Tag: responsibility

mea culpa? (via hbd* chick)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

The idea of the rational man has always been a bit of an exaggeration. However, it has been a useful idea. The American court system often rest on the idea of the “reasonable man.” And that idea has functioned well incorporating contemporary social beliefs informally into the legal system.

The idea of the rational buyer has permeated American economics. It has bizarre elements. For instance, it assumes that buyers make rational decisions even in the face of advertising. It assumes that buyers recalculate safety risks to maintain the same level of safety, etc. It also is useful, but mainly for protecting business from criticism.

It would be extremely difficult to develop a criminal justice system that takes a perpetrator’s reasoning into consideration. But that it is difficult does not mean it should be done. It would add depth and power to punishment and social control.

It needs development, but I think it can be done.

James Pilant

great article in the telegraph: “The human brain: turning our minds to the law” “Our understanding of the way the brain works could help us create a better legal system, says neuroscientist David Eagleman…. “The problem is that the law rests on two assumptions that are charitable, but demonstrably false. The first is that people are practical reasoners, which is the law’s way of saying that they are capable of acting in alignment with their b … Read More

via hbd* chick

Introducing The Siren’s Who’s Who Directory (via The Siren’s Little Red Book of Secrets)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

I doubt that I can surprise anyone with the news that the internet is a dangerous place. From time to time I try to put up a warning of a recent scam or scheme to take people’s money. I hope they have a good effect.

In this case, a victim shares his story. This kind of story is more effective in my mind in warning people and in passing on wisdom, wisdom seldom being free.

Nevertheless, it takes considerable courage in this society to admit you are wrong, that you were taken. The author has my admiration for his moral courage and I appreciate his help in stopping these kinds of internet schemes.

James Pilant

Ok, I admit it. I was duped. My kid was running around yelling, tormenting the dog, and locking himself in to computer cabinet. I wasn’t totally thinking and it sounded good. Today’s lesson only cost me $9.95 and a cancelled credit card. I don’t really use that card anyway. The lesson is about our desire to feel successful and accomplished, to be recognized for our achievements. It is also about mindful response and finding humor in our mistakes. … Read More

via The Siren’s Little Red Book of Secrets

Corporate Social Responsiblity – Is it real? (via Kilnen’s Thought)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

I appreciated this article. I among many who have serious doubts about CSR. There are some authors who believe the term is so undefinable to be useless.

It may be used to green the company’s issue when there is no real justification. That’s where my suspicion lies. The company takes something it is already doing it, gives it an environmental angle and then explains to the world in best corporate flack manner, how they “give back.”

It’s just taking under a PR screen.

James Pilant

Thanks! to Kilnen’s Thought!

Corporate Social Responsiblity - Is it real? So what is CSR? It basically means giving back to society, through environment or social projects. I have been research CSR recently and have surprise by the amount of businesses that claim to carry out this process. From KLM producing fuel-efficient winglets to co-operative fair trade. Everyone and their dog seems to be interested. However, it always appears to benefit the company first and society second. I mean, what a surprise that KLM’s wing … Read More

via Kilnen’s Thought

Why Business Books Are Helplessly Helpless (via ringingtruenovel)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

I enjoyed this essay. I have never been impressed by most business books. The ones I generally read are stories of business collapse, business crimes and business biographies.

I teach business law and I find most of the “how to get ahead in business books” to be mainly nonsense.

The author doesn’t like business book much either and writes about it well.

I recommend you read it.

James Pilant

Why Business Books Are Helplessly Helpless I’ve had a few real jobs that required me to read extensively in the genre of business books. Correction: I’ve had a few real jobs that required me to skim business books. It’s impossible to actually read a business book, because there’s so little there there. When I have to read one, I skip to the end of a chapter and pray that th … Read More

via ringingtruenovel

Responsible leadership: “move beyond the smell, sleep and newspaper test.” (via Thefutureleadershipinitiative)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

There are hundreds, thousands of posts on business ethics. Only a few are thoughtful and only a very few directly deal with the philosophy of business. This is one of those.

I was very impressed. If you have any interest in business ethics philosophically, this is the best writing on the subject I have seen in many weeks.

James Pilant

“Aligning self-interest to social responsibility is the most powerful way to sustaining a company’s success,” says Starbucks’ CEO Orin Smith. A larger notion of responsibility is moving to the centre of business leadership in the 21st Century. We’re moving away from the Milton Friedman adagio “live up to the law and maximize shareholder wealth”.  Why is that? When is leadership truly responsible? And how to lead responsibly? Thomas Maak and Nicol … Read More

via Thefutureleadershipinitiative

In Defense of Our Legacy. (via Vox Populi, Vox Nēminis)

On By southwerkIn Teaching

I was delighted to read this posting about the importance of the study of history. Our gallant author here is confronted with a problem I have faced many times: “I’m just here to study business. I’ll never use any of this other stuff.” There are many students who have that belief, the idea that anything not directly related to working is a waste of time.

A human with a job skill can work at a job. A human with an education can serve as a citizen and fully operating human being able to understand the forces surrounding him. Those forces being the historical, the literary, the other arts, and the beliefs that lay beneath our veneer of civilization. Work is important but it is only one factor is a life well lived.

This author writes a good essay. I recommend you visit the blog and see what else is said there.

James Pilant

The busy halls buzzed with activity, and hummed with the pressing weight of so many voices. I stood across from a new friend, a young man I met in one of my classes. “So, why do you dislike history so much?” I asked. My friend grimaced, and made a slightly exasperated sigh. “For the same reason I dislike Calculus so much. I’m just going in to business, I don’t need it. I will never use it in the real world. “That is ridiculous,” I said. “you will … Read More

via Vox Populi, Vox Nēminis

Who Is Responsible For Our Financial Crisis?

On By southwerkIn business ethics

002-1Who Is Responsible For Our Financial Crisis?

Dylan Rattigan nails it (from the November 25, 2009 program, Morning Meeting):

Exactly and more importantly making sure that we identify who burned the house (the house being the American economy) down, who made themselves rich burning the house down, getting the money back from those who made themselves rich burning the house down, punishing those who burned the house down and then building a new house that doesn’t allow people who like to burn houses down to build them. And they’re acting like the house fire was an accident and I think that’s where you run into a lot of problems.

There has been a continuous failure of the Obama Administration to place blame or establish penalties for the long term financial wrong doing that created the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. Without accountability what reason do those who have profited so much from hurting so many to stop their actions?

James Pilant