Virtue and Vice Attributions in the Business Context: An Experimental Investigation

Journal of Business Ethics 113 (4):649-661 (2013)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Recent findings in experimental philosophy have revealed that people attribute intentionality, belief, desire, knowledge, and blame asymmetrically to side- effects depending on whether the agent who produces the side-effect violates or adheres to a norm. Although the original (and still common) test for this effect involved a chairman helping or harming the environment, hardly any of these findings have been applied to business ethics. We review what little exploration of the implications for business ethics has been done. Then, we present new experimental results that expand the attribution asymmetry to virtue and vice. We also examine whether it matters to people that an effect was produced as a primary or side- effect, as well as how consumer habits might be affected by this phenomenon. These results lead to the conclusion that it appears to be in a businessperson’s self-interest to be virtuous.

Author Profiles

Mark Alfano
Macquarie University
Brian Robinson
Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Analytics

Added to PP
2013-03-30

Downloads
1,028 (#11,147)

6 months
146 (#18,444)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?