Abstract Economics imperialism as an interdisciplinary relationship is supported by some, resisted by others, but these attitudes are seldom systematically derived from explicitly stated values and norms of scientific inquiry. Once we start getting explicit about these matters, they also become more complex and blurred. Some consider such norms part of the definition of economics … Continue reading The distributive liberal social contract as definite norm of communicative action: A characterization through the Nash social welfare function
Tag: norms
Community, Rights, and the Self: Comparing Critical Realism, George Herbert Mead, and Beth Singer
This paper examines connections between the account of social reality outlined by George Herbert Mead and developed by Beth Singer and that developed by advocates of critical realism. Whether primarily interested in defending the relevance of Mead’s contributions or further elaborating the social ontology associated with critical realism, those who have previously compared these perspectives have focused on differences. In this paper I argue that there are important similarities between the account of community, norms, and rights provided by Mead and Singer and recent positions developed by certain proponents of critical realism. I then suggest that, even where limitations in Mead’s analysis are evident, as for example in his over-socialized account of the self, various responses can be made with more than one appearing consistent with key aspects of critical realism.
The social responsibility of firms: An ethical leap across a legal void?, Sophie Swaton
Despite its present-day success story in the field of management, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not a new concept, but one that emerged in the 1950s. One may therefore wonder about such a resurgence for a concept whose interpretations are numerous and sometimes quite opposed to one another. Our hypothesis is that CSR, understood on a very topical functional level, results from a deficiency of substantive law. This gap could also explain the evolution of the historical and conceptual approach of CSR, perceived on a second level: the need to seek a foundation in ethics first, and then in political philosophy. However, such a search for foundations does not necessarily succeed. Nevertheless, far from limiting ourselves to a critical standpoint, we try to propose here a clarification of CSR and all the levels involved, in particular the ethical standpoint, which could be more deeply analyzed.