Catholic social teaching and business ethics: A search for moral foundations

The paper attempts to provide a basis for exploring the continued relevance of Catholic social teaching to business ethics, by interpreting the historic development of a Catholic work ethic and the traditions of Catholic social teaching in light of contemporary discussions of economic globalization, notably those of Robert Reich and Peter Drucker. The paper argues that the Catholic work ethic and the Church's tradition of social teaching has evolved dynamically in response to the structural changes involved in the history of modern economic development, and thus is well poised to speak to the ethical challenges implicit in the advent of a knowledge-based society. In order to test this thesis, the author sketches an approach to the ethicalchallenge of corporate downsizing that he believes illustrates the continued relevance of Catholic social teaching to business ethics.

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Catholic Social Teaching in an ERA of Economic Globalization: A Resource for Business Ethics

Business Ethics Quarterly ◽

10.2307/3857298 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 57-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Dennis P. McCann

Keyword(s):

Business Ethics ◽

Work Ethic ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Catholic Social Teaching ◽

Economic Globalization ◽

Ethical Challenge ◽

Social Teaching ◽

Ethical Challenges ◽

Knowledge Based ◽

Robert Reich

Abstract:The paper attempts to provide a basis for exploring the continued relevance of Catholic social teaching to business ethics, by interpreting the historic development of a Catholic work ethic and the traditions of Catholic social teaching in light of contemporary discussions of economic globalization, notably those of Robert Reich and Peter Drucker. The paper argues that the Catholic work ethic and the Church’s tradition of social teaching has evolved dynamically in response to the structural changes involved in the history of modern economic development, and thus is well poised to speak to the ethical challenges implicit in the advent of a knowledge-based society. In order to test this thesis, the author sketches an approach to the ethical challenge of corporate downsizing that he believes illustrates the continued relevance of Catholic social teaching to business ethics.

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Globalization and Benedict XVI’s Caritas in Veritate

10.1093/oso/9780190660130.003.0015 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Matthew A. Shadle

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Vulnerable Populations ◽

Global Economy ◽

Catholic Social Teaching ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

Social Teaching ◽

Catholic Social Thought ◽

Caritas In Veritate ◽

The World ◽

The Trinity

In recent years the economy has become globalized. Globalization is the increased flow of goods, services, capital, people, and culture facilitated by innovations in transportation and communication technologies. This chapter examines the phenomenon of globalization and its impact on Catholic social teaching. It looks, in particular, at Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical Caritas in Veritate. Pope Benedict criticizes how the current global economy exploits and excludes vulnerable populations around the world. Caritas in Veritate further develops the communio framework initiated by John Paul II and proposes that the communion of the three Persons of the Trinity provides a model for the shape globalization should take, recognizing unity in the midst of diversity. The chapter also looks at how Catholic social thought itself is globalizing, examining in particular the work of Mary Mee-Yin Yuen from Hong Kong and Stan Chu Ilo from Nigeria.

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Theology as Work: The Mandatum and the Rights of Labor

Horizons ◽

10.1017/s0360966900009762 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 128-134

Author(s):

Patrick T. McCormick

Keyword(s):

Academic Freedom ◽

Working Conditions ◽

Common Good ◽

Catholic Social Teaching ◽

Social Teaching ◽

The Common Good ◽

The Common ◽

The Right ◽

The Church ◽

Safe Working

ABSTRACTMany oppose the mandatum as a threat to the academic freedom of Catholic scholars and the autonomy and credibility of Catholic universities. But the imposition of this juridical bond on working theologians is also in tension with Catholic Social Teaching on the rights and dignity of labor. Work is the labor necessary to earn our daily bread. But it is also the vocation by which we realize ourselves as persons and the profession through which we contribute to the common good. Thus, along with the right to a just wage and safe working conditions, Catholic Social Teaching defends workers' rights to a full partnership in the enterprise, and calls upon the church to be a model of participation and cooperation. The imposition of the mandatum fails to live up to this standard and threatens the jobs and vocations of theologians while undermining this profession's contribution to the church.

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