👤 About the Author
Józef Tischner
Pontifical Theological Academy in Krakow
Józef Stanisław Tischner (1931–2000) był polskim księdzem, filozofem i profesorem Akademii Teologicznej w Krakowie. Był pierwszym kapelanem NSZZ „Solidarność” oraz ważną postacią intelektualną opozycji antykomunistycznej w Polsce. Tischner rozwijał oryginalną filozofię, podkreślającą etyczny wymiar istnienia człowieka, inspirowaną fenomenologią i egzystencjalizmem. Autor ponad 600 publikacji, łączył teologię, filozofię i krytykę społeczną. Odznaczony Orderem Orła Białego.
Alasdair MacIntyre
Centre for Contemporary Aristotelian Studies in Ethics and Politics (CASEP) at London Metropolitan University (Senior Research Fellow until retirement), Emeritus at University of Notre Dame
Alasdair Chalmers MacIntyre (1929–2025) był szkocko-amerykańskim filozofem, znanym z istotnych wkładów w filozofię moralną i polityczną oraz historię filozofii i teologię. Jego najważniejsze dzieło, After Virtue (1981), przywróciło do debaty etykę Arystotelesa, podkreślając historyczny kontekst rozumowania moralnego. Krytykował oświeceniową teorię moralności i współczesny nihilizm, postulując powrót do etyki cnót opartej na wspólnocie i tradycji. Był starszym badaczem w CASEP na London Metropolitan University oraz profesorem emerytowanym na Uniwersytecie Notre Dame.
Michael Sandel
Harvard University
Michael J. Sandel jest amerykańskim filozofem politycznym i profesorem rządu na Uniwersytecie Harvarda, gdzie zajmuje stanowisko Anne T. i Roberta M. Bassa. Znany jest z kursu "Justice", który ukończyło ponad 15 000 studentów i który jako pierwszy kurs Harvarda był dostępny bezpłatnie online i w telewizji, docierając do milionów na całym świecie. Jego prace dotyczą sprawiedliwości, etyki, demokracji i rynków, przetłumaczone na ponad 30 języków. Wygłaszał prestiżowe wykłady na całym świecie, był członkiem Rady Prezydenta ds. Bioetyki oraz otrzymał wiele nagród, w tym w 2018 roku Nagrodę Księżnej Asturii w dziedzinie nauk społecznych. Ukończył doktorat na Uniwersytecie Oksfordzkim jako stypendysta Rhodesa i jest członkiem Amerykańskiej Akademii Sztuk i Nauk.
Introduction
Are there universal moral principles, or is ethics always a product of local culture? This fundamental philosophical debate has real consequences in the global economy, where differing value systems constantly clash. This article analyzes this tension, revealing how ethical theories translate into business practices – from exploitation in factories to the responsibility of corporations and consumers. It explains how companies attempt to navigate this complex moral landscape.
Ethical Universalism vs. Relativism: A Clash of Norms
On one side stands ethical universalism, which posits the existence of transcultural moral principles. Philosophers from Kant to contemporary thinkers argue that reason allows for the formulation of norms binding all humanity. In business, such principles are referred to as hypernorms – encompassing fundamental human rights, such as the prohibition of slavery or systemic discrimination, and serving as the ultimate criterion for evaluating local practices.
At the opposite pole is cultural relativism. It asserts that moral norms are inextricably linked to culture, and one cannot judge one value system by the standards of another. Its proponents view it as a defense against moral imperialism. However, this stance carries risks: if there is no external point of reference, historical atrocities cannot be universally condemned, and the argument of "local customs" becomes a convenient alibi for exploitation.
Globalization and Mechanisms of Responsibility
Globalization has revealed a dark mechanism known as the "race to the bottom". Corporations, in pursuit of cost minimization, relocate production to countries with weaker regulations, leading to the emergence of sweatshops – factories of exploitation. These are not anomalies but a systemic consequence of price pressure in global supply chains. This issue also affects Poland, albeit on a different scale, for example, in agency work models.
One response to these challenges is the Integrated Social Contracts Theory (ISCT), which attempts to reconcile global norms with local practices. It establishes the aforementioned hypernorms as a "moral floor" that no local practices can violate. This also changes the perception of business responsibility, as captured by stakeholder theory. According to this theory, a company is accountable not only to shareholders but also to employees, suppliers, and the community. An extreme form of this idea is covenantal ethics, where the relationship with a supplier is based on long-term cooperation rather than exploitation.
New Challenges and the Critique of Corporate Ethics
Contemporary ethical dilemmas are amplified by technology. Artificial intelligence raises questions about algorithmic bias and the diffusion of responsibility, while digital transformation creates the precariat – a new class of workers lacking stability. Simultaneously, the role of the consumer grows, whose choices and often conscious ignorance support unethical practices. Transparency and ideas such as fair trade aim to shift part of the responsibility to daily purchasing decisions.
In response to criticism, businesses promote concepts such as ESG or conscious capitalism. However, critics like Rawls, Pogge, and Habermas warn that without real systemic changes and authentic dialogue, ethics becomes a facade and a marketing tool. There is a risk that in a world devoid of transcendental references, ethics becomes merely a substitute for religion – a collection of managerial slogans, detached from deeper moral tradition.
Conclusion
In a world where the lines between morality and profit are increasingly blurred, ethics cannot be merely a collection of corporate slogans. It must become a living practice, rooted in authentic dialogue and concern for the common good. It becomes less a ready-made set of rules and more the art of navigating conflicting interests. Can we find an ethical compass in the labyrinth of global dependencies before market logic consumes the last bastions of justice?
📄 Full analysis available in PDF
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between universalism and relativism in global business ethics?
Universalism assumes the existence of objective, globally binding moral norms (hypernorms), while cultural relativism holds that morality is always a product of local culture and there are no universal standards for judging practices.
What are 'hypernorms' and why are they crucial in the context of global ethics?
Hypernorms are fundamental principles, such as the prohibition of slavery or torture, that aim to transcend cultural boundaries. They provide a moral floor for global business, defining boundaries that must not be crossed, regardless of local customs.
What are the threats of cultural relativism in business practice?
Pure cultural relativism can become an alibi for ethical opportunism and exploitation, preventing the condemnation of practices such as child labour or bribery if they are accepted in a given cultural context, leading to a crisis of dignity and justice.
What is 'race to the bottom' and how does it affect global supply chains?
'Race to the bottom' is a process in which corporations, striving to minimize costs, relocate production to countries with weaker regulations. This results in a systematic degradation of working conditions, lowering safety standards, and concealing problems in supply chains, which impacts the most vulnerable.
How does covenant ethics differ from standard contractual ethics?
The covenant ethic assumes mutual and long-term responsibility, viewing the contract as the beginning of a relationship based on cooperation and trust. Unlike the cynical "let the buyer beware" approach, it promotes participation and caring for one's partner, which is crucial to breaking the vicious cycle of exploitation.
What role do consumers play in building ethical responsibility of companies?
Consumers have significant responsibilities; their choices and brand loyalty influence company practices. Transparency and fair trade initiatives aim to cut through the fog of ignorance and shift some of the ethical burden to everyday purchasing decisions, which can put pressure on companies.
