To become an honorable businessperson, then, requires not only technical training, but also an understanding of wTo become an honorable businessperson, then, requires not only technical training, but also a philosophically grounded understanding of what the purpose of that training is. And that requires drawing on humanities—philosophy, theology, history, literature. Honorable business has enabled unprecedented numbers of people to rise out of poverty, but its potential to reach still further frontiers of human achievement and to address yet further challenges of human life can be realized only if people with the right technical training and the right moral orientation apply themselves with energy, courage, perseverance—and proper direction. Figuring out the proper direction requires drawing on the intellectual resources of the humanities. Properly executed, honorable business can lead, then, not only to increasing prosperity but to mutual respect and mutual recognition of our shared human dignity. That is a philosophically informed, humanities-based conception of moral purpose that can be both inspiring and worthy of dedicating one’s life to. Indeed, so understood, honorable business ought to be understood as a moral calling.hat the purpose of business is.
james otteson