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Towards Authenticity: A Sartrean Perspective on Business Ethics

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Abstract

Taking a Sartrean existentialist viewpoint towards business ethics, in particular, concerning the question of the nature of businesspersons’ moral character, provides for a dramatically distinct set of reflections from those afforded by the received view on character, namely that of Aristotelian-based virtue ethics. Insofar as Sartre’s philosophy places human freedom at center stage, I argue that the authenticity with which a businessperson approaches moral situations depends on the degree of consciousness he or she has of the various choices at stake. Finally, I consider some practical changes in business ethics education, managerial decision-making, and business organizations that Sartrean reflections might prompt.

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Correspondence to Kevin T. Jackson.

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Jackson, K.T. Towards Authenticity: A Sartrean Perspective on Business Ethics. J Bus Ethics 58, 307–325 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-005-1178-0

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