Abstract
This chapter argues that, for a person to be “without conscience,” they would be to exist in a purely “economically rational” state, devoid of empathy, emotion and purely focused on self-interest. Such a person would be “homo economicus,” the perfectly logical decision-maker used by neo-classical economists in their modeling of human economic behavior. This is someone whose only aim in life is to maximize profit, gain, and self-satisfaction. An organization with similar aims would operate on the same terms and would similarly be without a conscience. This chapter argues that business without conscience would lead to organizational destruction and/or environmental catastrophe and is consequently unsustainable. The screening of people without conscience—referred to in psychology as psychopaths—away from organizational leadership positions is therefore recommended and could be achieved via the appointment of caring, empathetic individuals to leadership.
