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530 BCE
Heraclitus of Ephesus (530 - 470 BC)
Heraclitus defines the nature of change. “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” – Heraclitus. Heraclitus may have lived in 500 BC, but he had a pretty good grasp on the challenges of keeping up with technology. He reminds us that visitors may visit a business website with a different goal in mind each time. It’s up to the business to make sure we meet their changing needs. -
341 BCE
Epicurus (341 BCE – 270 BCE)
Epicurus on Security. Epicurus was more into enjoying life in all its glory than moralizing or conducting business, but he did contribute something we can all get behind given the constant threat of data theft and loss. “Those who were best able to provide themselves with the means of security against their neighbors, being thus in possession of the surest guarantee, passed the most agreeable life in each other’s society.” – Epicurus -
55
Epictetus (55–135 C.E.)
Epictetus grew up a slave in Rome, and then became a Stoic philosopher. Epictetus coped with this insecurity by constantly reminding himself what he could control and what he couldn't. We can control our thoughts, beliefs and attitudes, but everything else is to some extent out of our control – other people's perceptions and behavior, the economy, the weather, the future and the past. -
1469
Niccolo Machiavelli (1469 - 1527)
Machiavellian Principle. “The end justifies the means”, it refers to gaining and maintaining political power, as well as the process of establishing a strong republic. A management style in which all employees are expected to work extremely hard no matter what it takes to achieve the bottom line could be an example of applying the Machiavellian principle. Indirectly, the means to achieve a corporation's goal includes all measures, including changing a person's lifestyle. -
Thomas Hobbes (1588 - 1679)
Moral Positivism. According to Thomas Hobbes, humans are essentially selfish creatures who will do anything to improve their position. Furthermore, Hobbes believed that nations, like people, are selfishly motivated. For him, each country is constantly at war for power and wealth. State laws and government regulations must be followed by businesses. Strong authority figures are sometimes required in organizations to deter bad behavior and prevent discord. -
Immanuel Kant (1724 - 1804)
Kantian Ethics. Kant believes that reason is autonomous. For him, the reason is "the be all and end all" of everything. Following this line of thinking, Kant maintained that all truths and all knowledge are derived from human reason. Kant places a strong emphasis on the value of the humanistic component in business decisions. Because human beings have goals, they shouldn't be used as a means to an end. Kant emphasizes the value of having good intentions and acting morally. -
Jeremy Bentham (1748 - 1832)
The Utilitarian Principle according to Bentham can be coined in the phrase "The greatest good is the greatest pleasure of the greatest number." This simply means that an action is considered good if it provides the most pleasure or happiness to the majority of people affected by it. The principle can also be applied to budget formulation. Utilitarianism, as a decision-making guide, can also be used to resolve labor and management conflicts.