The Moral Imperative in Business
from "Business and the Man," originally published 1920, modern edition 2022 by thegoodboss.club
“The Moral Imperative” is the topical title of a section of Chapter V, “Ethics of Business,” in the book “Business and the Man,” Volume 1 in the “Modern Business Series,” published by the Alexander Hamilton Institute. The modern edition of the book, replete with contemporary commentary, is available online for paying members of The Good Boss Club on Substack. The section is reproduced in its entirety below. Paid subscribers may comment.
“What are the moral obligations, the duties of the business man? Is it enough that he be honest and square in all his dealings? His reputation as an honest dealer, as a man who has never cheated a customer nor violated the law, is a valuable business asset. Has he, having earned this reputation, performed all his duties as a business man?
Business is a cooperative matter. Nothing much can be accomplished in it unless men work together for a common result. Now, men cannot be closely associated, working side by side, some subordinate to others, without that clashing of self-interest which gives rise to moral or ethical problems. It is evident that honesty cannot be regarded as the sole necessary virtue in business. Duty demands much more of a business man.