Item — HN Reader

"Do the right thing" defined as “– follow the law, act honorably, and treat each other with respect,” just doesn't feel the same.

"Don't Be Evil" appeals to a force above the law, sometimes the law is evil (Nazi Germany).

"Do the right thing," implies there is a single right thing which is woefully out of touch with the vast array of choices we have each day that fall all along the moral spectrum. It's cliche; I have trouble not immediately writing it off.

3 comments

No, that's "do the lawful thing".

"Do the right thing" falls under ethics.

Maybe there is supposed to be an implied, "... for stockholders", at the end ...

Then it's filed under "objectivism".

also - do the right thing for whom?

For the shareholders, I imagine.

Yes, 'do good things' is much closer to a true antithesis of 'don't be evil.' Especially with the singular subject.

'Do the right thing,' with its legal implications, almost sounds like, 'we told you to do the right thing, so if you're in trouble, it's your ass on the line.'