Paper Topic Spring 2008*

"The Myth of the Innocent Civilian" questions the relationship that people have with artificial entities such as governments and corporations. An artificial entity does not spring into existence on its own, has no will or intelligence of its own and cannot be held accountable for "behavior". Only people can reason, act and take responsibility.

In exchange for a variety of benefits, citizens submit to "government" demands which include all manner of taxation, licensing, and even compelled servitude. Great numbers of citizens are even directly employed by government. Yet when confronted with evidence of gross misdeeds committed in the name of government, citizens typically do not see themselves as accountable or responsible in any way.

"Corporations" provide goods and services to patrons, return on investment to stockholders and a livelihood to employees. Yet when confronted with evidence of gross misdeeds committed in the name of "their" corporation, most patrons, stockholders and employees will not see themselves as accountable or responsible in any way.

Assume that a corporation or a government that an individual supports in some manner has unquestionably committed a gross misdeed.  From the standpoint of one of the major philosophers we have studied, discuss the responsibility of the individual for this misdeed. From this same standpoint, what should the individual now do?

* Except for the last paragraph, the forgoing was downloaded on 12.26.2007 from http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2007/08/29/the-myth-of-the-innocent-civilian-audio-booklet/  I have not read or listened to the work referenced and I am not impliedly endorsing it or its conclusions.  JCM