The Ethical Optimist

Why bother with ethics when being unethical is so much more fun?

After years of preaching ethics in the workplace, I’ve finally had it.  What’s the point?  Ethics makes no sense when considered logically.

Machiavelli’s “It’s better to be feared than loved” theory, an ideology I’ve always embraced, conflicts with my lifelong love affair with business ethics.  And, I’ve decided it’s finally time to choose one or the other.  Well, Machiavelli seems much more appealing to me.

Ethics, when compared with Machiavelli’s theory, just does not size up.  Why be nice and succeed when you can be ruthless and triumphant?  After all, some of the most famous figures in history have embraced Machiavelli over ethics and it turned out alright for them.  For example, Genghis Khan, Napoleon, and George W. Bush all put ethics aside and they wound up in charge.  Wouldn’t you agree?

One might say I’ve had an epiphany.  An awakening of sorts… But don’t be too congratulatory or I’ll construe it as a sign of weakness.

You can visit my new blog at www.RealisticPessimistBlog.com

By the way, Happy April Fools Day!