Abstract
Ideology has been described as a framework of ideas used to explain values and purposes. Accordingly, one might consider the possibility of constructing a universal ideology, that is, a framework of ideas that can be used to explain all values and purposes, but especially those most relevant to business ethics. A conceptual framework that meets that description is duly set out in this paper. It is comprised of four partitioned sets of concepts: ethical-theories, human-goods, market-limitations and other bi-polar components. In the spirit of philosophical pragmatism, the framework enables its users to generate systematic explanations and justifications of ethical strategies in business. It might also be used as a tool for a type of moral-diplomacy, where the intention is to promote the radical center and business strategies that compensate for selected market-limitations.
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Notes
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The Left-Right component is a simplification or “projection” of complex political issues for various reasons. For example, “protecting a nations’ workers against outsourcing” and “ending global poverty” are both priorities of the Left, but they conflict to the extent that the latter might be achievable (or already partly achieved) through global capitalism. Another issue involves citizens’ willingness to pay tax. It is a function not only of their general trust in government, but also of their approval of specific policies. The left, for example, often oppose paying taxes to the extent that the funds are used for military projects (i.e. doves vs. hawks).
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According to Philip Weiss (2006) we’re in a period of ideological disarray and realignment…and “my best hope is … a kind of radical center”.
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According to Adler (2002, p. 29) one is “fully aware of a belief when one attends to the fact that one has the belief and considers why one believes it”. Furthermore, any conscious decision to “consider” or think of doxa (Bauman and Bordoni 2014) involves some preliminary estimation of the level of cognitive-effort that is likely to be needed, as well as the overall costs and benefits of the various possible outcomes. The first phase is quite like a computer calculating whether it has enough space to save a file.
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Several contributors to the American Conservative noted that the very terms “Left” and “Right” originated in the French National Assembly prior to the French revolution of 1789. Those who favored equality sat on the speaker’s left; those who wanted Catholic churchmen and nobles to retain privileges sat on the right (e.g. Derbyshire 2006). Exactly 200 years later, with the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989), the church once again “sat” on the Right, in opposing communism and the Soviet Union. However, in 2015 Pope Francis proclaimed that “Working for a just distribution of the fruits of…human labor is… a moral obligation” and that “an unfettered pursuit of money”…is… “the dung of the devil”.
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Singer, A.E. (2017). Universal Ideology & Ethical Strategy. In: Rendtorff, J. (eds) Perspectives on Philosophy of Management and Business Ethics. Ethical Economy, vol 51. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46973-7_2
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