First Essay Assignment: Philosophy 2074F

Essay topic

One of the central debates in business ethics concerns the nature of corporate social responsibility—specifically, whether corporate executives/managers have moral obligations which go beyond maximizing profit for stockholders. With direct reference to the essays by Friedman, Freeman and Heath, write a critical essay on the theme of corporate social responsibility. You should address the question: What are the social responsibilities of a corporation? Is a corporation solely responsible for maximizing profits for stockholders? Or do corporations have social responsibilities which go further than this, say to stakeholders or to the marketplace?  

Instructions and criteria of assessment

In addressing the above topic, you should write an argumentative essay, whereby you:

(i)         State your thesis explicitly (‘My goal in this paper is to…’).

(ii)        Explicate the text (identifying, contrasting, and discussing the arguments made by the authors you are examining, and which relate to your thesis).

(iii)       Provide analysis (with a view to supporting your thesis)

You should draw from all three of the above-mentioned authors in answering the above question. In other words, you will be evaluated on your explication and critical analysis of the three models of corporate responsibility, and on the strength of the arguments you make in support of the position for which you are arguing. The paper should be double spaced, 6 pages long, and it is due on May 23.    

Here are some questions (guidelines) you should keep in mind in writing your paper:

Does your paper have a clearly articulated thesis?

Is the thesis supported by arguments?

Are these arguments logically structured?

Do you make use of the primary texts in defending your thesis?

Have you anticipated potential criticisms of your position and demonstrated why your position is superior to rival interpretations?

Is your writing clear and to the point?

Is your writing technically flawless, free of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors?

Do you have proper documentation in a consistent style?

Solution

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) forms a contentious landscape in business ethics, igniting debates on the moral obligations of corporate executives and managers (Allhoff et al.,126). At the heart of the discourse are three significant works: Milton Friedman’s assertion that corporations’ sole responsibility is to maximize shareholder profits; R. Edward Freeman’s stakeholder theory, which posits broader obligations to all stakeholders; and Joseph Heath’s market failures approach, which urges corporations to prevent market imbalances. My goal in this essay is to discuss that corporations must navigate their ethical obligations by adopting a holistic approach that combines the shareholder-primacy focus on profit maximization, the broader stakeholder emphasis on balancing multiple interests, and the market integrity-centric perspective on preventing market failures, ultimately fostering sustainable business practices that benefit all stakeholders.

The expansive terrain of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) encapsulates a rich tapestry of perspectives, which cast light on the multifaceted interplay between corporations and society. Standing as signposts in this dynamic landscape are Milton Friedman, R. Edward Freeman, and Joseph Heath, each offering a distinct interpretation of the corporate-social interface and the consequential ethical obligations… ..Please click on the Icon below to purchase the full answer at only $10

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