The Ajax Dilemma: Justice, Fairness, and RewardsOxford University Press, USA, 2011 - 251 páginas We live in a world where CEOs give themselves million pound bonuses even as their companies go bankrupt and ordinary workers are laid off; where athletes make millions while teachers struggle to survive; a world, in short, where rewards are often unfairly meted out. In The Ajax Dilemma, Paul Woodruff examines one of today's most pressing moral issues: how to distribute rewards and public recognition without damaging the social fabric. How should we honour those whose behaviour and achievement is essential to our overall success? Is it fair or right to lavish rewards on the superstar at the expense of the hardworking rank-and-file? How do we distinguish an impartial fairness from what is truly just? Woodruff builds his answer to these questions around the ancient conflict between Ajax and Odysseus over the armour of the slain warrior Achilles. King Agamemnon arranges a speech contest to decide the issue. Ajax, the loyal workhorse, loses the contest, and the priceless armour, to Odysseus, the brilliantly deceptive strategist who will lead the Greeks to victory. Deeply insulted, Ajax goes on a rampage and commits suicide, and in his rage we see the resentment of every loyal worker who has been passed over in favour of those who are more gifted, or whose skills are more highly valued. How should we deal with the 'Ajax dilemma'? Woodruff argues that while we can never create a perfect system for distributing just rewards, we can recognize the essential role that wisdom, compassion, moderation, and respect must play if we are to restore the basic sense of justice on which all communities depend. This short, thoughtful book, written with Woodruff's characteristic elegance, investigates some of the most bitterly divisive global issues today. |
Índice
The Story of Ajax | 17 |
Learning from the Ajax Story | 59 |
Justice as Human Wisdom | 89 |
AJAX AND ODYSSEUS FROM BATTLEFIELD TO BOARDROOM | 203 |
Otras ediciones - Ver todo
The Ajax Dilemma: Justice, Fairness, and Rewards Paul Woodruff No hay ninguna vista previa disponible - 2011 |
Términos y frases comunes
accept Achilles Agamemnon agree Ajax and Odysseus Ajax dilemma Ajax’s ancient ancient Greeks anger angry Aristotle armor bad loser believe better Billy Budd bonus booty bring commanders compassion contest contributions courage decide decision deserves employees enemy fail fairness fear fearlessness feel follow friends goal Greek army herman melville human wisdom ideal Iliad incentives individual insult John Rawls judge judgment justice kill king leader leadership lives look lose love of honor loyal Menelaus Nestor never Odysseus’s outcome panel Paul Woodruff pity Plato principles prize procedure reason respect rewards rules salaries sense shame share Socrates soldiers Sophocles soul story Suppose Tecmessa Teucer Thersites thing thought thought experiment Trojan Trojan Horse troops Troy tyrant understand virtues winner wise woman Woodruff words wrong