From Separatism to the Attitude of Solidarity: The Norms of Ethics and Free Market
Włodzimierz KACZOCHA
European Higher School of Business in Poznan , PolandAbstract
The paper discusses five theoretical and ethical approaches regarding the place of ethics in the areas of economics and free market. The very first separatist approach was developed by theoreticians of neoclassical economics (mainstream economics), Friedrich von Hayek and Milton Friedman, among others, who claimed free market is autonomous and neither politics nor ethics should interfere with it. The remaining four approaches have been defined within the realms of (1) utilitarian ethics (Jeremy Bentham, John S. Mill), (2) ‘enlightened egoism’ (Peter Pratley), (3) holistic ethics (Robert C. Solomon), (4) Catholic solidarity (John Paul II, Benedict XVI). Discussing each of these ideas the author describes the theoretical, ethical, or theological assumptions underlying it and used to form general or more detailed ethical concepts containing values, norms and ethical virtues relating to individual or institutional actions. Some sections of the paper quote business practitioners and thus well illustrate the contents of particular ideas.
Keywords:
ethics, free market, utilitarianism, enlightened egoism, holism, social solidarismEuropean Higher School of Business in Poznan
