From administrative humanism to the awareness of anomalies: the role of the human sciences

Abstract

Purpose

The first purpose of this paper is to show that the so‐called “Administrative Humanitarian” is not a derivation from the “Human Science”. It is really derivated from “Antroprocentrismo” innocence, echo, at the same time from Geocentrismo. The second purpose of this paper is to explain why in the administrative humanitarian, while the human being in productive organization is, in a rhetoric way, “the center” of all, denies its essence on practices related to the act of work.

Design/methodology/approach

To support these two purposes, the paper suggests a brief presentation of the different “humanitarians” that really exist. Some of them, the “Christian Humanitarian” and the “Liberal Laïco Humanitarian” and other human sciences including organization studies before it goes through some considerations about the up‐to‐date promises, related to the cultural project of the “Administrative Humanitarian” and its ideal.

Findings

This paper is challenging traditional humanism and is denouncing discrepancies between discourses and action. If one observes the contemporary business world, one might conclude that the humanist paradigm in business administration is in crisis, since it is incapable of explaining the lack of correspondence between what is preached and what is practised in reality.

Originality/value

This paper belongs to a long tradition, which is still marginal is administrative science. This is why such a position should be important for further researches.

Citation

Cruz Kronfly, F. (2006), "From administrative humanism to the awareness of anomalies: the role of the human sciences", Society and Business Review, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 28-36. https://doi.org/10.1108/17465680610643328