Good Business: Catholic Social Teaching at Work in the Marketplace

Good Business: Catholic Social Teaching at Work in the Marketplace

Thomas O'Brien, Elizabeth W. Collier, and Patrick Flanagan



Doing good business requires a firm moral compass for navigating everyday decisions with significant social, political, and economic impact. Good Business: Catholic Social Teaching at Work in the Marketplace examines eight themes of Catholic Social Teaching-- human dignity, common good, stewardship, option for the poor, economic justice, subsidiarity, solidarity, and rights and responsibilities-- and how they apply to contemporary business practices and critical issues in the global economy. With positive case studies and thoughtful discussion questions, Good Business guides learners toward practical application of the concepts in the modern business world.

Preface



Introduction

Thomas O'Brien

The Tradition of Applied Ethics

Catholic Interpretations of Applied Ethical Reasoning

The Catholic Social Tradition



1. Human Dignity in a Technological Age

Thomas O'Brien

Introduction

The Historical Roots of the Human Dignity Tradition

Modern Applications to the Business Setting: Emerging Technological Challenges to Human Dignity

Conclusion

Case Study: Designer Babies: The Fertility Institutes

Case Study: The People's Car



2. The Common Good and Corporate Governance

Thomas O'Brien

Introduction

The Common Good

Some Problems and Reservations

Conclusion

Case Study: Executive Pay and Economic Crisis

Case Study: A. G. Parfett & Sons Ltd.: Employee Ownership



3. Stewardship and the Educated Consumer

Elizabeth W. Collier

Introduction

Biblical and Theological Roots of Stewardship

Historical Development of the Concept of Stewardship

Developments in Catholic Social Teaching

Business Application

Conclusion

Case Study: E-Waste

Case Study: Do You Know What You Are Eating?



4. In Search of a Capitalist Option for the Poor

Thomas O'Brien

Introduction

Preferential Option for the Poor: A Primer

Catholic vs. Capitalist Social Praxis

The Quest for a Capitalist Option for the Poor

Conclusion

Case Study: TOMS Shoes

Case Study: Farmville



5. And Justice for All, Not Just the 1 Percent

Patrick Flanagan

Introduction

Defining Justice

Historical Appreciations of Justice

Biblical Roots of Justice

Roman Catholic Social Teaching

Applications to Contemporary Business Settings

Distributive Justice: Paying a Living Wage and Preventing Wage Theft

Conclusion

Case Study: Day Laboring

Case Study: Sweet Justice or Sour Dough?



6. Subsidiarity in the Midst of Globalization

Elizabeth W. Collier

Introduction

Roots of Subsidiarity in Catholic Social Teaching

Subsidiarity in Catholic Social Teaching

Application of Subsidiarity in a Contemporary Business Setting

Conclusion

Case Study: Toyota Motor Corporation and Employee "Suggestion" System

Case Study: Homeboy Industries



7. The Challenge of Solidarity in a Competitive

Business Environment

Thomas O'Brien

Introduction

History and Development of the Idea of Solidarity

Solidarity in a Business Context

Conclusion

Case Study: One Acre Fund

Case Study: The Solar Suitcase



8. Weighing Rights against Responsibilities

Thomas O'Brien

Introduction

Human Rights: Philosophical, Biblical, and Theological Foundations

Catholic Social Teaching on Rights and Responsibilities

Rights and Responsibilities in a Contemporary Business Setting

Conclusion

Case Study: No Hershey's Kisses for Children of Africa

Case Study: The Bitter Internal Drive of Apple

Conclusion: A Catholic Understanding of the Nature of Business

Thomas O'Brien

Index