Corporations are simply fulfilling their obligations to shareholders by maximizing profits.

FORBES: American Families Are Bearing the Tax Burden

Maximizing profits for your shareholders and investors is -- as a primary goal is fine and appropriate in that world.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

His former buddy, the CEO, however has outgrown that phase and believes that a corporation survives by maximizing its profits for shareholders.

FORBES: Hollywood Does Business: 'The Company Men'

To be sure, a well-respected school of thought remains that companies must first serve their shareholders: By maximizing the returns of investors, corporations do more good for their broader societies.

FORBES: Utilities Aren't Just Blowing Smoke -- They are Generating Goodwill

Instead, investment banks should serve their shareholders and partners by maximizing profits and compensation while explicitly stating that no government aid will ever be taken should private investment dry up.

FORBES: Political Economy

Paradoxically, focusing on maximizing shareholder value ends up making less money for shareholders, because it leads firms to do things, like the recent JPMorgan gambles that actually destroy shareholder value.

FORBES: Eight Things That Must Be Done About JPMorganChase