ABSTRACT
Some might think the norms of inquiry so obvious that only their constant breach makes their repetition necessary. But inquiry of many forms, scientifi c, philosophical, biomedical, has often been afforded a status, in theory, and sometimes in practice, that shields it from ethical investigation. This is true not only of inquiry. Consider business. It is obvious to many that businessmen and women should adhere to a set of ethical norms that are authoritative for their profession. Yet some deny this. On one conception of business, held by some businesspeople, the primary aim of business is to make money, and ethics be damned. Considerations regarding the “morality” of money making are merely impositions forced upon business by those outside the profession. Given such confl icts, the business profession must ask itself whether there are genuine and authoritative norms that should govern the making and seeking of money.
