One of the approaches that argues that the new coronavirus pandemic cannot be a moral dilemma for the public management is well illustrated in this image, an adaptation1 of the famous ‘trolley problem’2. Notice the back of the track. Here the question of lives x economy is not presented, but lives x lives: (1) Moral […]
Ethics and the rise of sentiments
In 1759, Adam Smith published his book “Theory of Moral Sentiments”. In this book, the Scottish thinker considered that moral actions were guided by sympathy, that is, in the inate human capacity of putting oneself in the place of other people, in choosing to act morally not having in mind what the action can bring […]
Virtues and our relationships
As we reflect on life, personal actions, and the events around us, we wonder what can lead us to a happier life, and we often think that our relationships influence this happiness, as well as how coexistence would be easier and more peaceful if moral issues and ethics were common concerns. When we think of […]
What would be an ethical salary?
UBER, a carrier-to-application company, is planning to make a big bump on its Initial Public Offering (IPO). The expectation is that the company can get an IPO between 100 and 120 billion dollars. A curiosity is that in a prospectus released by the company, UBER reported about 6.8 billion in losses according to the magazine […]
The act of reflection on oneself and an outsourcing of ethical responsibility.
We rarely admit the error and when we do, it usually hurts. The act of recognizing one’s faults is closely connected with a mirror that reflects an image we rarely want to see. It is naturally understandable that the human being, in the majority of the times, will be overestimated, even when this appears camouflaged […]
Public policies and the morality of modern vices
Many public managers, in all spheres of power, are now struggling with the delicate issue of chemical dependency. There are many ways to deal with this problem, from the fight against drug trafficking, to the elaboration of policies for the treatment of people subjugated by drug addiction. In one way or another, each ruler or […]
A note on whaling
The debate on whaling has resurfaced recently. Such a debate, in my opinion, rekindles the question of the ethical status of animals over humans, and raises questions about how they are treated by us. My goal is to express just one point of view on the topic. I want to begin quoting David Hume: from […]
Thoughts About Corruption
Corruption has been a popular and an old issue for rich and poor countries. Although its popularity, it may present different meanings over time and place it arises. With regard to Brazil, it is prevailing to note distinct facts being approached like corruption, particularly in media such as social networks or even in people´s discourses. […]
Morality Policies: What’s the limit?
Public policies have become one of the main ways in which governments interfere in society and modify individual and collective actions in the pursuit of their goals. It is common to think of the different types of public policies from the classification of Theodore Lowi, but several attempts to modify or expand this typology have […]
Black Mirror and death of ethics
Giges was a peasant of sheep, a morally respectable citizen, who worked for the ruler of Lydia. After a great storm and a trembling in the earth, a crater was created in the place where he grazed the flock. In this crater, Giges found a corpse, which had a gold ring in his hand. When […]