Corporate Autonomy

Abstract

I have so far shown that the founding theories of corporate moral agency (that focus on the corporate structure as the locus of independent abilities) do not meet the morally relevant moral agency conditions of an ability to intend and an ability act. As regards the autonomy condition I have so far primarily considered the autonomy of members in their role as corporate agents performing actions on behalf of the corporate principal. I now turn to considering whether the corporation itself can qualify as a principal with autonomous intentions (that direct corporate agents into action).