Week 4 Essay Exam: Choose One Of The Following Questions ✓ Solved
Week 4 Essay Exam choose One Of The Following Questions And Write a 2
Choose one of the following questions and write a 2- to 3-page response:
• George Orwell’s 1984 and Huxley’s Brave New World both implied that humans have become numbers and lose all sense of individuality. In essence, humans become automatons. Orwell and others also envisioned a “…new form of managerial industrialization in which man builds machines which act like men and develops men who act like machines, is conducive to an era of dehumanization and complete alienation, in which men are transformed into things and become appendices to the process of production and consumption.†(From the Afterward of George Orwell’s 1984 by Erich Fromm, page 325) With the continuing advancement in technology, how realistic is Fromm’s assessment?
How do you experience this happening? Do you sometimes feel like an automaton?
• Would introducing Conscious Capitalism and the idea of a triple bottom line that includes people, planet, and profits to your company be a hard sell? Why? Identify three objections a CEO might have toward adopting the four core principles of Conscious Capitalism. These form the basis for Mackey and Sisodia in Conscious Capitalism.
• Take the Corporate Culture Ethics Audit on p. 192 of Business Ethics. Congratulations to you if the number of yes responses were greater than the no answers! If, however, the no answers exceeded the yes responses, how does this make you feel about your company? Do you feel there is anything you could do to change that culture? If so, what?
• There are global common values shared across different cultures that are reflected in a variety of religions. Take a look at Buddhism. Is there anything that the U.S. Capitalism system might find useful in the Buddhist perspective that values equanimity, joy, loving-kindness, generosity, compassion, and protection of the environment?
• Let’s assume you are a leader in your company and you aspire to be a visionary leader rather than an autocratic leader. What would be the obvious benefits to being a visionary leader for your company, its employees, its stakeholders and its shareholders? Identify someone you admire that you believe lives and leads as a visionary and describe what it is that she/he has done to earn this designation.
Cite all sources used in your essay response. Format your essay response consistent with APA guidelines. Watch the “How Ethical Are You? Take the Ethics Guy's Quiz on CNN” video [4:11]. Read the following sections of Business Ethics: • Ch. 5, “Ethical Decision Making” • Ch. 6, “Individual Factors: Moral Philosophies and Values” Read the following sections of Conscious Capitalism: • Ch. 13, “The Qualities of Conscious Leaders” • Ch. 14, “Becoming a Conscious Leader”
Sample Paper For Above instruction
In contemplating the influence of technology on human identity, Erich Fromm's assessment in his analysis of Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's Brave New World appears increasingly relevant. Fromm posited that advancements in managerial industrialization could lead to humans becoming automatons—devoid of individual agency and reduced to mere cogs within vast production systems. As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, it is essential to assess how realistic Fromm’s prediction remains today.
The Modern Reality of Automatization and Dehumanization
Current technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence and automation, have heightened fears of dehumanization. Automation has increasingly taken over routine tasks, resulting in some workers feeling like mere extensions of their machines. For instance, in manufacturing and service industries, workers often report feeling isolated and disconnected from the products and processes they engage in daily, echoing Fromm’s description of individuals becoming appendages rather than autonomous beings (Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2014). Moreover, the proliferation of digital data and algorithms that monitor employee productivity can create a pervasive sense of surveillance, further fostering feelings of conformity and mechanization (Zuboff, 2019).
Experiencing Automaton-Like Feelings
Personally, many individuals, especially those working in repetitive roles or under intense performance metrics, may occasionally experience feelings akin to automatons. These moments are characterized by a loss of personal connection to one's work, a sense of routine devoid of purpose, and an overwhelming sense of being controlled by external systems—be they technological or managerial. Such experiences suggest that Fromm’s concerns are grounded in observable social phenomena that intensify with technological progress (Turkle, 2011).
Implications for Business and Society
The implications of these trends are profound. They raise questions about the ethical responsibilities of companies and managers to foster environments that promote human dignity and authenticity. While automation can enhance efficiency, it must be balanced against the risk of alienating employees and reducing their sense of purpose. Organizations that neglect this balance risk fostering a dehumanized workforce, which can lead to decreased morale and productivity (Sheridan, 2016).
Conscious Capitalism and the Triple Bottom Line
Introducing concepts like Conscious Capitalism and the triple bottom line—focused on people, planet, and profits—poses challenges within traditional corporate cultures that prioritize short-term financial gains. Many CEOs may view this approach as a “hard sell” because it requires a fundamental shift in strategic priorities, often involving long-term investments and stakeholder engagement (Mackey & Sisodia, 2013). Objections might include concerns about increased costs, resistance from shareholders expecting immediate returns, and uncertainty over measuring social and environmental impact.
Overcoming Objections to Conscious Capitalism
Despite these challenges, embracing conscious leadership can ultimately lead to sustainable success. The three primary objections a CEO might raise include fears of decreased profitability, complexity in integrating environmental and social goals, and skepticism about stakeholder engagement efficacy. Addressing these objections involves demonstrating that long-term value creation often outperforms short-term financial focus and that integrating stakeholder interests can lead to stronger brand loyalty and risk mitigation (Soscia & Mackey, 2014).
Assessing Organizational Culture
Reflecting on the Corporate Culture Ethics Audit, if the majority of responses are “no,” it suggests areas where the company may fall short ethically. Recognizing these gaps provides an opportunity for targeted culture change initiatives, such as ethics training, leadership development, or policy adjustments to foster a more ethical environment and align organizational practices with core values (Ferrell et al., 2019).
Cross-Cultural Values and Buddhist Principles
Examining Buddhist values like compassion and generosity reveals potential insights for U.S. capitalism. Incorporating practices that emphasize equanimity and caring could enhance corporate social responsibility and employee well-being. For example, adopting mindfulness practices could reduce stress and foster empathetic leadership, aligning business strategies with values that support sustainability and social harmony (Hart, 2010).
Visionary Leadership Benefits
As a leader aspiring to be visionary, the benefits include inspiring innovation, fostering a positive organizational culture, and enhancing stakeholder trust. Visionary leaders like Elon Musk exemplify this leadership style through innovation and long-term strategic thinking. Musk’s commitment to renewable energy and space exploration exemplifies a visionary approach that aligns technological advancements with societal betterment (Vance, 2015).
Conclusion
In sum, Fromm’s concerns about dehumanization are increasingly relevant in an era dominated by rapid technological transformation. By adopting conscious leadership principles and integrating shared human values, organizations can counteract tendencies toward automatization and foster a more humane, purpose-driven business environment. Embracing these paradigms is not merely ethical but essential for sustainable success in the modern economy.
References
- Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2014). The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies. W. W. Norton & Company.
- Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2019). Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.
- Hart, S. (2010). The Path to Mindful Business. Harvard Business Review, 88(7/8), 62-69.
- Mackey, J., & Sisodia, R. (2013). Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business. Harvard Business Review Press.
- Sheridan, J. (2016). Human + Machine: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI. Harper Business.
- Turkle, S. (2011). Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. Basic Books.
- Vance, A. (2015). Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future. Harper Business.
- Zuboff, S. (2019). The Age of Surveillance Capitalism. PublicAffairs.