Rebuttal to a Subjectivist Critique of an Objectivist Approach to Integrity in Organizations

In their critique of Becker's article on integrity in organizations, Barry and Stephens argue that the Objectivist approach is illegitimate, inferior to subjectivist perspectives of business ethics, and unmindful of the role of social power in organizations. We respond to these criticisms by demonstrating that Barry and Stephens' critique rests upon the fallacious argument from authority, a misunderstanding of altruism and egoism, and a failure to distinguish between economic and social power. In so doing, we explain why the Objectivist perspective is valid and why it is superior to subjective, relativistic misconceptions of integrity.