Goods, Norms and Virtues in Business Ethics

Abstract

Proposals for the foundation of business ethics are abundant and their discernment is often complex. Here the most relevant proposals are reviewed by contrasting them with the presented by Polo, who understands ethics in statu nascente, while considering it as a guide for freedom leading to the development of the human essence. This leads us to a systemic unit of ethics in which three interrelated aspects or dimensions concur: goods, norms and virtues. After discussing the current situation, the article concludes by advocating to the foundation of business ethics, considering ethics, in its integrity of goods, moral norms, and virtues and as a guide for human excellence in the company, and not simply to give a normative base to the market and the company.