Are corporations evil?

Question

I just had a 1 hour talk (which could have been an argument, I don't know) about corporations and stuff like that. He was not clear or straight forward about anything, gave me useless information, repeated stuff over and over, and kept giving me answers that didn't have anything to do with the question. So I came here.

I was told that corporations wouldn't put warning labels and stuff like that on their products if they didn't have to because it would save them money. Is it true that corporations would do this (tobacco and alcohol corporations aside)? Especially the toy ones?
Also, if someone starts smoking and gets addicted, is it their fault? My dad didn't say yes or no and just gave me this info that I already knew.

Answer 1

Corporations are like human beings. Some are evil, some are nice, some are good, bad, etc.

There is however an argument that can be made which says that corporations are susceptible to cutting corners in order to convince stockholders of the company's wealth.

If there are strong controls in place to prevent this kind of activity, a corporation is actually very good for humanity.

Where I have issues with corporations is in their excessive power and influence over society. Because corporation can make loads of cash, they have the spending power to advertise. When they advertise, they can sway customer thinking into buying their products at almost no limit.

Look at those huge distracting billboards, or McDonald's and it's loud yellow M that can be seen from miles away.

Now stop for a second and think about how vivid that symbol is within your brain. Couldn't that capacity in your brain be used to think of something more intellectual?

That's my biggest problem with corporations.

I wish that their power of advertising could be limited. Now, we cannot watch a movie in peace without innundating commercials interrupting us. Look at your mail, how 95% of what your receive is wasting your time. Look how you have to adapt to the corporation because the corporation can afford bulk mail to send information that trespasses into the calm and quiet of your home.

I just think that commercialization should be regulated. Word of mouth should be the most significant form of advertisement. Any compassionate and civilized corporation would adopt that approach in being a successful company.

Because this is not the case, until corporations are regulated, there is this invasive cloud of useless information pollution that prevents humanity from maximizing it's potentials.

Money has too much power in corporations. That is not fair because a corporation is not a voter yet, with it's power of advertising, it can sway public opinion anyhow.

Answer 2

Evil no, caring ? Well that's another issue.
Corporations will voluntarily put warnings on their products if they (or a corp lawyer) deem it worth doing. Usually this means avoiding a lawsuit. That's why car engines have warnings about disconnecting the battery before doing something or do not adjust fan belt while engine is running or do not iron clothes while on body (yeah, some idiot did all those things.)

The government forced cigarette manufactures to put a warning label on packs because for a long time there was no absolute scientific proof but their seemed to be a link. And, for a long time no one could win in a lawsuit against big tobacco until recently. If the cigarette manufactures had put this warning on voluntarily, then they would have been admitting that their product caused cancer, not a good thing to do if you don't want to get sued for killing people.

Remember, corporations don't really exist like you, me or even a tree, cat or dog. They exist only as a legal entity. Corporations are composed of anywhere from 1 to a million people. How the corporation acts towards its customer and employees is dependent on the morals of the people at the top who decide what is right and wrong for the company they run.

Answer 3

Corporations provide millions of jobs in America, and help raise the standard of living for all Americans simply by operating. Many corporations give back to the community. For example, Warren Buffet just pledged $31 billion in stock over 20 years to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Some people might see that as a little bit evil, just a bit. Some companies warning labels may not always be necessary. If it saves money for the company, it may save monay for the consumer. But chances are companies will continue with warning labels in order to prevent harmful lawsuits as well helping to keep an image of protecting the consumer for damage. If a person starts smoking and gets addicted it is their fault. The tobacco company didn't put the cigarette in their mouth and light it. That person that purchased the cigarettes made a decision to begin smoking and is now living with the consequences of it. It is the same thing with any diseases smokers develop. They didn't have to smoke. This is the case for any addiction including alcohol and illegal substances.

Answer 4

Some are good some are bad. The ones that emphasize profits over people are the ones that are deserving of the word "evil". The ones that keep employees regardless of downturns should be commended. After years upon years of layoffs by some corps, for no good reason other then profit building, why wouldn't you think corporations be considered "evil"? "If a profit motive is wrong, then what is the purpose of owning stock? I want the companies whose stock I own to be solely focused on profits. That's why I invest."- CAPOI What if you knew the company that you have stock in laid off 10,000 people just so the stock price jumps up 3 dollars a share? That's what's happening now but it reached a point where that the people who were laid off have no spending power because most haven't found a job to fully replace the one they lost. The market depends on consumption. The layoffs gave the market a quick jolt but will remain flat until people find jobs again. If they can. These WERE the jobs people fell back to after the 70's and 80's. The work force may be in a corner now. Nice to know the market depends on white collar blood money for it's adrenaline rush.

Answer 5

Don't expect clearly defined answers in terms of good or evil or black or white. If you really want to find answers to your questions then you would need expert information in fields of economics, business, law and ethics. The information should be obtained from University study, credible publications, and consultation with seasoned professionals.

I know I'm not answering your questions, but frankly, there's way too much ground to cover, and it's unfair to expect your father to give you clearly defined answers. You need legal advice concerning the structure of corporations and the legal duties governing board of directors and officers, federal regulations concerning consumer products and recent court decisions relating to liability for failure to disclose dangers that were known or should have been known. You need information concerning macro and micro economics and the dynamics between capitalistic and socialistic economic models. You need to study ethics to get a handle on mandatory and voluntary restrictions or actions and how such measures impact parties in both the short and long term.

It's excellent that you are interested in these topics, but Answers cannot provide you with the information you seek. Those who are truly dedicated to resolving these and similar issues spend a lifetime in research and study.

Answer 6

Corporations aren't "evil" exactly, although more times than not they do attract the wrath of those who dislike big business. More times than not, they are simply run by people who enjoy the money they have made in a capitalist society. They sometimes grow greedy and wish to have more profits for their own pocket than for the workers, charities, products, etc. This is why several people, believe that they are "evil" because they try to gain money from the common citizen. Although "evil" is simply a term we use to catogorize things we do not approve of morally.


~Scholar~

Answer 7

wealthy corporations are the product of the money that people exchange in return for the goods they receive. They wouldnt be wealthy without the opposite exchange of wealth in the opposite direction.

Without government regulations, corporations would self regulate or would seek approvals from private approval givers. If they didnt then they would lose business after people realize they are a bad company.

Answer 8

A corporation is a business. They have to make a profit or they can't stay in business. They are not evil. They provide work for people.

Answer 9

wal mart is

Answer 10

yes, they are evil.