Author Archives: The Editors
Is It Rational to Pay Bribes?
Bribery is unethical. But if it makes rational, economic sense to do it, then the ethical argument faces an uphill battle. The blog entry below suggests that while it sometimes seems like bribery might be rational — after all, it
Is It Rational to Pay Bribes?
Bribery is unethical. But if it makes rational, economic sense to do it, then the ethical argument faces an uphill battle. The blog entry below suggests that while it sometimes seems like bribery might be rational — after all, it
Does Capitalism Bring Peace?
People — including business-people — sometimes talk as if business IS war. But war and commerce involve fundamentally different norms. In war, you get stuff by taking it. In commerce, you get stuff by offering other people things they want.
Does Capitalism Bring Peace?
People — including business-people — sometimes talk as if business IS war. But war and commerce involve fundamentally different norms. In war, you get stuff by taking it. In commerce, you get stuff by offering other people things they want.
Stores Stop Selling Confederate Flag
Someone asked us yesterday about this story, and what we thought about stores “taking the high road” and stopping selling the confederate flag. Characterizing this move that way suggests that the move is emphatically grounded in ethics, and also that
Stores Stop Selling Confederate Flag
Someone asked us yesterday about this story, and what we thought about stores “taking the high road” and stopping selling the confederate flag. Characterizing this move that way suggests that the move is emphatically grounded in ethics, and also that
Counterfeit Rhino Horns: Unethical, OK, or Awesomely Super-Ethical?
Using rhino horns for implausible folk remedies is bad. Doing so to the point where rhinos face extinction is even worse. Selling counterfeit goods and thus fooling customers is also generally bad. But what about when you do the latter
Counterfeit Rhino Horns: Unethical, OK, or Awesomely Super-Ethical?
Using rhino horns for implausible folk remedies is bad. Doing so to the point where rhinos face extinction is even worse. Selling counterfeit goods and thus fooling customers is also generally bad. But what about when you do the latter
Women Get Shut Down While Speaking at Work
The kind of bias discussed below is a real problem. It’s a real problem ethically. It’s a real problem practically (since good ideas are being shut down). And it’s also a “real” problem in another sense: it’s hard to know
Women Get Shut Down While Speaking at Work
The kind of bias discussed below is a real problem. It’s a real problem ethically. It’s a real problem practically (since good ideas are being shut down). And it’s also a “real” problem in another sense: it’s hard to know
The Pope: Wrong About Market-Based Solutions
In his recent encyclical, Pope Francis argued against market-based approaches to environmental problems. Here is philosopher Joseph Heath explaining what’s wrong with that claim. It’s a short opinion piece, and well worth reading in its entirety. >>> LINK: Pope Francis’
The Pope: Wrong About Market-Based Solutions
In his recent encyclical, Pope Francis argued against market-based approaches to environmental problems. Here is philosopher Joseph Heath explaining what’s wrong with that claim. It’s a short opinion piece, and well worth reading in its entirety. >>> LINK: Pope Francis’
Walmart Tax Avoidance
The organization behind this study is far from impartial. But that doesn’t mean the report is not reliable. And note that there’s no claim here that Walmart is doing anything illegal. The key question, of course, is whether it is
Walmart Tax Avoidance
The organization behind this study is far from impartial. But that doesn’t mean the report is not reliable. And note that there’s no claim here that Walmart is doing anything illegal. The key question, of course, is whether it is
Pope on Climate & Capitalism (with a lousy bibliography)
People have made a big deal about the Pope’s new encyclical on climate. Papal writings are generally a big deal, of course, given that there are about 1.2 billion Roman Catholics in the world. But this one is seen as
Pope on Climate & Capitalism (with a lousy bibliography)
People have made a big deal about the Pope’s new encyclical on climate. Papal writings are generally a big deal, of course, given that there are about 1.2 billion Roman Catholics in the world. But this one is seen as
Benefit Corporations: Why Do Some US States, But Not Others, Have Legislation?
Benefit corporations are an interesting new (or mostly new) type of business entity, one with a dual public and private mission. Many people find such organizations extremely attractive. Some even think they are the “way of the future.” The blog
Benefit Corporations: Why Do Some US States, But Not Others, Have Legislation?
Benefit corporations are an interesting new (or mostly new) type of business entity, one with a dual public and private mission. Many people find such organizations extremely attractive. Some even think they are the “way of the future.” The blog
Are there countries where doing business responsibly is impossible?
This blog entry asks whether there are some developing countries where companies from ‘western’ countries can’t do business without ethical peril. Are there some countries that should be considered “no-go” zones by responsible companies? >>> LINK: When is a country
Are there countries where doing business responsibly is impossible?
This blog entry asks whether there are some developing countries where companies from ‘western’ countries can’t do business without ethical peril. Are there some countries that should be considered “no-go” zones by responsible companies? >>> LINK: When is a country
Business Ethics Highlights 
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