The Routledge Companion to Business Ethics

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Theorists and philosophers on business ethics

George Bragues

Ever since Socrates brought philosophy down from the heavens to deal with the human things, most of the thinkers who have made a name in that subject have reflected deeply on economic life and, particularly, on commerce. They sought to comprehend its origins and nature, its functions and consequences in the social order, along with its relation to the state. This is not to mention how the philosophers endeavored to gauge the proper role of commerce both in the larger community and in the lives of individuals. Even when they were not specifically addressing commerce, they were articulating ideas and theories applicable to it, mainly by providing enduring methods and principles ...