Wirtschaftsethik - quo vadis? «Ist» und «Soll» eines Bindestxichfachs aus protestantischer Perspektive

The article evaluates current discussions about business ethics from a theological perspective. Those discussions are predominantly shaped by economists, while Protestant and Catholic positions are facing an increasing lack of non-theological reception. This seems to be paradoxical as a particular strength of Catholic theology in the 19/20th century was its emphasis on social teaching combined with economic expertise, while Protestant theologians are able to put forward an anthropological approach emphasizing personal responsibility within markets rather than an abstract emphasis on system failure which holds no one responsible. Therefore, it seems promising to re-define the core of anthropological contributions within Christian ethics based on terms like «freedom» and «justice» - while enriching it with a greater insight into markets and economic debates. The fathers of Catholic social teaching such as Oswald von Nell-Breuning are proof that innovative theological attempts can shape how people and societies do business and think about it in terms of ethics. A comparable Prostestant contribution in this discourse is still missing.