evil is as evil does
Google's choice of motto is flawed. It should be "don't do evil". That would explicitly encourage employees to examine the likely consequences of their actions.
Instead, it's "don't be evil". Who, under ordinary circumstances, ever experiences himself as evil? "Don't be evil" may appear to be a commitment to corporate ethics, but it has no content whatsoever. In a sense, it provides permission to do absolutely anything to anyone for any reason.
I'm not saying that Google is evil, mind you. Far from it. In fact, I'm glad that they began paying attention to the problem of evil in a corporate context so early in their existence. But they might have hired a philosopher or three to help.
Instead, it's "don't be evil". Who, under ordinary circumstances, ever experiences himself as evil? "Don't be evil" may appear to be a commitment to corporate ethics, but it has no content whatsoever. In a sense, it provides permission to do absolutely anything to anyone for any reason.
I'm not saying that Google is evil, mind you. Far from it. In fact, I'm glad that they began paying attention to the problem of evil in a corporate context so early in their existence. But they might have hired a philosopher or three to help.