Recommended Citation
Postprint version. Published in Volume 86, Issue 1, January 1, 2009, pages 43-50.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9792-2.
Abstract
This paper begins by summarizing and distilling MacIntyre’s sweeping critique of modern business. It identifies the crux of MacIntyre’s critique as centering on the fundamental Aristotelian concepts of internal goods and practices. MacIntyre essentially follows Aristotle in arguing that by privileging external goods over internal goods, business activity – and certainly modern capitalistic business activity – corrupts practices. Thus, from the perspective of virtue ethics, business is morally indefensible. The paper continues with an evaluation of MacIntyre’s arguments. The conclusion is drawn that MacIntyre’s critique, although partially valid, does not vitiate modern business as he claims. In short, modern business need not of necessity be antithetical to individuals’ pursuit of internal goods within practices.
Disciplines
Finance
Copyright
2009 Springer.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/fin_fac/2