Question

1. Friedman distinguishes between the two concepts that (a) businesses really do act in ways to maximize profit and (b) businesses have a moral responsibility (or, as he puts it, a social responsibility) to act to maximize profit. How does he defend the latter position? (See both the Friedman and Sandbu readings)

Answer 1

Explanation:

Friedman defends the position that companies have a social responsibility to act to maximize profit, in the sense that, the primary function of companies is to generate profit. The author goes against the growing opinions in society that companies must have social responsibility, that is, they need to create a positive and sensitive corporate image to please political and society interests and counter or even soften the words and actions its central purpose, which is profit generation. For him, social responsibility cannot be politicized in order to be an obligation of companies, as it limits freedom and interests arising from the business.