Philosophical Conception of Social Responsibility in the Writings of Walter Lippmann

Abstract

The article is an attempt to indicate philosophical aspects of the concept of social responsibility which can be found in the writings of Walter Lippmann. There is a short overview of relevant elements of the author’s biography in connection with his philosophical works. Then, the term social responsibility and its evolution in the period when Lippmann’s works were written is described with the emphasis on the cultural and historical background. In the next part, two approaches to the concept of social responsibility in business, which can be found in Lippmann’s works, are presented. The first one refers to the theory of social economy put forward by the author. The other one is related to a specific definition of the society. Social, philosophical and economic theories which were contemporary for the author and which could have potentially underpinned his ideas are indicated as well. Some solutions and proposals suggested by Lippmann are typical of the discussed era whereas others seem to be innovative.