Flishback: I Like How This John Mackey Guy Thinks

Following up on The Philosophy Behind Whole Foods (May 26th): Here's a debate in which libertarian businessman, John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods sticks up for his philosophy of socially-responsible business. He mixes it up with another libertarian businessman, Cypress Semiconductor CEO, T.J. Rodgers, who claims businesses need not engage in any philanthropy. (Curiously, Cypress engages in some major philanthropy anyway, but Rodgers claims he does it for employee morale):

Reason: "Rethinking the Social Responsibility of Business"

Mackey: To extend our love and care beyond our narrow self-interest is antithetical to neither our human nature nor our financial success. Rather, it leads to the further fulfillment of both.

Libertarianism is strictly a political philosophy. It is largely silent on questions of individual morality, on what individuals should be doing with their freedom. John Mackey is a smart guy because he realizes that merely being an advocate of political liberty does not provide an individual with a solid moral basis for living his or her own life, for finding a role in one's community.