ABSTRACT

P ublic relations discourse in relation to corporate social responsibility tends toutilise language and concepts derived from ethical doctrines such as utilitarian-ism, Kantianism and ‘rights’ theories. This leads to significant claims for corporate social responsibility programmes. For example, businesses maintain that such activity is a recognition of the duties and responsibilities that companies have to the wider community, or that they contribute to the common good by benefiting both the company and society. This chapter will explore the nature of the ethical doctrines which business appeals to, the debate concerning corporate social responsibility in particular, and how corporate social responsibility is justified in practice.