Just how evil are your Corps?, Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Outline Switch to: Standard Switch to: Linear+

[kanislatrans]

I got a chance,between changing diapers and not sleeping,to sit down with a couple of players from my younger group and one of the things they had problems grasping was how a mega could be so damn powerful and as corrupt as SR corps seem to be. They are young enough(bless their innocent little hearts) and although they have a suspicion of the powers that be, were debating the idea that corporations could be powerful and also be a force for good in the world.

We talked about that for an hour or so and although I think some of my paranoia and cynicism may have sunk in, they still believe the corp line about "for the good of all"

However, I just came across this article and have emailed it to them with the question "If modern companies that are supposed to be helping people are capable of this type behavior, How do you expect a company hundreds of time large to behave any better"
marketing the disease and selling the cure


And so, fellow DS'ers, I will put the same question to you...

[sabs]

You do not need religion to have a set of moral guidelines.

Somethings should be self evident, even if you don't believe in the Great Spaghetti Monster.

[Neraph]

Great Spaghetti Monster.

I actually find that extremely offensive. Please refrain from using such a slanderous term, if you would.

Some would disagree, and that would start the fight we're all hoping to avoid.

/agree. I only mentioned it as a word of caution - one that apparently wasn't heeded too closely.

Back to the original discussion - it really, really does matter what definition of evil you are using. If it's subjective, what are the subjects; and if it's objective, what object are you measuring it by?

It's interesting that even under objective morality morality is subjective, based on which set of "objects" you're judging by. For example: the laws in the United States versus the laws in Germany as pertaining to alcohol and minors. You can say that a 20 year old buying alcohol is legal, but that statement is not true in the United States (by and large - there are a couple loopholes, I know).

EDIT: In the same way evil is defined differently, even objectively, if you're using the Judeo-Christian law, the Hindu law, the Bhuddist law, or the Athiest law.

[Nifft]

I actually find that extremely offensive. Please refrain from using such a slanderous term, if you would.

Indeed. The noodly appendage of the great and holy Flying Spaghetti Monster can be of any size He should choose it to be.

Back to the original discussion - it really, really does matter what definition of evil you are using. If it's subjective, what are the subjects; and if it's objective, what object are you measuring it by?

In my case, I'd like to be able to distinguish between the immoral and the amoral.

Amoral behavior may or may not be bad. Skimping on some stupid safety procedures, not bothering to check if there are batteries in the failsafe detonation device, and not bothering to double-check the measurements on your drilling platform? That's amoral negligence. You are taking a risk with other people's well-being, but you're not doing anything to actively hurt them, you just don't care about them enough to do your job right.

Immoral behavior -- which I'm going to call evil -- is stuff like blood magic. You know you will need to kill someone every time you use your special power. You're okay with this. You will be actively harming someone, for a boost in your personal power, and you will be doing it repeatedly.

If there were a railgun powered by babies, that would be evil too.

However, a railgun fired at a criminal that misses, and instead vaporizes an orphanage, that's merely amoral.