[HeyLaughingBoy]

I think a problem is that we have to look at shady, ruthless, unethical and illegal actions as different categories, but to many people they are all the same.

Of course, you don't want to leave a trail of bodies in your wake but Life's not a bowl of cherries and taking a Pollyanna approach to business won't get you very far.

[SoftTalker]

Yes, and even just the normal business attitude of "our goal is to make a profit, not solve all the world's social problems" is viewed as "unethical" by many people (most of whom have never run a business).

[portaouflop]

If your business’s goal is only “make money” and not solve any real human problems then it should not exist.

[SoftTalker]

It doesn't have to be the only goal, but if you're not making money you will not be able to achieve anything else. So it's the thing that enables any other goals you might have (and, I might add, it's the main thing that makes it worth the risk, vs. just putting your money in savings bonds or something).

[portaouflop]

Read my post again, of course companies have to make money.

My problem is with those whose __only__ goal is to make money.

[anthuswilliams]

That would exclude approximately 99% of all the businesses that have ever existed (including most of those that claim to have some other, loftier goal)

[HeyLaughingBoy]

What "real human problem" is a coffee shop solving?

[jimbokun]

Giving people a place to buy and drink coffee.