Business of Commerce (Hoover Inst Press Publication): Examining an Honorable Profession (Hoover Institution Press Publication) - Softcover

Chesher, James E.; Machan, Tibor R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0817996222 ISBN 13: 9780817996222

Publisher: Hoover Institution Press,U.S., 1999

Synopsis

The authors of this book examine the prejudiced view that all business is inherently immoral and come to the conclusion that this view is dangerously wrong. The Business of Commerce: Examining an Honorable Profession Explores the cultural, philosophical, and theological sources of the bad reputation suffered by business in Western culture Samples prominent opinion, from Plato to Galbraith Examines the fundamental dichotomies of a society that seeks prosperity, yet disdains the very processes by which prosperity is achieved Traces the ideologies that undermine the moral standing of commerce Builds the convincing case that antibusiness sentiment rises primarily from the belief that human nature and human life find their higher value in an otherworldly realm, that earthly life finds its unworthy equal in the struggle to improve life in the lower realm . . . the business of commerce The Business of Commerce: Examining an Honorable Profession demonstrates why such a view is unreasonable, unwarranted, and unjust. It presents compelling evidence that the profession of business is no less worthy of respect than the professions of medicine, science, art, or education. Along the way this book explores a number of related subjects that lead to a sobering conclusion: Unless a positive attitude emerges, economic prosperity will elude the very societies that need it most.

About this title

From the Author:

A Critiuque of Business Bashing
We argue that quite unjustly business -- or commerce, more generally -- has had a bad press for centuries, based, mainly, on its close affinity with the provision of earthly goods. The main intellectual culprit has been dualistic idealism, the view that we have a divided self of which the spiritual is noble but the natural is base. Once this conception of our nature is adequately challenged, shown to be mistaken, the moral standing of business must improve. We show the history of anti-commerce prejudice and indicate how it has demeaned what is in fact an honorable practice and its professional arm, business.

About the Author:

Tibor R. Machan is a Hoover research fellow, Professor Emeritus, Department of Philosophy, Auburn University, Alabama, and holds the R. C. Hoiles Endowed Chair in Business Ethics and Free Enterprise at the Argyros School of Business and Economics, Chapman University.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hoover Institution Press,U.S.
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0817996222
• ISBN 13: 9780817996222
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 310