Domènec Melé – författare

Humanism in business is not only an alternative to economism but a way to human excellence. Humanism presented here revolves around the rich notion of “human person”, keystone of modern personalist philosophy and Catholic Social Teaching. From this perspective this book is offered to everyone, believer and nonbeliever alike.

 The person-centered humanism considers the human-wholeness, individual and relational, with subjectivity, self-determination, openness to transcendence, and with capacity not only to possess but also to give. It also highlights the uniqueness of each person, endowed with a high constitutive dignity and in continuous process of flourishing toward human plenitude. An attitude of respect and good will is due to non-personal beings, while persons deserve to be treated with justice and even with love of benevolence.

The book is prepared in dialogue with mainstream of thought in business and business ethics and focused on exploring ways to improve some conventional views. It includes some proposals such as a person-based ethics, ethics understood as intrinsic to business activity, the consideration of the company as an organized community of persons, and the purpose of the company oriented toward the common good through a double mission, internal and external. It is also suggested substituting the notion of “stakeholder” for the richer one of “relationholder.”

This book offers different perspectives on Humanism as developed by Catholic Social Teaching, with a particular focus on its relevance in economics and business. The work is composed of three sections, covering what is meant by Christian Humanism, how it links with economic activity, and its practical relevance in the business world of today. It reviews the historical development of Christian Humanism and discusses the arguments which justify it in the current cultural context and how it contributes to human development. The book argues that the current recognition of human dignity and the existence of innate human rights are both ultimately rooted in Christian Humanism. It sets out the importance of the concept for economic activities, and how Christian Humanism can serve as a metaphysical foundation and ethical basis for a social market economy. Applying Christian Humanism to business leads to the centrality of the person in organizations and to seeing the company as a community of persons working together for the common good. Three thought-provoking case studies illustrate the wide-reaching positive impacts of applying Christian Humanism in the organization.​