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Virtue as a Model of Business Ethics

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Handbook of the Philosophical Foundations of Business Ethics

Abstract

A theory of virtue may be employed as an ethics of business. This chapter offers an account of the foundational theory of Aristotle, followed by illustrations of how some particular virtues are relevant to commerce. A discussion of the moral thought of modern thinkers – David Hume, Adam Smith, Samuel Smiles, Robert Solomon, and Deirdre McCloskey – illuminates further the application of virtue to commerce. Despite challenges, virtue theory provides a plausible model for considering how one may conduct business in an ethical and successful manner.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy, State University of New York at New Paltz, 1 Hawk Drive, 12561-2443, New Paltz, NY, USA

    Prof. Eugene Heath

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  1. Prof. Eugene Heath
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Correspondence to Eugene Heath .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Peter Löscher-Stiftungslehrstuhl für Wirtschaftsethik, Technische Universität München, München, Germany

    Christoph Luetge

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Heath, E. (2013). Virtue as a Model of Business Ethics. In: Luetge, C. (eds) Handbook of the Philosophical Foundations of Business Ethics. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1494-6_49

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1494-6_49

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-007-1493-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-1494-6

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