Collectivism Destroys Business
As a defender of business, whenever I read or hear collectivist claims that the Western ideal of individualism “harms society,” I cringe. Typically, the claimants belong to a group (such as a race, a class, a language minority) the membership of which yields them...
Capitalism: A Dirty Word For College Students
I just finished teaching another business ethics course. As often in my many years of teaching, students were surprised to learn about the moral code of rational egoism, which was unknown to them before. Many embraced it enthusiastically and commented: “We are all...
Profit Maximization: The Moral Purpose of a Business Under Capitalism
To many, profit maximization seems cold, heartless, even exploitative. They consider business immoral and the profit-seeking corporate model to be in need of reform. The advocated reform is for corporations to adopt “social” goals—reducing poverty, protecting the...
Business Needs Freedom and Not a “Social License” to Operate
A “social license to operate” has been widely accepted as something that companies need to gain and maintain, particularly in resource-based industries, such as mining, oil and gas (also pipelines), coal, and forestry. Industry examples indeed seem to suggest that...
“Climate-Change Compensation” From Oil Companies Is Immoral
Oil companies benefit us tremendously by providing a plenty of affordable energy and raw materials for products without which our lives would be shorter, harder, and poorer. The dominant narrative promoted by environmental activist groups—spread by the mainstream...
How To Be Profitable and Moral In 2019
The title of this post takes its cue from columnists and bloggers who offer advice for the coming year at this time, although a little tongue-in-cheek. Many columns and blogs review the past year and make suggestions for making changes for the better in the next. I...
Christmas is About Enjoying Values Not Sacrificing Them
Millions of people have just celebrated Christmas, by decorating their homes, setting up Christmas trees and lights, getting together with their families, exchanging gifts with each other, eating special foods and baking, and enjoying activities from watching movies...
In Praise of Supermarkets (and Capitalism)
“Every time we step through its doors we enter into a battle with our enemy, the supermarket corporation, whose motives are totally opposed to our own. While we hope to do our shopping quickly and efficiently, buying just [what is on our list], the supermarket owners...
