Author:
Michalos, Alex C.
Imprint:Thousand Oaks : Sage Publications, c1995.
Description282 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.
Bibliography Note:Includes bibliographical references and index.
Note:"Michalos, editor in chief of the Journal of Business Ethics since 1980, offers his own approach to the topic in this clearly written (with a humorous tone), well-structured, fully reasoned, and courageous presentation. Although most of its 12 chapters have been published elsewhere, the volume is fairly consistent (with a detailed index) and balances general considerations with discussions of quite specific issues. In its foundational part, actions and beliefs are evaluated on the basis of their consequences and substantiated by the fundamental Principle of Beneficence: One ought to act so that one's actions tend to impartially improve the quality of life. From this "pragmatic" perspective, Michalos argues that in their professional roles businesspeople ought to support business ethics. The second part of the book addresses issues such as the relevance of trust, advertising, a progressive wealth tax, NAFTA, and the export of military arms. Each chapter offers a great deal of information, discusses numerous arguments, and takes an unambiguous stand. Even if the reader does not agree with Michalos's conclusions, he or she will certainly benefit from this fairly broad approach to business ethics, to which social science analysis matters greatly." -- Choice review
