What defines a legal wrong?

A legal wrong is typically defined as a failure to perform a legal duty that one owes to another party, which can lead to liability or legal repercussions. This can involve actions that violate statutory laws, breach of contract, or failure to uphold responsibilities established by law.

In the context of legal wrongs, the second choice aligns with this definition as it refers specifically to the failure to adhere to a legal obligation, which can result in a civil lawsuit or criminal charge depending on the nature of the duty and the context of the wrong. For example, if a company fails to provide a safe working environment as mandated by employment laws, this would constitute a legal wrong.

The other options involve actions that do not meet the criteria for legal wrongs in the same way. Committing a crime may lead to imprisonment, but not all actions that could be considered wrong from a moral standpoint are necessarily legal wrongs. Making a mistake in a business decision, while potentially harmful, does not inherently constitute a legal wrong unless it violates a specific legal obligation. Negotiating a contract breach is more a discussion of an inappropriate action rather than an outright failure to perform a duty; the breach itself becomes a legal issue when it results in harm or loss to another party.