Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a modern way of conducting business that started in the 1950s and has continued to grow in popularity ever since. Although there are several naysayers who believe CSR is ineffective and detrimental to the marketplace, there are also many arguments that emphasize the benefits of a business strategy built on social and environmental responsibility. With consumers, employees and investors who are more concerned than ever before about corporate decisions and how they influence society, it might be in a corporation's best interest to take these concerns to heart and change the way they do business. I analyze the arguments for and against CSR and observe how CSR has changed and continues to change since its beginnings.