I want to highlight a piece of our conversation on the hierarchy of morals from yesterday (see “Is there a hierarchy of morals?”). I asked if we can be responsible for associating with people who do immoral things. In the example yesterday I asked if we are responsible for the death of a Jew killed by a Nazi soldier because we were afraid to lie so the Jew could remain hidden. This is a situation that we are unlikely to face.

BUT are we responsible for the unjust labor practices of companies from which we purchase. If a major shoes company or a major technology company uses child labor in China to create the things we purchase do we participate in their evil by buying their product? Are we guilty in any way?

Let’s take it further: If you are against a war in which your government is involved do you indirectly participate in it by paying taxes knowing the money may be used to fund the war?

If so, how can we avoid participating in corporate evil? If not, why not?