THE ETHICIST TAP : [ A ] 1/2

CORPORATIONS EXIST : To create or distribute products and services. Their leaders may reasonably try, in ways consistent with the law, to shape public policies that affect their enterprises.

Although many of us would like to set more limits on the use of donations to secure influence - it would be nice if our democracy didn't come with a V.I.P. lounge - we must acknowledge that a company and its competitors will pursue their interests by the rules in place.

At the same time, corporate leaders are entitled to speak as citizens, even if the success of their businesses is what gives them a megaphone.

Should we try to punish companies for the speech of their leaders?   

It's complicated. On the one hand, C.E.O's are the faces and voices of their organizations. If an executive's stance offends a significant group of people, a stock dip feels like the natural consequence in a free market.

On the left and the right, people vote with their wallets. Penalizing the company, via lost business, could pressure leaders to weigh their words more carefully.  

That's not inherently unjust - actions have consequences.

On the other hand, holding a company liable for one person's speech blurs the line between individual and collective responsibility. Employees didn't sign off on the C.E.O.'s remarks - why should they bear the brunt?

And people who run corporations are citizens, too, with all the rights of citizens. Nor would we want a turnabout situation in which, say, a fried chicken chain denied you service because you complained about how its birds were raised.

This Publishing continues to Part [2].

The World Students Society thanks Professor Kwame Anthony Appiah, N.Y.U.