If we were really rational beings… ?
Much of what we do is arguable rational, and the way governments and economists see us is as rational thinking machines. To them we are (or should behave) all like Mr Spock clones in a Startrek remake.
Even HR departments try to build as much rationality into their departments as possible… the Head of Finance is often asked to only see the world in those terms. And the fact is that if Mr.Spock were to run any department, it would be as Finance Director that he would have the best chance for success… at least if he never had to take a risk or deal with staffing issues.
But I think it’s pretty obvious to most of us that we are not first and foremost rational beings. Indeed, today’s financial led crisis probably would not have happened if the bankers testosterone fueled decisions had not been grounded in so-called rationality. Yet logic and value are trusted and we still mistrust emotion.
Much of what we do is arguable rational, and the way governments and economists see us is as rational thinking machines. To them we are (or should behave) all like Mr Spock clones in a Startrek remake.
Even HR departments try to build as much rationality into their departments as possible… the Head of Finance is often asked to only see the world in those terms. And the fact is that if Mr.Spock were to run any department, it would be as Finance Director that he would have the best chance for success… at least if he never had to take a risk or deal with staffing issues.
But I think it’s pretty obvious to most of us that we are not first and foremost rational beings. Indeed, today’s financial led crisis probably would not have happened if the bankers testosterone fueled decisions had not been grounded in so-called rationality. Yet logic and value are trusted and we still mistrust emotion.
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