Philosophy 311: Business Ethics
Dr. James Luchte
Britt Hall 214
E-mail Dr. James Luchte
540-365-4324
Office Hours: MW 1-1:50PM, 3:30-5:00PM; F 1:-1:50PM, 2-4PM
Business Ethics
11:00 - 11:50AM
Beckham 6
Course Description:
We will begin this course with the development of a theoretical framework for business ethics.
After a brief introduction to Philosophy, we will begin an examination of the meaning of ethics.
We will begin with the Greek notion of "ethos", or way of being, with respect to "forms and reasons
for exchange" in a political economy. This notion will be determined through a contrast between
the competitive system of modern capitalism and the "economy of the gift" in the archaic economy.
In light of this discussion of the economic parameters for ethical decision-making, we will outline
various theories of ethics and investigate their relevance to political economics and business.
After the development of this theoretical framework for business ethics, we will delve into case
studies in which we will explore ethical questions and strategies of application for the various
theories of ethics to political economic systems and situations of "business".
We will consider (but not exclusively) worker's rights, environmental protection, racial and sexual
discrimination, corporate responsibility and the possibility of a democratic control of the economy.
Texts
Mauss, Marcel
The Gift: The Form and Reason for Exchange in Archaic Societies
W.W. Norton
2000
Moore, Michael
Stupid White Men
Regan Books
2001
Resources
Ethics Updates
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Baobab's Corporate Power Information Center
Business Ethics Magazine
The Corporation as Feudal Estate
Center For Applied Ethics
Course Evaluation
This course will be evaluated on the basis of two, equally weighted, criteria:
1. Class participation and discussion.
2. A cumulative written project (15 pages) which will be written in four parts. It will examine a concrete ethical dilemmma emerging in the context of business or economics.
E-mail Dr. James Luchte
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