspirators to murder, you can't prosecute.

"Murder": finding out that the mine shaft is full of radon, and refusing
to install extractor fans.  Dumping toxic waste in rivers, from which
people drink, who then die.  Okay, *murder* requires *intent* to kill,
but you'd still have manslaughter.

Fraud: publishing misleading or downright false annual financial
reports.

Yes, you possibly can nail an individual, or go all the way up the
hierarchy (I just did what I was told to do) until you get to the CEO.
But then the CEO can often somewhat credibly claim, "I gave no such
instruction" - you get to "understood" job requirements with no records
to produce as evidence.

No evidence => can't prosecute.

- -- 
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