Geryk, Marcin2019-09-252019-09-252013-01-052012http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12424/188729We can read about the issue of responsibility for one’s actions as far back as in ancient writings. In his works Aristotle stresses the significance of ethical action. He emphasizes the appropriate use of material goods and he calls justice an ethical virtue. In the modern times the importance of personal choice and values have been pointed out by J.P. Sartre. Elements of responsibility for acting in accordance with the precept of norms which stem from the human nature can be found, among others, in K. Wojtyła’s “Ethical Primer” (Wojtyła, 1999, pp. 38-39). It is difficult to assume the existence of one universal ethics for the whole world. However, all human kind relies on certain assumptions of certain ethical systems. This view is shared by R.C. Salomon, who says that “there exist many sets of values and rules depending on context, society or subculture” (Sartre, 2007). Other authors, such as A. Lewicka-Strzałecka, claim that “responsibility is a category with a cognitive and practical quality for the analysis of economic life” (A. Lewicka-Strzałecka, 2006). The business and society theory presented by S.L. Wartick and P.L. Cochran presents a critical attitude towards the neoclassical tradition of an economy based on growth, which assumes that business actions which ensure gaining a maximal profit, within legal regulations, are the only responsibility business bears before society (Wartick, Cochran, 1985, pp. 758-769). Multidimensional actions undertaken in accordance with Wartick and Cochran’s model of social action not only increase competitive advantage but also create an added value for society.engWith permission of the license/copyright holdersocial responsibility, challenge, commitment, economic lifeCultural ethicsCommunity ethicsLifestyle ethicsEducation and ethicsConference proceedings