Corporations only permit or encourage "back talk" when employees know what not to say or question. You are free to question policy or management decisions; you are not free to question certain organizational goals or the hierarchical structure of the corporation unless you happen to be in a high-level position (which most people will never be in).
That's true in every human organization. If you're constantly questioning our societal decision not to eat other people, you're not going to make any friends.
