Ethics in Gothic Form: John Ruskin and Ethics of Entrepreneurship

Jean Clarke, Robin Holt

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference abstract in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    In this paper we introduce John Ruskin’s writings on the value of gothic architecture, using his study of mediaeval gothic craftwork as a means to reflect on the ethical potential of new organizational form. Ruskin understood gothic architecture emerging from the co-operative, on-going and expressive activity of workers explicitly committed to cultivating growth that sustains community life, functionally, intellectually and emotionally. As such ‘gothic’ served as a template for ethical organization. In this paper we examine these ideas in the context of entrepreneurship, often viewed as individualistic, self-serving and opportunistic, so the antithesis of Ruskin’s gothic. In line with Ruskin’s call to examine ethics as lived human experience, we employ a phenomenological approach to understand entrepreneurship as a ‘gothic’ condition, focusing on the everyday activity of twenty entrepreneurs. Our findings suggest that whilst the entrepreneurs were alive to the importance of commercial return, they demonstrated further concern for, and commitment to, collective production and consumption activities that enabled them to create and judge the conditions for “good labour”. We argue Ruskin’s work on gothic offers a means to understand what it is about entrepreneurial work that makes us human, that which ‘gives to life’.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the Eightieth Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management
    EditorsGuclu Atinc
    Number of pages1
    Place of PublicationBriarcliff Manor, NY
    PublisherAcademy of Management
    Publication date2020
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2020
    EventThe Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2020: Broadening Our Sight - Virtual
    Duration: 7 Aug 202011 Aug 2020
    Conference number: 80
    https://aom.org/events/annual-meeting/past-annual-meetings/2020-broadening-our-sight

    Conference

    ConferenceThe Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2020
    Number80
    LocationVirtual
    Period07/08/202011/08/2020
    Internet address
    SeriesAcademy of Management Proceedings
    ISSN0065-0668

    Cite this