Law, ethics, and divergent rhetoric

This response to Professor Hasnas recasts the apparent divergence between the legal and ethical obligations of managers in light of the rhetorical claims and counterclaims that accompany the interaction between regulators and the regulated. it is argued that this divergence is more apparent than real, and that the convincing but often empty rhetorical statements that accompany reforms should be seen in context and largely disregarded. This rhetoric is designed to claim integrity, and reclaim legitimacy with the hope that "burdensome" reforms will be minimized.