Baruch College Professor Scott Newbert Receives Abraham J. Briloff Prize for Ethics

October 16, 2018

Scott L. Newbert, PhD, the Lawrence N. Field Chair in Entrepreneurship and academic director of the Lawrence N. Field Center programs at the Zicklin School of Business received the Abraham J. Briloff Prize for Ethics at the 2018 Baruch College Faculty Convocation.

Dr. Newbert was among a distinguished number of faculty whose professional achievements were recognized through Presidential Excellence Awards, Guggenheim Fellowships, and other honors.

Dr. Newbert received the​ Briloff Prize in recognition of his article “Achieving Social and Economic Equality by Unifying Business and Ethics: Adam Smith as the Cause of and Cure for the Separation Thesis,” published in the Journal of Management Studies in 2018.

In his article, Dr. Newbert argues that the widespread misconception that 18th century economist and philosopher Adam Smith​ advocated a purely self-interested form of capitalism has resulted in the vast social and economic inequalities we have experienced since Smith’s time. In response, Dr. Newbert argues that Smith’s writings actually suggest that broad-based social and economic prosperity ​can only result by striking an appropriate balance between self-interest and concern for others.​

“The Briloff Prize is a testament to the importance Baruch College places on understanding how ethics both informs and is informed by one’s professional life,” said Newbert. “I am honored to have had my research recognized by the committee this year and am grateful for the generosity of Charles R. Dreifus who has made this prize possible, and for Abraham J. Briloff, who was the inspiration for it.”

The Abraham J. Briloff Prizes in Ethics are intended to stimulate scholarship in the field of ethics, with an emphasis on ethics in professional life. The prizes are funded by a gift from alumnus Charles R. Dreifus, (’66, MBA ’73) in honor of Abraham J. Briloff, Emmanuel Saxe Distinguished Professor of Accountancy Emeritus. The prizes are awarded annually to a faculty member who has written an important topical article, essay or book on ethics and to a student or students who have written an outstanding research paper or essay, also as it relates to current events.

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