Corporations and Non‐Agential Moral Responsibility. (23rd July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dempsey, James
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied philosophy. Volume 30:Number 4(2013:Nov.)
• Page Start: 334
• Page End: 350
• Publication Date: 2013-07-23
• Subjects: Philosophy -- Periodicals; Ethics -- Periodicals; Social ethics -- Periodicals; 100
• DOI: 10.1111/japp.12029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-3758

Abstract

Abstract : One of the core challenges presented by ascriptions of moral responsibility to corporations is to identify who or what is being held responsible. A significant source of controversy in attempts to answer this challenge is whether or not responsibility can fall on a 'corporate entity' distinct from the individuals that make it up. In this article I argue that both sides of this debate have incorrectly assumed that the possession of moral agency is a necessary condition for holding moral responsibility. I go on to argue that it is sufficient for a corporate entity to be a 'morally significant system', that is a non‐agential system created by moral agents, and I develop an account of such systems. I conclude by setting out the implications of this analysis for our practices of holding corporations morally responsible.