Sapere aude!
THE FACTS OF THE CASE: Elizabeth Stern was not infertile, but had multiple sclerosis and she and her husband William Stern were worried about the potential health implications of pregnancy, including temporary paralysis, and transmitting genes that might put a child who shared them at risk of developing the same illness. The Sterns and Mary Beth... Continue Reading →
THE FACTS OF THE CASE: The English yacht Mignonette was a 52-foot cruiser built in 1867. In 1883, Australian lawyer John Henry Want paid a crew to sail it from England to Australia. Due to the nature of the journey, the yacht was not suited for the high seas, so a crew was hard to... Continue Reading →
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When asked “what would you do?” when the Gestapo is at the door asking if you are harboring any Jews, the answer is actually a simple ethical answer to a simple ethical question (Paul and Elder, 25). Lie! Lie to the officer, slam the door and go enjoy some lekach with your new Jewish friends.... Continue Reading →
In a fascinating research paper coming out of Lithuania, the authors Kristina Kersive and Asta Savaneviciene use several researched conclusions regarding organizational competence formation and management. This compilation of scientific studies focus on cross-cultural management to lead managers to a better understanding of cross-cultural integration. This integration of the organizational culture and the culture of... Continue Reading →
The Trolley Problem is a (now) classic problem that forces people to make a serious moral decision. The general format of the problem is as follows: You are alone at the controls of a runaway trolley barreling toward five people who would most certainly die. The brakes and controls (horn, doors, etc) do not work... Continue Reading →
Organizations, especially in a bureaucratic sense, seem to be faceless and machine-like. When one images how the IRS processes tax returns, one might imagine a huge robotic, emotionless, Ford Factory-like production line of paper pushers in suits. It is like a machine in its operation, but just as Bolman and Deal explains in Reframing Organizations,... Continue Reading →
It was Summer 1924, and Max Brod was in Franz Kafka’s office. Kafka died of tuberculosis in Austria leaving his dear friend, Brod, two written requests. Brod sat down at Kafka’s paper strewn desk, moving stacks of writings to make room. The first note, undated written in pen read: Dearest Max, My last request: Everything... Continue Reading →
An interesting part of human behavior is the way we learn and share stories or lessons. Taking this observation and applying it to the history of any people, one will find that metaphors, symbols, and similes are everywhere - ingrained into our language and culture. To define these terms in my own words, metaphors and... Continue Reading →
“Man is born free, and he is everywhere in chains” Jean-Jacques Rousseau There are many issues plaguing modern society and, as throughout history, thinkers often ponder and debate solutions. They may treat each issue in isolation, but problems often have common roots in inequality which can be treated collectively with what Enlightenment philosophers call a... Continue Reading →
[NOTE: On my old blog I wrote a series on Thomas Jefferson regarding hatred toward him, his views on slavery and religion, and the Sally Hemmings scandal. The goal was to address misinformation about the best most intelligent United States President. Here is the series in full - C.B. Scott] The stereotypical god-like praise for... Continue Reading →
Having been a big Star Wars fan (movies and the now obsolete extended universe, of course), I kept finding deep anti-democratic, anti-liberty, anti-individualist sentiment within the Jedi order – I saw this attitude so often within the original, prequel, and books, it seems almost like a theme for the Jedi. When one sees the immoral,... Continue Reading →
“This is the story of how a new nation, saddled with war debt and desperate to establish credibility, was challenged by four Muslim powers. Our merchant ships were captured and the crews enslaved. Despite its youth, America would do what established western powers chose not to do: stand up to intimidation and lawlessness.” In America’s... Continue Reading →
As I was finishing The Mind of the Market by Michael Shermer (of which I have a signed copy), I was having a discussion with a fellow business major. This hard-headed, toddler-like buffoon was no stranger to less than critical thinking – but since he asked about the book I was reading, I told him.... Continue Reading →
There are very few books that earn a place on my bookshelf. I have 3 bookshelfs, but I have one shelf that hangs right over my desk that holds my absolute favorite, thought provoking books. Even then, there are some that seem to stand out - but none can match Letters to a Young Contrarian... Continue Reading →
"There's no real memorial to him in his country of birth. There's no day that honors him. He's not taught in schools. There's no real memorial to him in his country of adoption tough he is really the unofficial founding father and, undoubtedly, the moral author of the Declaration of Independence" - Christopher Hitchens in... Continue Reading →
The principles laid down in America’s founding was a product of the Enlightenment Era and focused on scientific inquiry, individuality, and of course liberty. But the failing in the application of the America’s founding principles of liberty did not grant minorities the same rights. Though the founding fathers understood the importance of individual liberty, they... Continue Reading →
This piece was published in PA Times Online February 12, 2020 and can be seen here. Motivation, for most, lies in monetary gain - but it is not just pay raises that keep employees motivated.[1] People naturally have a need for equality in their work and social circles because while “no two humans are biologically... Continue Reading →
As with any field of study, there needs to be defined and uniform standards with which to research and expand the realm of knowledge of the field. The same is true for the field of public administration. But, it is often argued, that because public administration is arguably in its infancy, it lacks a uniform... Continue Reading →
"One should never miss an opportunity to celebrate the enlightenment or to mock priestcraft and the worship of mediocre princes and tycoons" - Christopher Hitchens
C. B. Scott, MPA 