He defined the ideals that people share about how people ought to behave a "categorical imperative" - a transcendent concept of "rightness of action." No one would want to be taken advantage of the way Countrywide did, and under no circumstances did they themselves believe their actions were "right."

Egoism or self-interest ethics may explain the Countrywide rationale, after all, they were acting to advance own interests, over all else. Although some conduct is "right" when it advances personal interests, Countrywide's motive was actual "greed" because greed includes "excess" -- demanding more than one is entitled to. Egoism assumes that there is no "entitlement," others also have interests, and interests can and should compete. No one is "more deserving" than another. This also is Adam Smith's view of the market: buyers and suppliers with opposing interests (buyers want the lowest price and suppliers want the highest price) seek a transaction,...
[ View Full Essay]