Essay on Corporate Social Responsibility: Profit vs. Principle

The Evolution of Corporate Purpose

The modern marketplace is no longer just a site of economic transaction; it is a battleground for competing values. As global challenges such as climate change and systemic inequality intensify, the debate over corporate social responsibility: profit vs. principle has moved to the forefront of ethics philosophy. Historically, the primary goal of any firm was the maximization of shareholder wealth, a focus that prioritized immediate financial returns above all else. However, contemporary society increasingly demands that corporations act as moral agents with obligations that extend beyond the balance sheet. This shift suggests that true responsibility requires a delicate balance between fiduciary duties and social accountability.

The Friedman Doctrine and Shareholder Primacy

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