Seven moral philosophies of management

pp. 44-65

in: Thomas Klikauer, Seven management moralities, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2012

Abstract

This chapter outlines the contentious relationship between management and morality from the perspective of moral philosophy by examining moral philosophy's single most relevant issue: human life. This is in sharp contrast to management's key issue of profit-maximisation. Both moral philosophy and management achieve their respective goals to examine human life and make profit through the application of rational principles. Since there is no single rational principle operative in either the management or the moral philosophy domains, several versions of rationality need to be examined. Nevertheless, there is one common rational principle that governs both. This principle is closely linked to their structure. The essence of both management and moral philosophy is a combination of structure and rational principles which this chapter highlights by examining some of the key elements found in both.