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Re:Google backs gay marriage by bdr on Sunday September 28, 2008 @03:51AM (#317497)
And my point is that they aren't doing this to maximize the public good under some moral calculus. Google has nothing to do with AIDS orphans in Africa.
Re:Google backs gay marriage by _xajm on Sunday September 28, 2008 @03:09PM (#317763)
It's very unpopular to do "moral calculus" - generally only economists will really do it. For a great presentation on prioritizing solutions or "moral calculus" as you call it, see: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/bjorn_lomborg_sets_global...

If Google has nothing to do with AIDS orphans in Africa - that's their choice. Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Bono, etc would normally have "nothing to do with AIDS orphans in Africa", yet they have chosen to.

Re:Google backs gay marriage by unalone on Sunday September 28, 2008 @04:58PM (#317828)
You're being pretty rude, dissing Google for not doing "enough" good.

They're a corporation. They make money offering us products that we like. They've made a very GOOD set of products, and I still use several daily. That's the end of my relationship with them. If they're supporting gay marriage, that's great of them, I'm proud of them, but it doesn't affect my using their product. They are not obligated to do anything more, and your getting snotty about their not doing something OBLIGATED is pretty awful and self-righteous.

Gates and Buffett and Bono are doing good stuff. Be happy for them. Don't use them to denounce other companies.

Re:Google backs gay marriage by DabAsteroid on Monday September 29, 2008 @08:45AM (#318296)
A "moral calculus" is not something that one "does". Dictionary definition of calculus:

a system or arrangement of intricate or interrelated parts <the calculus of forces in world affairs — Martin Mayer>

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A moral calculus is a moral system. The moral calculus is the moral system.