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‘The Aesthetic’ and Its Relationship to Business Ethics: Philosophical Underpinnings and Implications for Future Research

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  • Donna Ladkin

    (Plymouth University)

Abstract

The article clarifies the way in which ‘the aesthetic’ is conceptualised in relation to business ethics in order to assess its potential to inform theory building and developmental practices within the business ethics field. A systematic review of relevant literature is undertaken which identifies three ontologically based accounts of the relationship between the aesthetic and business ethics: ‘positive’ ones (in which ‘the good is equated with ‘the beautiful’), ‘negative’ accounts (in which aesthetic craving is seen to foster ethical malfeasance) and ‘Postmodern’ renderings (in which the aesthetic and the ethical are seen to be ideologically informed). Five epistemologically based approaches are also made explicit: those in which the aesthetic is thought to develop enhanced perceptual discernment, those in which the aesthetic catalyses emotional sensitivity, those in which the aesthetic contributes to imaginative capacity, those in which the aesthetic prompts integrative apprehension and those in which the aesthetic is seen to foster critical reflexivity. The review reveals two key findings: firstly, the dearth of empirically based research to substantiate claims made about the aesthetic’s ability to foster ethical capabilities, which leads to proposals for further research; secondly, the analysis indicates the significance of critical reflexivity both in resolving the apparent dichotomy between ontologically based perspectives asserting the aesthetic’s ability to lead to ethically sound or egregious behaviour, and in underpinning the capacities of perceptual discernment, emotional connectivity, imagination and integrative apprehension which epistemologically based approaches assert the aesthetic can foster.

Suggested Citation

  • Donna Ladkin, 2018. "‘The Aesthetic’ and Its Relationship to Business Ethics: Philosophical Underpinnings and Implications for Future Research," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 147(1), pages 35-51, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:147:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-015-2928-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-015-2928-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John Dobson, 2010. "Aesthetic Style as a Postructural Business Ethic," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 93(3), pages 393-400, May.
    2. Moberg, Dennis J. & Seabright, Mark A., 2000. "The Development of Moral Imagination," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 10(4), pages 845-884, October.
    3. John Dobson, 2007. "Aesthetics as a Foundation for Business Activity," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 72(1), pages 41-46, April.
    4. Jane Collier, 2006. "The Art of Moral Imagination: Ethics in the Practice of Architecture," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 66(2), pages 307-317, June.
    5. Green, Ronald M., 1993. "Business Ethics as a Postmodern Phenomenon," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 3(3), pages 219-226, July.
    6. Theodora Issa & David Pick, 2010. "Ethical Mindsets: An Australian Study," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 96(4), pages 613-629, November.
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    Cited by:

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    5. Emma Bell & Nik Winchester & Edward Wray-Bliss, 2021. "Enchantment in Business Ethics Research," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 174(2), pages 251-262, November.

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