ASSIGNMENT ONE: Please read “The Trees of the Niu Mountain” by Mengzi.

Questions for you to answer:

[a] Explain what the metaphor of the mountain means.

[b] Does the author think human nature is basically “good” (cooperative and trustworthy) or “bad” (uncooperative and untrustworthy) or some other alternative? Do you agree? Explain your answer.

[c] In ethical terms, what are some of the forces that can undermine a beautiful soul or character? Explain your answer.

[d] Given the date and source of this reading, what can we conclude about the possibility that some core values are broadly shared among people in diverse cultures? How could such “core values” arise?

Wikipedia commons

(Are you curious? Studying this one ideogram

can be a college education in itself)

ASSIGNMENT TWO: Please review this Harvard University commencement speech by (then) Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan. Please focus on these four paragraphs.

[a] “I do not deny that many appear to have succeeded in a material way by cutting corners and manipulating associates, both in their professional and in their personal lives. But material success is possible in this world and far more satisfying when it comes without exploiting others. The true measure of a career is to be able to be content, even proud, that you succeeded . . . without leaving a trail of casualties in your wake.”

[b] “I cannot speak for others whose psyches I may not be able to comprehend, but, in my working life, I have found no greater satisfaction than achieving success through honest dealings and strict adherence to the view that for you to gain, those you deal with should gain as well. Human relations–be they personal or professional–should not be zero sum games.”

[c] “And beyond the personal sense of satisfaction, having a reputation for fair dealing is a profoundly practical virtue. We call it ‘good will’ in business and add it to our balance sheets.”

[d] “Trust is at the root of any economic system based on mutually beneficial exchange. In virtually all transactions, we rely on the word of those with whom we do business. Were this not the case, exchange of goods and services could not take place on any reasonable scale. Our commercial codes and contract law presume that only a tiny fraction of contracts, at most, need be adjudicated. If a significant number of businesspeople violated the trust upon which our interactions are based, our court system and our economy would be swamped into immobility.”

Two questions for you to answer: [1] Do you think Greenspan is being realistic about the possibility of “business ethics?” Cite specific language from his speech (in quotation marks) and explain your reasoning. [2] Identify the core ethical values you plan to follow in your career.

Additional background for reflection (assignment two)

(Note: materials here and below labeled “for reflection” do not require written responses)

Thought question: Don’t “soft” terms like “good-will” or “mutually beneficial exchange” reflect ignorance about evolutionary anthropology? Shouldn’t we accept the reality that human beings are self-interested primates engaged in a ruthless struggle for dominance? Only the strongest individuals survive, right?

Actually, those kinds of statements are consistently refuted by direct observation of how social animals like primates live. Consider this observation by Yuval Noah Harari in his 2014 book, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind:

“When [chimpanzees] . . . are contesting the alpha position, they usually do so by forming extensive coalitions of supporters, both male and female, from within the group. Ties between coalition members are based on intimate daily contact – hugging, touching, kissing, grooming and mutual favours. Just as human politicians on election campaigns go around shaking hands and kissing babies, so aspirants to the top position in a chimpanzee group spend much time hugging, back-slapping and kissing baby chimps. The alpha male usually wins his position not because he is physically stronger, but because he leads a large and stable coalition. These coalitions play a central part not only during overt struggles for the alpha position, but in almost all day-to-day activities. Members of a coalition spend more time together, share food, and help one another in times of trouble.”

In short, while physical strength and assertiveness certainly matter (especially in competition with other groups) fostering the “good will” that maintains “extensive coalitions of supporters” turns out to be even more important. A leader who isn’t trusted won’t remain a leader for long. See this observation by a contemporary expert on (human) leadership skills: “[e]ffective leadership is defined by how well a leader executes a mission, how they show empathy and inspire those who follow them.”

Thought question: How did a small country like Holland become a world economic power (the richest country in Europe for many years)? Hint: it may have had something to do with trust and the rule of law.

Here’s an economic perspective on the importance of social trust from Francis Fukuyama in his book Trust: The Social Virtues and the Creation of Prosperity (Free Press. 1995, pp.27-28):

“Trust is the expectation that arises within a community of regular, honest, and cooperative behavior, based on commonly shared norms, on the part of other members of that community . . . [P]eople who do not trust one another will end up cooperating only under a system of formal rules and regulations, which have to be negotiated, agreed to, litigated, and enforced, sometimes by coercive means. This legal apparatus, serving as a substitute for trust, entails what economists call

“transaction costs.” Widespread distrust in a society, in other words, imposes a kind of tax on all forms of economic activity, a tax that high-trust societies do not have to pay.”

You’ll see something similar in the business success of the Quakers.

Thought question: How might “business ethics” evolve in the 21st Century? Former Vice-President Al Gore and others are promoting the idea of “sustainable capitalism” (“long-term thinking” grounded on the view that businesses are more likely to thrive by helping to solve rather than exacerbate social and environmental problems). Please see this three minute video: Allocating capital for long-term returns. Gore’s new model is proving to be highly successful. “Business ethics,” in short, isn’t a set of static rules; it’s an evolving conception of integrity each generation can expand. See this related overview of the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility

ASSIGNMENT THREE: Please read and think about this quotation:

“The mind is fickle and flighty, it flies after fancies and whatever it likes; it is difficult indeed to restrain. But it is a great good to control the mind; a mind self-controlled is a source of great joy.”

—Buddha’s Teachings (Penguin Classics, p. 8).

Question for you to answer: Please read An interview conducted with Roberto Assagioli by Sam Keen. Identify and discuss at least two strategies Assagioli recommends to strengthen mental discipline or “self-management.” Include at least one direct quotation from the article.

Additional background for reflection (assignment three)

(Note: materials labeled “for reflection” do not require written responses)

Many cultures use stories or legends to help people enhance emotional intelligence (long-term, less self-centered thinking). Here’s an example from a Native American tradition (“First People: American Indian Legends“):

“An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. ‘A fight is going on inside me,’ he said to the boy.

‘It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil — he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.’ He continued, ‘The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

The same fight is going on inside you — and inside every other person, too.’

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, ‘Which wolf will win?’

The old Cherokee simply replied, ‘The one you feed.’

As you complete the seminar, you might consider keeping a small card next to your computer with the question “which wolf?” written on it. See if this experiment influences behavior. Timely reminders that elicit what Lincoln called “the better angels of our nature” are a proven way to enhance emotional intelligence (see how that term is defined, below).

If you’d like to build on these ideas, please watch a short TED video by Shawn Achor, who teaches for the Advanced Management Program at Wharton Business School. Learn how Shawn turned his sister into a unicorn (it’s a funny and instructive story, with practical suggestions at the end).

Many philosophical and religious traditions emphasize disciplined mindfulness. Here’s an example from the Christian Bible (Philippians 4:8):

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable —if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

One of our aims in assignment three is to introduce you to the concept of “emotional intelligence.” Please see this overview (from coursework at the University of Virginia) about what “emotional intelligence” means (note the emphasis on “trustworthiness and integrity”). The concept of emotional intelligence derives from research by psychologist Daniel Goleman, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The good news in Goleman’s research is that emotional intelligence can be learned. If you’d like a real-life example of how emotional intelligence can grow during a lifetime, consider the AIS assigned reading about Abraham Lincoln (#5, below) .

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“Most powerful is he who has himself in his power”

— Seneca (the younger) (4 B.C.- 65 A.D.)

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ASSIGNMENT FOUR: Please read Book One of the Meditations of Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius.

Question for you to answer. Please write a concise statement of gratitude identifying the ethical and intellectual debts you owe to family members, teachers, or friends. Fictitious names are permitted, but the statement of gratitude should be genuine.

Additional background for reflection (assignment four) (a philosophical perspective on gratitude)

“Aware only of his own satisfactions and his own happiness, hoarding them as a miser hoards his coin . . . the egoist cannot be grateful. Ingratitude is not the incapacity to receive but the inability to give back–in the form of joy or love–a little of the joy that was received or experienced. This is why ingratitude is so pervasive a vice. [Ungrateful people] absorb joy as others absorb light, for egoism is a black hole.”

–Andre Comte-Sponville, Professor of philosophy at the Sorbonne (France)

ASSIGNMENT FIVE: One of Abraham Lincoln’s greatest attributes may have been his ability to recover and learn from failure. The quality of perseverance seemed especially useful to him as he struggled with “melancholy” (what might now be called depression). Please read this article by Joshua Wolf Shenk. Read the full article; it’s worth your time. Your answer should contain information from this article only. Do not use other sources).

Two questions for you to answer:

[a] Joshua Wolf Shenk wrote that one of Lincoln’s adaptation strategies was “transcendence” (rising above or even using “melancholy” to achieve a higher purpose). According to Shenk, what was Lincoln’s “higher purpose?” Provide a direct quotation from the article to support your analysis.

[b] What idea or insight in the full article would you recommend to others (a friend, perhaps)? Provide a direct quotation from the article to support your analysis.

*Important reminder: It’s essential to use quotation marks or block indentation when you incorporate any language from any source, including all AIS readings. It’s equally important to avoid a “deceptive” or “patchwork paraphrase” (changing or adding occasional words, but otherwise using the author’s core ideas and phraseology without attribution). Click here for guidance from the University of Wisconsin on the difference between permissible and impermissible paraphrasing. Click here for guidance from Harvard University on the kinds of “common knowledge” you are not required to quote or cite. If in doubt, it’s always prudent to include quotation marks and a citation. Contact your AIS tutor if this instruction is unclear or if you have any questions.

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“What is a man If his chief good and market of his time

Be but to sleep and feed? A beast, no more . . .

He that made us with such large discourse,

Looking before and after, gave us not

That capability and godlike reason

To fust in us unused.”

–– Hamlet, 4 Scene 4

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