Abstract
Preface“Has there ever been a robust history of corporate responsibility – a platform for looking toward the social and economic future?”“No, Harry,” I said, “I don’t think so, but I’ll confirm that for you if you like.”“All right, and if you confirm it, would you consider actually doing such a history if I provide the resources and stay out of the way? It should be an objective, nonideological account of corporate responsibility. If business is going to be a driver for positive social change in the future, we have got to understand its past.”“But Harry, I’m not a trained historian. I’m a philosopher.”“Yes, I know,” he said, “but I would like you to consider taking this on nonetheless!”A question, some reluctance, then persistence, acceptance, enthusiasm. This was the genesis in 2004 of the project that has led to this volume. It was born of the determination of a successful, tough-minded business leader and the eventual passion of a practical philosopher.“Harry” was Harry Halloran, a Philadelphia entrepreneur whose philanthropic foundation gave a major gift to the University of St. Thomas in 2007 to make the history project possible.The moment of acceptance, however, raised a bundle of questions:The history of what?Was it to be a history of business or corporate behavior?Was it to be the history of an idea — “corporate responsibility”?Would it also be a history of certain academic disciplines?Was it to be a world history or an American history?