Business Ethics Education and the Pragmatic Pursuit of the Good (Advances in Business Ethics Research Book 6)

This book is an extended argument for the critical importance which justice and ethical leadership should have in business ethics education. The book examines the history of ideas and purposes in education, the contemporary role of business schools, and the social foundations of moral education to conclude that the pragmatic pursuit of the good must be a central aim of business strategy. To meet the challenges of facing society today, the masters of business must be moral craftsmen in a just and democratic private property economy that serves the common good. The author grounds this vision for business leadership in the centrality of systems of exchange in human society, in generating prosperity and providing for the general welfare. Business ethics education has focused primarily on moral formation of individual leaders and managers in the context of ethical codes, organizational culture, and legal compliance. Important as this approach is, it fails to generate a sufficient level of business responsibility to satisfy legitimate social concerns regarding the use of natural resources, environmental sustainability, reasonable limitation of systemic risk in capital markets, and fair allocation of goods and services. If the social purpose of business is not intentionally embraced and diligently pursued, the economy may enrich a few but impoverish the society, its resources, and its democracy. Hence this book argues for a new vision of business ethics that is grounded in public accountability of business operations and outcomes for the common good, as a matter of justice. "This book is an extended argument for the critical importance which justice and ethical leadership should have in business ethics education. The book examines the history of ideas and purposes in education, the contemporary role of business schools, and the social foundations of moral education to conclude that the pragmatic pursuit of the good must be a central aim of business strategy. To meet the challenges facing society today, the masters of business must be moral craftsmen in a just and democratic private property economy that serves the common good. The author grounds this vision for business leadership in the centrality of systems of exchange in human society, in generating prosperity and providing for the general welfare. Business ethics education has focused primarily on moral formation of individual leaders and managers in the context of ethical codes, organizational culture, and legal compliance. Important as this approach is, it fails to generate a sufficient level of business responsibility to satisfy legitimate social concerns regarding the use of natural resources, environmental sustainability, reasonable limitation of systemic risk in capital markets, and fair allocation of goods and services. If the social purpose of business is not intentionally embraced and diligently pursued, the economy may enrich a few but impoverish the society, its resources, and its democracy. Hence this book argues for a new vision of business ethics that is grounded in public accountability of business operations and outcomes for the common good, as a matter of justice." -- Publisher's description Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Introduction....Pages 1-15 The History and Ideals of Business Education....Pages 17-36 Contemporary Foundations for Business Ethics Education....Pages 37-55 Social and Historical Foundations for Business Ethics....Pages 57-86 Business Strategy as Social Responsibility and as a Matter of Justice....Pages 87-103 Moral Learning as Moral Practice....Pages 105-122 Public Ethics and the Principles of Public Deliberation....Pages 123-147 Moral Education in the Pragmatic Pursuit of the Good....Pages 149-169 Education for Ethical Leadership: Social Responsibility and Public Deliberation....Pages 171-192 Moral Formation in Four Essential Components: Sensitivity, Judgment, Motivation, and Character....Pages 193-217 Moral Apprenticeship: Moral Formation in the Context of Practice....Pages 219-239 Conclusion: Moral Formation and Ethical Reflection in Business Education....Pages 241-249 Back Matter....Pages 251-254