Limitations of the Pragmatist Approach to Business Ethics

Abstract

In this chapter I consider the role that the philosophical theory of pragmatism plays in business ethics. In the first section of the chapter I focus on the work of the best known twentieth century pragmatist Richard Rorty. Despite Rorty’s influence in philosophical circles, Rorty knew little about business ethics and was often unsympathetic to capitalism. In addition to providing the criticisms that a number of business ethicists have leveled against Rorty, I show that his choice of literature as the art form that chapters his philosophical pragmatism actually leads him astray. I argue that a focus on arts like ceramics or sculpture might have softened his relativism. The second section of the chapter focuses on the work of R Edward Freeman, by far the best known of the pragmatic business ethicists. In that section I point where Freeman’s pragmatism and Bowie’s Kantianism can find common ground. I conclude however by arguing that the values of freedom and solidarity that the pragmatists espouse need to be grounded in a broader ethical theory and that Kant’s ethical theory provides an appropriate grounding.KeywordsBusiness EthicEthical TheoryStakeholder TheoryApply EthicMoral ImaginationThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.