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Justice and the Social Ontology of the Corporation

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  • Nuno Ornelas Martins

    (Universidade Católica Portuguesa)

Abstract

In this article I address the question of whether corporations should be considered as part of the basic structure of society as defined in Rawls’s Theory of Justice. To do so, it becomes necessary to understand which institutions are crucial for defining Rawls’s basic structure of society. I will argue that a social ontology aimed at understanding how human institutions influence various aspects presupposed in Rawls’s basic structure of society can help addressing this topic. To do so, I shall draw upon the social ontology elaborated by Searle, who follows an approach that is particularly suitable for showing how Rawls’s basic structure of society already contains an institutional setting that must take corporations into account in its very formulation, due to the implications of the activities of the corporation for distributive justice.

Suggested Citation

  • Nuno Ornelas Martins, 2018. "Justice and the Social Ontology of the Corporation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 153(1), pages 17-28, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:153:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-016-3360-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-016-3360-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jensen, Michael C. & Meckling, William H., 1976. "Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 305-360, October.
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    8. Blanc, Sandrine & Al-Amoudi, Ismael, 2013. "Corporate Institutions in a Weakened Welfare State: A Rawlsian Perspective," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 23(4), pages 497-525, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nuno Ornelas Martins, 2021. "Adam Smith and Catholic Social Teaching," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 170(2), pages 401-411, May.

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