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Business’ Environmental Obligations and Reasoned Public Discourse: A Kantian Foundation for Analysis

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  • Richard Robinson

    (SUNY at Fredonia)

  • Nina Shah

    (Nicomekl Enhancement Society)

Abstract

The Kantian categorical imperative process of rational reflection and reasoned social discourse is theoretically capable of forming the moral environmental maxims applicable to business. This article argues that rational environmental discourse demands that business has an imperfect duty to develop relevant unbiased information, and perhaps to disseminate this information through participation in business-public coalitions. For the environmental problem, this “rationality” particularly concerns (i) our obligations toward future generations and distant people while recognizing that they cannot participate in current discourse, and (ii) the rules for gathering and assessing the evidence that should govern our environmental preservations and enhancements. Both these concerns demand certain scientific information requirements, as well as logical decision criteria that are perceived as stable across both overlapping generations, and affected peoples (as argued by Rawls in a different context). The criteria for Rawls’ “considered moral judgments” are shown to apply to resolutions of these business-related ethical conundrums. In a way similar to Kant’s anthropological examinations of humanity’s antisocial behaviors, this article also examines various biases that inhibit this social reasoning.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Robinson & Nina Shah, 2019. "Business’ Environmental Obligations and Reasoned Public Discourse: A Kantian Foundation for Analysis," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 159(4), pages 1181-1198, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:159:y:2019:i:4:d:10.1007_s10551-018-3802-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-018-3802-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Schuler, Douglas & Rasche, Andreas & Etzion, Dror & Newton, Lisa, 2017. "Guest Editors’ Introduction:Corporate Sustainability Management and Environmental Ethics," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 27(2), pages 213-237, April.
    2. Bjorndal, Trond & Munro, Gordon, 2012. "The Economics and Management of World Fisheries," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199576753.
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    Cited by:

    1. Christophe Faugère, 2021. "Connectalism: A new paradigm for human choice," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(6), pages 866-889, November.

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