The notion that business should sacrifice its self-interest—profit—to some undefinable “collective good” is ludicrous.
Jaana Woiceshyn
Jaana Woiceshyn taught business ethics and competitive strategy for over 30 years at the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, Canada, where she is now an emerita professor.How to Be Profitable and Moral” is her first solo-authored book.
Visit her website at profitableandmoral.com.
Lesson from Brian Williams’ dishonesty: Faking is futile—and hazardous
Why should one follow honesty systematically, as a principle?
Why Be Moral? Your Life Depends On It
Moral principles, such as self-interest, rationality, honesty, justice, integrity, independence, productiveness, and pride, are not based on feelings but on facts.
Inequality Is Not The Problem, Lack Of Freedom Is
Freedom is the only means to increase human well-being.
Three Errors About Business Ethics
There is a moral code that is consistent with long-term profitability of business.
Reasons to Reject Humility
Why do we accept humility as a virtue?
Freedom of Speech and Business: What Charlie Hebdo Taught Us (Again)
If businesses want to operate successfully, they must stand up for liberty and freedom of speech, in solidarity to those who have been attacked, for their own self-interest.
Capitalism Brings Prosperity To All
Long-term wealth can only be created by earning it: by trading value for value for win-win outcomes.
The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels by Alex Epstein
Based on meticulous research and backed up with solid facts, Epstein makes the case that fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—have tremendous positive impact on human life.
Does Government Regulation Make Us Safe?
Proper protection of individual rights by government and private licensing and certification programs would make us safer (100% safety for fallible and mortal beings is impossible)—no regulations and government inspectors needed.
Altruism Means Self-Sacrifice, not Benevolence
Benevolence does not require self-sacrifice.
The Morality of Capitalism
Capitalism, in Ayn Rand’s definition, is “a social system based on the recognition of individual rights (including property rights) in which all property is privately owned.”
The Deep-Seated Suspicion of Self-interest
People are suspicious of self-interest because for every philosopher who has taught and advocated self-interest, there have been multiples of those who have taught its opposite, altruism.
Tax Avoidance, Productiveness, and Employee Cheating
Cheating means breaking a rule or law; legal tax avoidance merely exploits “regulatory loopholes” without breaking the law and is part of a legitimate profit maximization strategy.
“Social License to Operate” is a Violation of the Right to Liberty and Property
Companies should be free to operate in any way they choose: to develop mining and oil sands operations, to build pipelines or nuclear power plants, to start and operate biotechnology ventures or any others—as long as they do not violate the individual rights of others, including their rights to liberty and property.
Business as a Moral Endeavor
Business is moral because our lives and well-being depend on it, and businesspeople are heroes and moral creators who deserve, not our disdain and criticism, but our thanks.
This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate
Environmentalists like Naomi Klein are intentionally unclear and misleading about the fossil fuel industry and capitalism, because it serves their purpose of taking away our freedom to live our lives and run our businesses the way we choose.
Business Ethics 101: Selfishness, Altruism and Personal Values
The prerequisite of acting ethically in business and other realms of life is clear thinking.
Why Appeasement Doesn’t Work: Sainsbury’s and Kosher Foods
By appeasing the protestors, the first moral principles the Sainsbury’s manager conceded was the right to liberty.
Cheering the Burger King Takeover of Tim Hortons
To argue that foreign takeovers of Canadian companies are of “no net benefit” is nonsensical.
The Vice of Selflessness
Accepting selflessness as the moral ideal is a source of unearned guilt and irreconcilable with success and happiness.
Subscribe for free.
Read by students, professors, and citizens, Capitalism Magazine provides over 9,000 free to read articles and essays from pro-reason, individual rights perspective.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.