Of course, the idea that a state, any more than a…
““Of course, the idea that a state, any more than a corporation, commits crimes, is a fiction. Crimes always are committed only by persons. While it is quite proper to employ the fiction of responsibility of a state or corporation for the purpose of imposing a collective liability, it is quite intolerable to let such a legalism become the basis of personal immunity.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Legal responsibility rests on individuals; attributing crimes to abstract entities can create false immunity.
In simple terms: People, not states, commit crimes.
Key Takeaway
Hold individuals accountable, not just institutions.
Themes
law
ethics
responsibility
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- courtrooms
- policy debates
- corporate governance
Key Concepts
Corporate liability
collective guilt
Questions to Reflect On
- Can collective liability ever be just?
- How do we balance corporate and individual blame?
A Different Perspective
Legal fictions may obscure personal accountability.