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Challenging the Egoistic Paradigm

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  • Bowie, Norman E.

Abstract

Most economists are committed to some version of egoism. After distinguishing among the various sorts of egoistic claims, I cite the empirical literature against psychological egoism and show that attempts to account for this data make these economists’ previous empirical claims tautological. Moreover, the assumption of egoism has undesirable consequences, especially for students; if people believe that others behave egoistically, they are more likely to behave egoistically themselves. As an alternative to egoism I recommend the commitment model of Robert Frank.The equivalent of egoism at the organizational level is that business firms seek (should seek) to maximize profits. I present arguments to show that a conscious attempt by managers to maximize profits is likely to fail. A committed altruism is more likely to raise profits. I suggest that a firm should take as its primary purpose providing meaningful work for employees.

Suggested Citation

  • Bowie, Norman E., 1991. "Challenging the Egoistic Paradigm," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 1(1), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:buetqu:v:1:y:1991:i:01:p:1-21_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Dulce Redín & Reyes Calderón & Ignacio Ferrero, 2014. "Exploring the Ethical Dimension of Hawala," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 124(2), pages 327-337, October.
    2. John Dobson, 2010. "Aesthetic Style as a Postructural Business Ethic," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 93(3), pages 393-400, May.
    3. Julian Friedland & Kyle Emich & Benjamin M Cole, 2020. "Uncovering the moral heuristics of altruism: A philosophical scale," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(3), pages 1-26, March.
    4. Moore, Celia & Tenbrunsel, Ann E., 2014. "“Just think about it”? Cognitive complexity and moral choice," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 123(2), pages 138-149.
    5. Jayasankar Ramanathan & Biswanath Swain, 2019. "Are Marketers Egoists? A Typological Explication," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 155(2), pages 611-621, March.
    6. Ian Maitland & Mitsuhiro Umezu, 2006. "An Evaluation of Japan's Stakeholder Capitalism," Journal of Private Enterprise, The Association of Private Enterprise Education, vol. 22(Spring 20), pages 131-164.
    7. Török, Attila, 2002. "Az etikus vállalati magatartás és annak "filantróp csapdája" [Ethical corporate behaviour and the "philanthropic trap" in this]," Közgazdasági Szemle (Economic Review - monthly of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), Közgazdasági Szemle Alapítvány (Economic Review Foundation), vol. 0(5), pages 441-454.
    8. Martin C. Schleper & Constantin Blome & David A. Wuttke, 2017. "The Dark Side of Buyer Power: Supplier Exploitation and the Role of Ethical Climates," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 140(1), pages 97-114, January.
    9. Christof Miska & Christian Hilbe & Susanne Mayer, 2014. "Reconciling Different Views on Responsible Leadership: A Rationality-Based Approach," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 125(2), pages 349-360, December.
    10. Marina Balboa & Germán López-Espinosa & Antonio Rubia, 2012. "Non-linear Dynamics in Discretionary Accruals: An Analysis of Bank Loan-Loss Provisions," Faculty Working Papers 07/12, School of Economics and Business Administration, University of Navarra.
    11. William Wines & J. Hamilton, 2009. "On Changing Organizational Cultures by Injecting New Ideologies: The Power of Stories," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 89(3), pages 433-447, October.
    12. Alma Acevedo, 2012. "Personalist Business Ethics and Humanistic Management: Insights from Jacques Maritain," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 105(2), pages 197-219, January.
    13. Geoffrey Bell & Bruno Dyck, 2011. "Conventional Resource-Based Theory and its Radical Alternative: A Less Materialist-Individualist Approach to Strategy," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 99(1), pages 121-130, February.
    14. James Weber & Akwasi Opoku-Dakwa, 2022. "Ethical Work Climate 2.0: A Normative Reformulation of Victor and Cullen’s 1988 Framework," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 178(3), pages 629-646, July.

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