The whole and its parts

The whole & its parts

Unfair advantage

It’s regularly astonishing to me when I notice an ad that invites me to grab an unfair advantage. Observing a conversation unfold on such an ad, the theme that appeared was how the participants connected it to moral standards.

One group decided to call out how the people behind the ad seemed to let go of existing moral standards.

Another group highlighted how the people behind the ad were doing things extremely well, that is measuring it with the success they have.

Thinking about that conversation, what appeared was how the participants were experiencing a tension between moral standards and being successful. Success appeared as an important norm within society, whereas moral standards and values seemed to be perceived as an individual aspect of society.

Some members of this group then highlighted how the approach taken works well for customers. As if, the presence of customers benefitting would be able to change the perception of such an approach.

Such ideas look very much like an excuse.

Someone else is being made responsible for the chosen approach as one has to do what they ask for. Usually, this becomes even more relevant, when survival appears as a necessity and replaces the desire for success. That is when holding on to moral standards may become difficult for those individuals who attach themselves to their status. To feel like holding on to their moral standards, they’ll appreciate having an external cause that seems to explain their behavior.

It’s a very human behavior, however, mostly exhibited by children.

 

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