Theology of the marketplace: Religious perspectives on ethical behavior in a market-based economy (D.Litt Dissertation)

This dissertation argues that, unlike the views of Adam Smith, economic analysis should incorporate both secular ethics and major religious teachings, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hindu, Buddhism, and Confucism. This study seeks to find common elements of acceptable economic behavior between these different religions to arrive at a more comprehensive framework for evaluating economic activity. These religions are in agreement on the disapproval of deception or omission of facts in sales, general standards for treatment of employees, and production or trading of harmful goods. This study attempts to take into account instances where these guidelines are ignored, at times drawing upon examples from international business.