Freewill and Determinism

Viktor Frankl (1905–1995) once said: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Dr. Viktor Frankl was a Jewish Austrian neurologist and psychologist who survived the concentration camps during World War II. Frankl had his opinion on human freedom. Respond to the following questions:

Explain whether you agree with Frankl’s opinion that it is important for a person to have the freedom to choose one’s attitude in a given set of circumstances and to choose one’s own way.

Describe a personal example in a business setting that supports your explanation. For instance, you might want to discuss situations where employees have a voice in the decision making process.

To what extent you believe that freedom or the right to choose is important from an ethical perspective and how does this choice impact business success?

Reading:

Terris, Daniel. (2005) Ethics at Work: Creating Virtue at an American Corporation. Brandeis University Press. Waltham, MA. Retrieved from ProQuest ebrary. Pages 76-116.

Gnazzo, P. J. (2011). The Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer: A Test of Endurance. Business & Society Review (00453609), 116(4). Retrieved from Trident University Library.

Mihelic, K. K., Lipicnik, B., & Tekavcic, M., (2010). Ethical leadership. International Journal of Management and Information Systems, 14(5), 31-41. Retrieved from the Trident Online Library.

Oates, V., & Dalmau, Tim. (2013). INSTILLING ETHICAL LEADERSHIP. Accountancy SA, 38-41. Retrieved from the Trident Online Library.

Pratt, M. G., & Rafaeli, A. (1997). Organizational dress as a symbol of multilayered social identities. Academy of Management Journal, 40(4), 862-898.

Dellinger, K. (2002). Wearing Gender and Sexuality ‘On Your Sleeve’: Dress Norms and the Importance of Occupational and Organizational Culture at Work. Gender Issues, 20(1), 3.

Rafaeli, A., & Pratt, M. G. (1993). Tailored meanings: On the meaning and impact of organizational dress. Academy of Management.the Academy of Management Review, 18(1), 32.

Taylor, J. (2014). Organizational Culture and the Paradox of Performance Management. Public Performance & Management Review, 38(1), 7-22.