The Greek philosopher Aristotle, writing over two thousand years before Wall Street, called people who engaged in activities which did not contribute to society "parasites." In his latest work, renowned scholar Robert C. Solomon asserts that though capitalism may require capital, it does not require, much less should it be defined by, the parasites it inevitably attracts. Capitalism has succeeded not with brute strength or because it has made people rich, but because it has produced responsible citizens and-however unevenly-prosperous communities. It cannot tolerate a conception of business that focuses solely on income and vulgarity while ignoring traditional virtues of responsibility, community, and integrity. Many feel that there is too much lip-service and not enough understanding of the importance of cooperation and integrity in corporate life. This book rejects the myths and metaphors of war-like competition that cloud business thinking and develops an "Aristotelean" theory of business.
The author's approach emphasizes several core concepts: the corporation as community, the search for excellence, the importance of integrity and sound judgment, as well as a more cooperative and humane vision of business. Solomon stresses the virtues of honesty, trust, fairness, and compassion in the competitive business world, and confronts the problem of "moral mazes" and what he posits as its solution-moral courage.
The Greek philosopher Aristotle, writing over two thousand years before Wall Street, called people who engaged in activities which did not contribute to society "parasites." In his latest work, renowned scholar Robert C. Solomon asserts that though capitalism may require capital, it does not require, much less should it be defined by, the parasites it inevitably attracts. Capitalism has succeeded not with brute strength or because it has made people rich, but because it has produced responsible citizens and-however unevenly-prosperous communities. It cannot tolerate a conception of business that focuses solely on income and vulgarity while ignoring traditional virtues of responsibility, community, and integrity. Many feel that there is too much lip-service and not enough understanding of the importance of cooperation and integrity in corporate life. This book rejects the myths and metaphors of war-like competition that cloud business thinking and develops an "Aristotelean" theory of business.
The author's approach emphasizes several core concepts: the corporation as community, the search for excellence, the importance of integrity and sound judgment, as well as a more cooperative and humane vision of business. Solomon stresses the virtues of honesty, trust, fairness, and compassion in the competitive business world, and confronts the problem of "moral mazes" and what he posits as its solution-moral courage.
Introduction: Can Ethics be Taught?
I. Business Myths and Metaphors: Vices Parading as Virtues
1: Macho Myths and Metaphors: Jungles, Battles, Games
2: Abstract Greed
3: The Myth of the Profit Motive
4: Game Theory as a Model for Business and Business Ethics
5: The End of Cowboy Capitalism
6: Atomic Myths and Metaphors: Individualism and "the
Entrepreneur"
7: Beyond Selfishness: Adam Smith and Limits of the Market
8: Beyond Cost/Benefit Analysis: Utilitarinism Refined
II. An Aristotelian Approach to Business: Framework and Theory
9: Business Ethics: "The Third Wave" and the Problem of Theory
10: The Aristotelian Approach to Business Ethics
11: Business as an Unbounded Practice
12: Aristotelian Metaphors: Corporate Cultures and The Professional
Manager
13: Business as a Profession: People imn Business as
Professionals
14: The Six Parameters of Aristotelian Ethics
The Corporation as Community
In Search of Excellence
The Individual in the Organization
The Meaning of Integrity
Decision-making and Good Judgment
Holism: Beyond Stakeholder Analysis
III. The Heart of the Corporation: Business Virtues and Vices
The Nature of the Virtues
Aristotelian Virtues, Warrior, Moral and Business Virtues
The Basic Business Virtues: Honesty, Dependability, Trust and
Fairness
The Virtues of the Corporate Self: Friendliness, Honor, Loyalty,
Shame
Competition, Caring and Compassion
Justice: The Ultimate Virtue of Corporate Life
Resentment: Corporate Poison
The Charasmatic Virtues: Saints, Heroes, Clowns and Rogues
(Nietzschian Management)
Theories in Practice: Ethics Styles
Moral Mazes and the Problem of Integrity
Epilogue: Philosophers in the Corporation: Apologists or
Subversives?
"An excellent book in business ethics! The critical issues are
dealt with in a clear manner, without any psychobabble."--Vijay
Raja, Atlantic Union College of Business Management
"[T]imely and relevant,...wise and right-handed..."--Business
Ethics Quarterly
"An excellent book on the nature of business as a social practice
which demands certain qualities of character from the people who
participate in it, which means virtually everyone."--Eugene
Donahue, Creighton University
"Outstanding work! We have already adopted it as a text."--Scott
Rae, Talbot School of Theology
"Excellent work! This represents a badly needed paradigmatic shift
in terms of a framework for discussions about ethics in
business."--Kenman L. Wone, Biola University
"Solomon is always reliable."--Robert P. Tucker, Florida Southern
College
"Superb! Comprehensive, accessible, insightful!"--Raymond A.
Belliotti, State University of New York at Fredonia
"Should be widely read by those involved in business."--Long Range
Planning
"Well written and organized. Might make a useful text--especially
in a graduate-level course."--Hush M. Curther, Southwest State
University, Minnesota
"The first truly philosophical business ethics text I have seen. It
is admirable."--Sister Therese A. Roche, College of St.
Elizabeth
"Interesting, new approach."--Manoi Adair, Oklahoma Baptist
University
"Quite honestly, my reaction to this book is one of astonishment
and joy. This is the kind of discussion in 'business ethics' that
is needed. Provides a thorough grounding in the philosophy of
business practice--looking at the whole picture--while at the same
time moving us beyond the old (indeed, odd) dichotomies which pass
(wrongly) for 'common sense.'--Michael Prosch, Villanova
University
"At last! A business ethics text that faces squarely the practical
concerns of business students without compromising on either
philosophical rigor or ethical ideals. It is a natural companion to
a good casebook. Solomon has done business and ethics a great
service."--Nathan Tierney, California Lutheran University
"Very organized, with clever headings."--Ron McManus, Texas
Wesleyan University
"Solomon's writing, as always, is provocative and clear. This is
the best discussion of business ethics from a virtue ethics
standpoint known to me."--David Detmer, Purdue University
Calumet
"This is an ambitious attempt to develop a theory of business
ethics that addresses the concerns of philosophers and social
scientists and also provides guidance to business
practitioners....Deserves a place in any business collection that
strives to be comprehensive and current."--Choice
"I believe 'virtue ethics' will redefine our approach to Business
Ethics. Solomon's [book] is a pioneering work in this direction. I
strongly encourage my students to wrestle with his insights and
suggestions."--Charles M. Horvath, Keene State College
"Deals with a timely and critical issue, given the problems in
corporate America in the 1980s. It is particularly important to
understand the interrelationship between ethics and business and
corporate excellence. It should be read by business scholars,
students, and managers alike."--Michael A. Hitt, Texas A&M
University
"At first sight, the work of Robert Solomon...looks dauntingly
arcane: he claims to base his theory of ethical management on
Aristotle's concept of "virtue." In practice, however, Mr.
Solomon's ideas are accessible to any businessman....It is the kind
of ethical advice many managers have been looking for."--The
Economist
"Without question, this distinguished series has become a valuable
source for leading edge thinking about business ethics. One hears
authoritative voices and encounters unique perspectives across a
varied field of ethical issues, dilemmas, and opportunities facing
business firms today. Practicing managers, management scholars, and
their students will find mature approaches that can bring ethical
substance to workplace experiences and enliven classroom
explorations."--William C. Frederick, University of Pittsburgh (on
the Ruffin Series in Business Ethics)
"A cultivation of personal character. A good addition to your
library."--Ethical Management
"Solomon's style is lively, witty, and accessible to a broad
readership, and the plan of the book is straightforward. He not
only makes a major contribution to Business Ethics, but also
provides a stimulus to the development of so-called virtue ethics
in the heart of ethical theory."--Journal of Business Ethics
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