Embodied and responsive ethical practices: Merleau-Ponty’s contribution to corporeal ethics in organizations

Abstract

Following a phenomenological overview of the body and embodiment, this paper explores corporeal ethics as a practice in organizations. According to the phenomenology of Merleau-Ponty, bodily dimensions and embodied intercorporeality are seen as a medium for ethical and morally responsive, thus responsible, forms of practice and relationship. The article goes on to discuss specific forms of responsive and caring practices as well as the ethical relevance of bodies at work in organizations. Finally, practical, political, and theoretical implications are suggested, along with perspectives for further investigating and incorporating the practice of ethics in organizations.