The chapter consists of three parts, apart from this introduction.
First, we will outline the possible structural relations between ethics and CSR.
We present three different approaches to CSR, namely (a) an instrumental approach, (b) an ethical approach and (c) a hybrid approach, attempting to combine (a) and (b).
Second, we introduce some of the most influential ethical theories and their key principles,
namely (a) the utilitarian principle of maximizing well-being, (b) theories of rights,
and (c) social contract principles concerning fairness, and discuss how they might relate to CSR in general. Third, we present and discuss some specific ethical challenges characteristic for CSR. We focus on two important questions, namely:
(a) whether companies should focus solely on avoiding harmful actions, i.e. respect negative rights, or whether they also have obligations to actively do good, e.g. by promoting positive rights and (b) the scope of companies’ obligations, i.e. which stakeholders (or other groups) they are obligated towards and to what degree.