J
Jas0n
Guest
My answer would most certainly be that only individuals can be considered ethical actors, basically because ethical propositions require the context of consciousness, a trait possessed only by individuals.
Generally speaking, I'd say that the appropriate deterrents to a bigoted business practice are awareness of policy and adherence to principle, these being deterrents that only the individual consumer could provide. Customers need to be aware of the policies of the firms they frequent, and treat their dollar like a vote on those policies every time they shop. This is not an uncommon practice in any case - for example, lots of people refuse to patronize Wal Mart because they abhor their business practices.
Obviously, discrimination based on race or religion is pretty silly. But it's a silliness that does not really hurt anyone in and of itself. It's my position that using the government bludgeon to beat it out of non-violent people is counterproductive and counterintuitive in a system which alleges to promote individual rights.
Generally speaking, I'd say that the appropriate deterrents to a bigoted business practice are awareness of policy and adherence to principle, these being deterrents that only the individual consumer could provide. Customers need to be aware of the policies of the firms they frequent, and treat their dollar like a vote on those policies every time they shop. This is not an uncommon practice in any case - for example, lots of people refuse to patronize Wal Mart because they abhor their business practices.
Obviously, discrimination based on race or religion is pretty silly. But it's a silliness that does not really hurt anyone in and of itself. It's my position that using the government bludgeon to beat it out of non-violent people is counterproductive and counterintuitive in a system which alleges to promote individual rights.