"The driving force of capitalism is the attainment of increasing rates of surplus value. This is inevitably exploitative and demeaning of the human condition. This makes an increased awareness of ethics in business practise untenable. Discuss."
The statement comprises of three arguments, or, more specifically, one argument and two consequences. They consist of the type argument 'if A then B' and 'if A and B then C'. In addition there is the request to 'discuss' in the statement. 'Discuss' could only apply to 'C'. In this case 'A' and 'B' would be taken for granted. I cannot easily accept this so I apply 'discuss' to 'A', 'B' and finally 'C' and approach each phrase separately. So I can reveal that 'if A and B then C' is only true under prior assumptions made about 'A' and 'B'.
Chapter A deals with 'A', capitalism. Here I will provide a definition of capitalism containing its characteristics and effects and arrive at the answer as to whether "increasing rates of surplus value" are the "driving force of capitalism".
Chapter B shall examine whether capitalism "is inevitably exploitative and demeaning to the human condition". But before the terms 'exploitation', 'demeaning' and 'human condition’ are discussed, they need to be defined. This chapter contains an analysis how 'capitalism' and 'humans' interact and interfere each other.
Chapter C works on 'untenable (business) ethics'. Ethics, business ethics and their significance for 'humans' and 'capitalism' are presented. The focus here will be on the overlapping areas of 'ethics' with the contents of the other two chapters. The chapter concludes with conditions that fulfil the statement 'if A and B then C', with arguments discussed in light of the essay statement.
But, actually, things are not that easy. The path of argumentation is relatively thin and unsatisfying. That is why the 'findings' section at the end of this essay questions the facts 'if A and B then C'. There are some underlying assumptions that this statement is built on. I will uncover some of these 'granted facts' and try to go one step back. The then broader but also deeper insight into the notions of 'rationality', ‘bureaucracy’ and 'ideology' also mark the turn to my self-reflective essay.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Ethics and capitalism
- 2.1 Capitalism
- 2.2 Human condition
- 2.3 Ethics
- 3 Interim findings
- 4 An attempt to explain the paradox of self-exploitation
- 4.1 Industrialisation and the rise of the modern era
- 4.2 Rationalism and bureaucracy
- 4.3 Ideology and identity
- 5 Me as a manager
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The objective of this work is to analyze the complex relationship between capitalism, ethics, and self-exploitation. It examines the assertion that the pursuit of surplus value in capitalism is inherently exploitative and detrimental to the human condition, thereby rendering ethical business practices untenable. The paper further explores the author's personal reflection on management and its evolution through self-reflection.
- The nature and driving forces of capitalism.
- The concept of exploitation and its impact on the human condition within a capitalist framework.
- The role and feasibility of ethics in capitalist business practices.
- The paradox of self-exploitation and its relation to industrialization, rationality, and ideology.
- Self-reflection on management and its future implications.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter lays out the framework for the essay, which tackles the assertion that the pursuit of increasing surplus value in capitalism is inherently exploitative and undermines the human condition, making ethical business practices unsustainable. The author breaks down the essay prompt into three core arguments (A, B, and C) to systematically address each component. Chapter A examines the nature of capitalism and its driving forces, Chapter B analyzes whether capitalism is inherently exploitative, and Chapter C explores the feasibility of ethical business practices within a capitalist system. The author acknowledges potential limitations in the argument and previews a later reflective section questioning underlying assumptions.
2 Ethics and capitalism: This chapter delves into the relationship between ethics and capitalism. Section 2.1 defines capitalism, outlining its essential features: accumulation of industrial capital, private ownership of the means of production, and a free market system. The chapter explores the concept of the "economic man" – a purely self-interested individual driven by maximizing utility and profit. Section 2.2 implicitly sets the stage for a discussion on the human condition within a capitalist system, highlighting the tension between individual gain and broader societal well-being. Section 2.3 paves the way for a later analysis of the compatibility of ethical considerations within the inherent dynamics of capitalism. The chapter builds a foundation for the later examination of the central argument regarding exploitation and ethics.
4 An attempt to explain the paradox of self-exploitation: This chapter attempts to unpack the paradox of self-exploitation. Section 4.1 situates this paradox within the historical context of industrialization and the rise of the modern era. Section 4.2 delves into the roles of rationalism and bureaucracy in shaping societal structures and individual behavior within capitalist systems. Section 4.3 examines the influence of ideology and identity formation on individual actions and motivations within these structures. Overall, the chapter provides a critical analysis of underlying societal factors that contribute to the complex dynamics of self-exploitation within a capitalist framework.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Capitalism, ethics, surplus value, exploitation, human condition, self-exploitation, industrialization, rationalism, bureaucracy, ideology, identity, management, reflexivity, self-reflection, modernism, post-modernism.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this academic text?
This academic text analyzes the complex interplay between capitalism, ethics, and self-exploitation. It examines whether the pursuit of profit in capitalism inherently leads to exploitation and is detrimental to the human condition, thereby challenging the feasibility of ethical business practices. The author also incorporates personal reflections on management and self-reflection.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
Key themes include the nature and driving forces of capitalism; the concept of exploitation and its impact on the human condition; the role and feasibility of ethics in capitalist business practices; the paradox of self-exploitation and its relationship to industrialization, rationalism, and ideology; and self-reflection on management.
What is the structure of the text?
The text is structured into several chapters. It begins with an introduction outlining the core arguments. A chapter on ethics and capitalism defines key terms and explores the relationship between individual gain and societal well-being. A significant chapter attempts to explain the paradox of self-exploitation within historical, societal, and ideological contexts. The text also includes a reflective section on management and its implications, concluding with keywords summarizing the key concepts.
What are the chapter summaries?
The introduction lays out the framework for analyzing the assertion that capitalism's pursuit of surplus value is inherently exploitative. The chapter on "Ethics and Capitalism" defines capitalism and explores the tension between individual gain and societal well-being. The chapter on "Self-Exploitation" examines this paradox within historical, rational, and ideological contexts. The text also features a reflective section on management and its implications.
What are the objectives of this work?
The objective is to analyze the relationship between capitalism, ethics, and self-exploitation. It aims to examine whether the pursuit of surplus value in capitalism is inherently exploitative and detrimental to the human condition, rendering ethical business practices unsustainable. The author also reflects on their experience in management and its evolution through self-reflection.
What keywords best describe this text?
Keywords include: Capitalism, ethics, surplus value, exploitation, human condition, self-exploitation, industrialization, rationalism, bureaucracy, ideology, identity, management, reflexivity, self-reflection, modernism, post-modernism.
What is the scope of the analysis in this text?
The analysis covers the philosophical and societal aspects of capitalism, exploring its inherent contradictions and tensions. It examines the historical context of industrialization and the role of ideology in shaping individual behavior within capitalist systems. It also includes a personal reflection, adding a subjective element to the analysis.
Who is the intended audience for this text?
The intended audience appears to be academic, given its structured approach, in-depth analysis, and use of specialized terminology. It is suitable for researchers and students studying themes related to capitalism, ethics, sociology, and management.
- Quote paper
- Christian Bacher (Author), 2005, Capitalism, Ethics and the Paradoxon of Self-exploitation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/51703
