有人认为，公司有责任促进所在社会的福祉和环境。也有人认为，公司唯一的责任就是，在不违反法律的前提下多赚钱。
可供参考老题库152. "The only responsibility of corporate executives, provided they stay within the law, is to make as much money as possible for their companies."
公司的经营者们唯一的责任就是在法律规定范围之内为他们的公司赚尽可能多的钱。
In several respects this position has considerable merit; yet it ignores certain compelling arguments for imposing on businesses additional obligations to the society in which they operate.
1. On the one hand are convincing arguments that profit maximization within the bounds of the law should be a business executive's sole responsibility. First, imposing on businesses additional duties to society in which they operate can, paradoxically, harm that society.
2. Secondly, by affirming that profit maximization within legal bounds is the most ethical behavior possible for business, more private enterprises and individuals will be encouraged enter the marketplace in the quest of profits.
3. On the other hand are compelling arguments for holding business executives to certain responsibilities in addition to profit maximization and to compliance with the letter of law.
1． 为公司赚钱的确是corporate executives的responsibility之一，因为一个要发展下去是离不开钱的（给员工发工资需要钱，为公司作宣传打广告要钱，开发新产品新技术要钱，国家经济的发展也需要各个企业能够有盈利。比如WAL-MART的盈利带来了就业，也给国家带来了税收，这个税收可以是更多人获益。
2． 但是，有时会放弃眼前的利益，将大笔资金投入长期项目，for the long run。这是为了一个公司能够长久的发展下去。比如，很多大公司都会投入大量的人力和财力进行新产品的研发
3． 同时，赚钱不是唯一responsibility， 对企业自身来说，give employees motives, 给员工提供良好的工作环境，为员工塑造融洽的人际关系氛围，给予员工发展和成长的机会。【这里引用赫茨伯格的双因素激励理论】对与社会来说，一个公司属于社会的一部分，所以除了赚钱，corporate executives 还有责任回报社会，做一些慈善事业【charity undertaking】取之于民，用之于民。这样不仅可以树立公司良好的社会形象，还可以帮助需要帮助的人。而且也体现社会对弱势群体的关注。
企业使用了一部分社会资源，如：污染、有限的能源、人力资本，有责任为社会承担责任。如：帮助治理污染、开发先进的节能设备。
范文：
Should the only responsibility of a business executive be to maximize business profits, within the bounds of the law? In several respects this position has considerable merit; yet it ignores certain compelling arguments for imposing on businesses additional obligations to the society in which they operate.
On the one hand are two convincing arguments that profit maximization within the bounds of the law should be a business executive's sole responsibility. First, imposing on businesses additional duties to the society in which they operate can, paradoxically, harm that society. Compliance with higher ethical standards than the law requires--m such areas as environmental impact and workplace conditions--adds to business expenses and lowers immediate profits. In turn, lower profits can prevent the socially conscious business from creating more jobs, and from keeping its prices low and the quality of its products and services high. Thus ifbusinesses go further than their legal duties in serving their communities the end result might be a net disservice to those communities.
Secondly, by affirming that profit maximization within legal bounds is the most ethical behavior possible for business, we encourage private enterprise, and more individuals enter the marketplace in the quest of profits. The inevitable result of increased competition is lower prices and better products, both of which serve the interests of consumers. Moreover, since maximizing profits enhances the wealth of a company's stakeholders, broad participation in private enterprise raises the wealth of a nation, expands its economy, and raises its overall standard of living and quality of life.
On the other hand are three compelling arguments for holding business executives to certain responsibilities m addition to profit maximization and to compliance with the letter of the law. First, a growing percentage of businesses are related to technology, and haws often lag behind advances in technology. As a result, new technology-based products and services might pose potential harm to consumers even though they conform to current laws. For example, Intemet commerce is still largely unregulated because our lawmakers are slow to react to the paradigm shift from brick-and-mortar commerce to e-commerce. As a result, unethical marketing practices, privacy invasion, and violations of intellectual-property rights are going unchecked for lack of regulations that would clearly prohibit them.
Secondly, since a nation's laws do not extend beyond its borders, compliance with those laws does not prevent a business from doing harm elsewhere. Consider, for example, the trend among U.S. businesses in exploiting workers in countries where labor laws are virtuaUy non-existent in order to avoid the costs of complying with U.S. labor laws.
Thirdly, a philosophical argument can be made that every business enters into an implied social contract with the community that permits it to do business, and that this social contract, although not legally enforceable, places a moral duty on the business to refrain from acting in ways that will harm that community.
In sum, I agree with the statement insofar as in seeking to maximize profits a business serves not only itself but also its employees, customers, and the overall economy. Yet today's rapidly changing business environment and increasing globalization call for certain affirmative obligations beyond the pursuit of profit and mere compliance with enforceable rules and regulations. Moreover, in the final analysis any business is indebted to the society in which it operates for its very existence, and thus has a moral duty, regardless of any legal obligations, to pay that debt.
Orignal From: Some people believe that corporations have a responsibility to promote the well-being of the societies and environments in which they operate. Others believe that the only responsibility of corporations, provided they operate within the law, is to make as much money as possible
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