JOURNAL OF LEADERSHIP, ACCOUNTABILITY AND ETHICS
Locke, Business Ethics Textbooks, and Virtue
Author(s): Richard J. McGowan, Tyler R. McGowan
Citation: Richard J. McGowan, Tyler R. McGowan, (2011) "Locke, Business Ethics Textbooks, and Virtue," Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics, Vol. 8, Iss. 3, pp. 71 - 76
Article Type: Research paper
Publisher: North American Business Press
Abstract:
The attitude regarding property that Locke imagined is inconsistent with the education that business ethics courses often provide, at least as exemplified by popular business ethics textbooks. First, we briefly show Locke's view of property. Then we present passages on Locke from business ethics textbooks. The passages suggest that Locke allows unlimited acquisition of property. Finally, we offer analysis allowing students to gain a more sophisticated understanding of Locke and property rights. Our analysis encourages students to examine material acquisition, especially in terms of virtue, as Locke would have it.