ABSTRACT
The metaphor of the cornerstone seems most apt. Traditionally the cornerstone was the first stone laid from which all other stones would take as the reference point. Virtue is a behavioural disposition to act towards moral excellence in a persistent way in a variety of situations. Goods that are internal relate to the practices that occur within an organisation in generating services or products that produce benefit beyond the organisation. If a meteor was heading towards the planet, due to hit earth in 30 years’ time, this would be the topic of conversation on everyone’s lips. The notion of the ‘invisible hand’ was conceived after he published his ground-breaking Theory of Moral Sentiments intended to work in tandem with the Wealth of Nations where he assumed that moral boundaries would prevent market actors, such as the baker or the butcher, from pursuing ruthless self-interest.
