Question

but ethical problems arise when these loyalties conflict—as often happens. should we protect a criminal relative? should an employee stay with a failing corporation, or an employer keep his workers on the payroll even as profits fall? these dilemmas are not resolved by the easy answer that we should always stick to our principles; each of the conflicting loyalties is, after all, a statement of principle. loyalty to friends, for example, is a good principle, but it can create problems. in 1950 during the cold war, secretary of state dean acheson said he refused to \turn my back\ on alger hiss, even when his friend was revealed to be a soviet spy. is such loyalty always comendable? the author is suggesting that disloyalty may not be a bad thing if being disloyal is done in private only. being disloyal keeps others from being harmed. being disloyal does not break the law. the countrys leaders support disloyalty.

Explanation:

The text discusses ethical dilemmas of loyalty. Disloyalty might be seen as not bad if it prevents harm to others. For example, loyalty to a criminal - relative or a failing corporation could have negative consequences. Avoiding such loyalty in order to protect others from harm could be a positive act.

Answer:

being disloyal keeps others from being harmed.