Skip to main content
Log in

A moral basis for corporate philanthropy

  • Published:
Journal of Business Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The authors argue that corporate philanthropy is far too important as a social instrument for good to depend on ethical egoism for its support. They claim that rule utilitarianism provides a more compelling, though not exclusive, moral foundation. The authors cite empirical and legal evidence as additional support for their claim.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Berle, A. and G. Means: 1932, The Modern Corporation and Private Property (MacMillan, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, M.: 1970, The Social Responsibility of Business Is To Increase Its Profits. New York Times Magazine 32, 13 Sept., 122–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, M.: 1962, Capitalism and Freedom (Free Press, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, S.: 1990, ‘Corporate Philanthropy and the Business Benefit: The Need for Clarity’,Golden Gate University Law Review 20, 239–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mill, J. S.: 1989, On Liberty; With the Subjection of Women; and Chapters on Socialism (Cambridge University Press, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrissey, D.: 1989, ‘Toward A New/Old Theory of Corporate Social Responsibility’,Syracuse Law Review 40, 1005–1039.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nesteruk, J.: 1990, ‘Persons, Property, and the Corporation: A Proposal for a New Paradigm’,DePaul Law Review 39, 543–565.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nesteruk, J.: 1989, ‘Corporations, Shareholders, and Moral Choice: A New Perspective on Corporate Social Responsibility’,Cincinnati Law Review 58, 451–475.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, J., C. Powers and J. Gunnemann: 1972, The Ethical Investor: Universities and Corporate Responsibility (Yale University Press, New Haven).

    Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, R.: 1992, ‘Corporate Roles, Personal Virtues: An Aristotelean Approach to Business Ethics’,Business Ethics Quarterly 2, 317–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sommer, Jr., A.: 1991, ‘Whom Should the Corporation Serve? The Berle-Dodd Debate Revised Sixty Years Later’,Delaware Journal of Corporate Law 16, 33–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vartorella, W.: 1992, ‘Playing the Corporate Game: An Insider's Guide to Getting Equipment Grants’,Fund Raising Institute Monthly Portfolio 31(7), 1–2.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Additional information

Bill Shaw is the Woodson Centennial Professor in Business Administration at The University of Texas at Austin. He teaches courses in business ethics and in legal environment of business. Professor Shaw's articles have appeared in law and ethics journals, and he is co-author, with Art Wolfe, ofStructure of the Legal Environment (1991).

Frederick R. Post is Assistant Professor of Business Law and Management at the College of Business Administration, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio. Professor Post teaches business law and labor policy courses. His research interests include business ethics and labor management relations. His publications have appeared inThe Journal of Business Ethics, The Mid-American Journal of Business andThe Journal of Legal Studies Education.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shaw, B., Post, F.R. A moral basis for corporate philanthropy. J Bus Ethics 12, 745–751 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00881305

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00881305

Keywords

Navigation