I hate hypothetical questions of nonsensical nature. My
personal un-favorites are ‘What if you..’ It makes me wonder, what does one
test with it. What does one prove with it?
I have seen people making a ruckus over minor things. Maybe,
I gave a rupee to a beggar. Some other day, I did not. I don’t think I should
make a strict rule whether to give alms or not, or for that matter, tip a
waiter, or tell the Rickshaw-walla to keep the change. It’s my money I guess. But,
I guess I am digressing.
What do I stand for? In a Business school, at least a
conscientious one, words like ‘Core values’ ‘ethical obligations’ ‘social
responsibility’ are thrown around so casually that they never do stick, let
alone sink in. I say conscientious, and not sensitive, because, they see a need
and cater to the demand. I am in no position to blame them. I do not know the
complete picture. But the term: ‘Core values’ often gets me thinking.
Core Values: Values at our core. But what is our core? Is it
our brain? Our heart? Our mind? What? What do we mean by values? How many
of these are self adopted and not enforced upon us? How genuinely truthful are
we to ourselves?
I guess values are like reflexes. Given time to think, one
would come up with the best possible response. But the way you respond on a
spinal level: that are your values. And rightfully so. Take a drunken man for
instance. He has chemically shut off his cerebrum! The way he responds is
dictated by his values.
So, can we really affix morality to our values? Because,
morality is often dissected as a hind thought. It has all the time in the world
to judge and be judged. I guess, the exhibition of our values does not have the
liberty of time!
So I guess, I cannot say truly, what I stand for. It is
situational. But I can say this with a reasonable certainty: My values are
test-worthy! But please, Do not attempt to test them with a ‘What If’ question.
As our Professor once said,
“Hypothetical questions will always get you hypothetical answers!”
I do agree with ur intent behind coming up with this question, but some times these 'what if' questions serve as a window to a person's core. Knowingly or unknowingly, he answers to such 'what if' questions and often it reveals his way of thinking. Again, it does not mean that he is gonna do it every time.. I guess 'what if' questions are a good way to start a debate between two persons of the same intellect...Every month we have ethics conferences and such 'what if' questions are brought up and let me be frank, they test ur intellect and conscience at the same time...
ReplyDeleteOn a personal level, they may not matter, you know your true morals...but people often judge your ethical way of thinking base on ur responses to such 'what if' questions...
Now you must have attended many interviews where such questions are brought up....I am not sure how they help in deciding the calibre of the candidate...
To conclude we should ask such questions to ourselves every now and then..may be it's a way of self-cleansing...
I agree! There are a certain limitations in an organization, and it is tactical to hold a 'what if' based ethics session once in a while. It is preparing you for a situation which may arise! What I am against are the nonsensical 'What ifs'. Like say, 'what would you do if you find a pile of cash!'
ReplyDeleteWrote after a long time, so was a bit rusty. The point I wanted to make, was Morals and values are not synonymous!
good one ,
ReplyDeleteeverywhere for values to remain the same , this needs to be added,
ReplyDelete"all other things remaining constant"