Social responsibility: the most important, and neglected, problem of all?

To draw attention to an important but neglected topic, and provide an analysis that will help others to go further into key elements of the theme of social responsibility.

A review of themes previously encountered in a diverse literature.

It is argued that many powerful forces within capitalist‐consumer society militate against social responsibility. In view of looming global justice and sustainability problems the lack of social responsibility points to gloomy prospects for humankind. Yet it is argued that the solution is theoretically simple and three essential themes for the discussion of positive action are considered.

A number of important implications for education and social action are discussed.

The topic seems to have been almost totally overlooked previously, although many works are tangentially related.