[A corporation is] a collection of many individuals united…
![“[A corporation is] a collection of many individuals united into one body, under a special denomination, having perpetual succession under an artificial form, and vested, by policy of the law, with the capacity of acting, in several respects, as an individual.41 This legal fiction, recognizing “a…” quote by Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/e74/jonathan-haidt-1823_corporation_a-corporation-is-a-collection-of-many-in_2256377.jpg)
““[A corporation is] a collection of many individuals united into one body, under a special denomination, having perpetual succession under an artificial form, and vested, by policy of the law, with the capacity of acting, in several respects, as an individual.41 This legal fiction, recognizing “a collection of many individuals” as a new kind of individual, turned out to be a winning formula. It let people place themselves into a new kind of boat within which they could divide labor, suppress free riding, and take on gigantic tasks with the potential for gigantic rewards. Corporations and corporate law helped England pull out ahead of the rest of the world in the early days of the industrial revolution.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Corporations are legal constructs that treat many people as a single entity, enabling coordinated large-scale action and risk sharing.
In simple terms: Corporations let many act as one to achieve big goals.
Key Takeaway
Use collective structures to tackle large projects.
Themes
economics
law
organization
history
innovation
Mood
analytical
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
historical
economic
When to use this quote
- Industrial revolution
- modern startups
- joint ventures
- public policy
- team sports
Key Concepts
Legal fiction
collective action
scale
risk mitigation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do corporate structures affect personal accountability?
- When does collective power become harmful?
A Different Perspective
May overlook individual autonomy and ethical responsibility.