[hedonistbot]

> but none of us gets a free pass from morality, not even in business

What? That's news to me. What about the entire defence industry? What about all the politicians that take a cushy job in the companies they helped during their time in office and who can be directly held accountable by the electorate? And why should anyone question the Saudis when they just signed a multi billion dollar weapon deal with the US government. Your statement sounds very naive.

[eikenberry]

So you are saying you don't have any use for the idea of morality. Luckily most people don't think that way and think being good is a desirable trait.

[notheguyouthink]

> So you are saying you don't have any use for the idea of morality.

To a degree I agree with this statement though. Morality in politics and corporations seems to be purely a tool for those without morality. That is to say, "X would never do that, why do we need laws for it?"

As far as I'm concerned, morality is for a person, unique and without power. If any (meaningful, I guess) power is obtained, such as in companies and politicians, checks and balances need to be in place to prevent abuse, corruption, etc.

We seriously need vast and in depth auditing in politics, because morality is long failed the world.

[devdad]

The checks and balances are constructed from ideas about ethics. You can not have one without the other.

[notheguyouthink]

Of course - but why would we trust politicians to have the ethics/morality to construct their own checks and balances?

My point is that politicians cannot be relied upon to have morality. Checks and balances are needed to ensure even those without morals adhere to some sane laws.

[jacobush]

Name checks out :)

[clairity]

yes, you should be upset at those things. that's exactly what i'm talking about. don't just accept unethical behavior as fait acccompli. say something about it. let your voice be heard, by the people involved, as well as the people around you. particularly when it involves institutions like corporations and governments that people like to hide behind.

[PhasmaFelis]

I honestly can't tell if you're being ironic, or claiming that two wrongs make a right.

[TeMPOraL]

I think they have the correct understanding of the is/ought dichotomy. You absolutely shouldn't get a free pass from morality. It doesn't change the fact that, most of the time, you absolutely do.

To the list of examples of people getting a free pass from morality, I'd add the entire advertising industry, and quite a lot of stuff done in journalism. And many small business owners.