Can someone who works in an industry or for an employer with clear negative impacts on society/the world maintain a clear concience?

Good afternoon,

As someone who is currently still in education for their degree looking at the current (and likely future) economic and societal outlook, it seems like employment in fields that cause/perpetuate negative issues in the world (Big Tech/Military-Industrial Complex, industries contributing to climate change, predatory sales/financial firms) continue to maintain strong employment availability and salaries as time goes on.

However, fields that have a neutral or beneficial impact on society and the world (Medical care, Food service, public infrastructure, humanitarian aid work, environmental research), either don't have enough available positions that people are able to transition into, have worsening working conditions due to poor management or limited resources, or just don't pay a living wage to most who work there.

I've read about the broken window fallacy, and I understand how focusing on personal gain without considering the impacts on the wider picture doesn't make for a better world. But can someone feel justified contributing to the "broken windows" of the world knowing that they weren't presented functional alternative pathways, and try to contribute towards the solution in other ways?

Lol what a weak attempt at a rebuttal. I feel like you didn't even grasp the point.

Had I been alive in the 1940s, guess what? I would be saying the same shit about people doing administrative work for Nazis.

Had I been alive in the 1850s, I would be saying the same shit about people doing administrative work for slavers.

But sure, go with the "you criticize society, yet exist in society. Curious!" argument

"I'm just following orders".
Except nothing bad would happen to you if you didn't.

"Sometimes I think the world would be better off without me. That's why I have to keep living."

I can't. I'm almost 50, and back then I deliberately picked a major that would lead to a career with a neutral or good impact. I make half the money I could have made, I enjoy my job, and I'm not part of the problem (well, or only as much as we have to, living under capitalism.)

I have a friend who worked relatively high in big tobacco. He rationalized that his job is going to exist no matter what, and that if he takes it, he will be able to benefit and do something about it. I don't know what he meant by doing something, but it didn't seem to eat at him. But either way he only worked there for about 2 years before getting recruited somewhere else

Great question the answer is pretty much no.

Either you live with the guilt or you change your moral framework to make it not bad.

I work in IT. Some days are better than others. Framing seems to be key to keeping my psyche intact.

I constantly wrestle with the environmental impact of this field. More so now than ever. Everything that goes into consumer and professional electronics generates a lot of waste, and as a professional, I've had my hands on more systems than the average home user.

I also do not work at any FANG company, nor for anyone in surveillance like Palantir or Flock. Besides, I don't get invited to _those_ parties.

Everyone in IT has contributed to both negative social and environmental impacts in some way. Some, much more than others. AI has thrown gasoline on the fire, but we still have the same problems as before: pointless commutes, e-waste, planned obsolescence, power-hungry software, enriching the rich, and so on.

Meanwhile, (without doxxing myself) I work at a company that helps their customers do good things.

I think that's where I keep my conscience clear for the most part: I've made decisions that place me in a relatively better place, with some sense of karmic balance that tips towards better than it is bad. Telling oneself "it could be worse" certainly seems fragile - and it is - but it is what it is.

I'll add that, in a capitalist system, even the concept of employment is coercive and not 100% voluntary. Also, the way companies proceed in this environment exploits the built-in demand for employment, while exploiting and extracting all kinds of things, both real and virtual. IMO, this puts the most (if not all) of economy on trial for ethical concerns, so we're only left "how (non)ethical is your workplace?"

"There is no ethical consumption under Capitalism" is a useful parallel concept. One can consume at least more ethically by buying in solidarity with, eg, Fairtrade sellers, local sellers, co-ops, or maybe living a vegan lifestyle.

Not to be confused with finding an ethical form of capitalism. It doesn't exist. Any system designed to maximize profit will put any other goals (like human rights) secondary.

I think working in this society is similar. I can choose the more ethical option from the limited options available to me and work to make my life and the lives of people around me better. But I can't find or create a system that is ethical. Even that co-op referenced above probably has suppliers who are less ethical, or they may have to rent from a profit-driven landlord.

I try to focus on small improvements over my baseline rather than thinking anything short of immediate perfection is a failure.

Is "I couldn't find another job because nobody wants to employ a 64-year old and I have bills to pay" changing your moral framework?

Or how about "it's the only job offer I got out of 458 applications and I have 3 kids and a mortgage"?

Being able to make an actual choice is a huge privilege.

I left my industry because it made me question my morals daily. It's not worth the money