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Can a Corporation Have a Conscience? Goodpaster & Mathews

Can a Corporation Have a Conscience? Goodpaster & Mathews. Learning Objectives: Understand the degree to which corporations can and should have moral qualities The concept and definition of moral responsibility Projecting moral responsibility to corporations, and alternatives. Some Basics.

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Can a Corporation Have a Conscience? Goodpaster & Mathews

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  1. Can a Corporation Have a Conscience?Goodpaster & Mathews Learning Objectives: Understand the degree to which corporations can and should have moral qualities The concept and definition of moral responsibility Projecting moral responsibility to corporations, and alternatives

  2. Some Basics • Legally, corporations are viewed as “artificial persons” with certain rights and responsibilities. • Can we extend our views of morality to corporations ? • Can and should a corporation exert economic influence to achieve a particular social outcome ? • What about moral relativism ?

  3. The Concept of Moral Responsibility … philosophers generally agree that “responsibility” can be used in three contexts … • Causal – praise or blame for past actions • Rule-following – individuals are subject to externally imposed rules • Decision-making – personality trait; trustworthy, reliable Which definition or context do the authors seem to advance ?

  4. Defining Moral Responsibility … a normative system in which judgments are made consciously, considering the effects of ones actions … What do we mean by Normative ? Consciously ? This seems to imply decision makers exhibit rationality and respect for others. Why are these concepts important ? Can and should these concepts be extended to corporations ?

  5. Projecting Moral Responsibility to Corporations • Do corporations exhibit rationality in decision making ? Examples ? • Do corporations exhibit respect (consideration for others) in their decision making ? Examples ? • The authors claim that moral responsibility develops over time (as with individuals from infancy to adulthood) Is this view acceptable for corporations ?

  6. Alternatives for Addressing Moral Problems • Invisible hand – corporations working legally, in their own self-interests, to gain competitive advantage, will best serve the common good • Hand of government – corporations pursue their own self-interests, but government defines the objectives of the common good • Hand of management – allow corporations to adopt moral judgments, implement programs to fix moral injustices. Which of these approaches do you favor ? Pros and cons ?

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