Corporations Quote by Joel Bakan
“As a psychopathic creature, the corporation can neither recognize nor act upon moral reasons to refrain from harming others.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Corporation, Joel Bakan, 2004
Corporations, as legal persons, lack moral agency and thus cannot be held accountable to ethical standards that restrain harmful actions.
In simple terms: Corporations cannot feel moral responsibility.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for stronger corporate accountability.
Themes
ethics
corporate power
social responsibility
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- policy making
- consumer activism
- business ethics education
Key Concepts
Legal personhood
moral agency
Questions to Reflect On
- How can individuals influence corporate behavior?
- What legal changes could enforce moral accountability?
A Different Perspective
Corporate structures can be reformed to embed ethics.
![“I am somewhat influenced by the years that I've spent trying to actually get things done, whether it was reforming education in Arkansas or a survey and Legal Services Corporation board when President [Jimmy ]Carter appointed me and trying to get lawyers for poor people. I have worked in these…” quote by Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6c7/hillary-clinton-51_action_i-am-somewhat-influenced-by-the-years-th_9078.jpg)
