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Neil Brady Reviewed work(s): Source: Journal of Business Ethics, Vol. 4, No. 1 (Feb., 1985), pp. 23-30 Published by: Springer Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25071468 . Accessed: 21/10/2012 22:20
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A Defense
in Corporate
of Utilitarian
Policy Processes
F. Neil Brady
ABSTRACT.
The
growing
awareness
that
corporate
and
public policy forming processes are intensively utilitarian has provoked a variety of criticism. The procedural dif are well known; less well ficulties of utilitarianism
known charges important paper defends but that potentially utilitarian relationships utilitarian more policy and methods devastating processes societal against is a set of intrude processes. these upon This charges.
of reason function objective over the ends) held priority and reflected the common careful thinking produced in ethics. Max especially some of its uses describes
(1947)
specifically, two criticisms are singled out for examination. The first is the claim that utilitarian policy More
processes systematically discriminate against the rights
asserted
the
existence
of
reason
as a force
not
and in
only in the individual mind but also in the ? in relations among human beings objective world
between nature and social classes, in social institutions, The could be degree determined and of its manifestations... of a man's life
of non-human
or obligation
ultimately
are essential
reason-ableness
according
theory ordination however the human ultimate idea of
for the development of individual and societal identity. Given these criticisms, the goal of this paper is to
defend public the policy role of utilitarian processes in corporate techniques such against charges. and
to its harmony
objective of behavior reason and
with
did aim,
this totality...
not but focus on on the concepts ?
The
co ? on of of
to us sound they today mythological on of the greatest the good, problem on and the way of realization destiny, goals.
the have
functions been
of
divided
reflecting
to choose
the means-ends
appropriate
the other to select the means for achieving what ever purposes one may have. Kant's (1785) dis tinction between the categorical and hypothetical uses of reason is typical of the classical position. to this view, the two however, According not functions of reason were regarded. equally
great placed a 'center provide point' of individual preferences twentieth seems however, reason's claim to The
classical
view
of
of to
trust could
from which
be assessed.
world, in confidence to Hork according objectivity, heimer. His diagnosis for recurring western crises to of nihilism in and despair points capitalism the pervasive mistrust of reason to human clarify ends and the resulting with the preoccupation century to have lost utilitarian Daniel "There also echo
"One of
industrialized
F. Neil
at is Assistant Professor of Management San Diego the College of Business Administration, State University. He is the author of 'Feeling and Brady A Moral
Administration
Bell
personal preferences. this view when he writes, there are only peripheries'
of
Understanding:
Servants', Public
Psychology
Quarterly
for
Public
7, and
(1973, p. 419)
our
when
features one
The
they write:
of is its society of western
Competing
American
goallessness.
observer
0167-4544/85/0041-0023*01.20.
24
culture questing instrumental has noted for better ends... the ceaseless and It busyness means better assumed of its to that
F. Neil Brady
people, achieve ultimate
which
is
ends will
be taken
techniques
their
against
Therefore,
is whether the the largest question reason as found in the of function subjective or instrumental utilitarian pro predominantly cesses world of the administrative excessively distorts and others suggest. life, as Horkheimer its the need to resolve great difficulty Despite issue administrator the leaves the thoughtful
In and that powerful specific complaints. on the back of the monkey is placed event, are so critical of the predominantly those who utilitarian what to to show nature of policy processes and add of reason the objective function con the processes present policy beyond tribution of utilitarian techniques.
with
Are discomfort. significant philosophical utilitarian flawed, techniques fundamentally Does one serve society well biased, or distorted? merely unexamined ferent of resources in the service of manages whether wants, without considering in fact they now are? The link
Utilitarian
theory
and homocentrism
who
prove satisfactory. has argued that utilitarian in the law and in public sys techniques policy certain of kinds values suppress tematical concern some for which individuals' express life. That natural and non-human is, objects as a of decision utilitarianism system public making tends to and sympathy animal life and, translating by human interest. suppress other felt of expression toward obligations the those
were corporate policy not follow that a perfected all manifestations encompasses will
policy
the fluid the
firmly
if uncomfortably
of human wants goes beyond difficulties
immersed in
and needs. Yet, these well to defend
focus
known utilitarian
against techniques policy-analytic to human nature of alleged distortion charges in its use. If procedures have flaws, that inherent a one is but if method intrudes matter; upon or modifies essential important relationships social processes, that is quite another.
feelings of expressions or of Any obligations feelings intrinsic worth, human from self-interest, apart are in the unimportant policy comparatively
*
game.
cannot this Therefore, paper although to Horkheimer's head respond large assertions to two made on, it does respond charges specific of cor in the world processes against utilitarian porate claim atically human pathy animals The first is the and public policy making. that utilitarian processes system policy the rights of non discriminate against of sym life and suppress any feelings or obligation The humans second circumvents for feel might is the argument of considerations
leaders and business year, Every public issues for face where executives, example, some that the animal argue 'rights' of higher or life that one's initial for the sympathies intrinsic over for worth of an countervailing is an important Japanese industry if the general be hurt severely felt to super toward the whale were obligation of of millions interests sede the first order directly whale the system or indirectly benefit from take priority eco-system interests. human Whaling,
industry. in which
A Defense debated
of Utilitarian
one. As a result, any felt is a utilitarian or for whale life are obilgations sympathies to into be the under translated great pressure are wherein such issues language currently a was what Thus, processed. genuine initially stance is reduced to an argument selfless playing to the motive of human self-interest: future only to not will be able whales, generations experience to science will lose the opportunity study and etc. learn from a significant mammalian species, The of shrubs plastic inadequacy 'planting' aesthetic equivalent highways or of Parthenon the species replacing to with with material piece-by-piece designed along to living stand the corrosive effects of twentieth pollution satisfaction somehow policy any to the claim that testify is of human aesthetic preferences not to the whole these story public Historically, other utilitarian analytic century the utilitarian our as the
is whether
discriminate systematically sentiments, 'higher order' human merely inferred represent they sympathetically of non-human life. The of the development history to allow room appears Even sympathies. though of utilitarian for the
theory order'
expression
(1789)
work
was
theory
purely
seemed
hedonistic,
of
Mill's
to allow human
preference the distortion Tribe calls our Nevertheless, to does exist, but it has been induced attention not so much social by utilitarian theory. Rather, choice have been strategies anticipated by who the understand persons competitively nature democratic of whether policy-making, or corporate public. In institu utilitarian theory, policy-forming to elicit first hope those involved. However, reflective beings which tions cipate outcomes, and order human assess make preferences from are also beings anti prospects, tactical (and not
in the utilitarian
issues. interests
taking seriously
than irreducibly human ones. even who feel most those however, of values the kinds suppressed by may procedures policy the distortion inherent to play: may
which as to erode,
be
further
in the game
[The environmentalist]
a system of and discourse feeling thought
be helping
so over
to legitimate
human long run, the
structures
the very sense of obligation which provided the initial impetus for his own protective efforts. (Tribe, 1974, p. 1221) So, there current about something policy if Tribe is dis techniques, right, which the adoption of positions that appeal is which transcend useful mere and
In other necessarily personal) preferences. as Tribe and others have words, shown, correctly the traditional system, corporate policy-making cannot and public, of the translation control into tactical If personal preference preference. as a to this distortion is always be regarded of human then Tribe's sentiment, degradation concerns would be on target. What Tribe fails to see is that the kinds of distortion occur which ? work both ways both to the possible degrada as well as to the tion of sentiment of enhancing
motive.
is both It is
for
the
latter
of distortions
'malicious of
processes, analytic policy to utilitarian in attributing them wholly to in supposing the distortions and in neglecting arise not non-human from se per the but interests.
accepted
reasons:
only distortions
strategies
supplies products etc. Here, it is not the utilitarian nature of place, a that distorts one's true motives, process policy it is the awareness of what kinds of arguments seem to have wider to those who solicit appeal one's consider the Further, preferences.
26 arguments used to
Brady today, public presumably sympathy be far stronger, but it is at least plausible to suppose too much water that has simply to under the make such passed easy bridge to reform attempts public policy. Similarly, with to corporate seem to businesses respect policy, show little interest in historical Tradi relations. tion means less than innovation, and precedent less than performance. future representing developments in utilitarian discussions. impotent similarly A present oil crisis seems far more important than one faced Likewise, by future generations. over the domination of the present future Sympathies are interests The emphasis is a well-known in corporate is also easy to see. policy on short-term over long-term goals of American weakness corporate occurred
justify
of
industries of doubtful
social utility.
The
would
and distribution of production is justified for example, material, status as an art form, its alleged outmoded liberalizing its social function by ship and control. The insight list could that emerges and public of human more in attitudes to challenge much
be made
longer, is the recognition that both can transform even policy preference to into expressed
but
the
preferences contexts. Whereas policy-analytic expressions examples sions of are also whales of
acceptable policy-making Tribe argues that insightfully can suppress techniques as the above sentiments, 'higher' it may also be true that expres forms of human for preference
suppressed. Sympathy disappearing to reduce may potential experiential for future generations, but base appetites publically freedoms. transformed Whether into ultimately
is an open expression public a it is not any question merely utilitarian of degradation higher
sentiments.
have
In short, utilitarian do not processes policy a selective on order' impact 'higher The both washed impact does 'higher' out occur, and in but it of 'lower'
favor
and widely held. preferences openly to wash This tendency of utilitarian processes out the extreme and cling to middle positions atten is also illustrated ground by the reduced are tion given to issues which removed temporally is being made from the present. When policy for are present stronger; but problems, preferences in the past or the when the issue is situated it seems to attract less attention. future, Thinking of the past, consider the plight of those citizens of the desert fallout the southwest and from who are seeking com pensation radiation tests secure of for deaths 1950s. from injuries resulting the above-ground nuclear Or consider to the attempts
strategy. In short, there is a kind of that occurs myopia in both corporate and public processes, but it is a narrowness of vision which the discourages or of extreme expression preferences unpopular or and current, solicits, instead, moderate, common That of is, expressions preferences. at the not out, get washed preference periphery as selected such for just preferences sympathies even whales. if this were true, Furthermore, that Tribe has said can convincingly nothing connect to utilitarian this flaw per procedures se. Utilitarian in principle for allows theory ? or the weighing of all preferences 'high' or And 'low', retrospective prospective. although do seem to undervalue processes policy periph eral interests, such a phenomenon may be due as to human as to much for example, socialization, a given decision-making procedure.
theory
and
the
circumvention
of
of utilitarian
objects to viz. the constitutive society, or for example, Marx, process. value-forming to utilitarianism from the of objects perspective a social reformer. For him, utilitarian methods process promote a static society:
for the Japanese victims of compensation internment incidents War II. World If such during
A Defense
... the of theory of what the utility exists; ... into [changes] a demonstration into
of Utilitarian
a mere that
Policy
itself
Processes
that matters
27
most to those who take part in it.
By focusing
some methods whatever
on how
state,
to optimize
to ?
relations the present conditions existing in the men are and most the advantageous recent in all the It interest. has this character
economists. That
(Bottomore,
1956, p. 166)
an independent the
difference.
ethics only inquires after the is, utilitarian current values; it does not promote of strength their review or change. in promoting interest Marx's Of course, a sense of is motivated societal by dynamism a is a revolutionary direction: society dynamic in the which the will, long run, promote society one's On Marxist the other ideals. classical hand, interest in societal need not be
Thus,
nature of utilitarian fundamentally or abbreviate assessment may distort technology in order to an societal process simply important on an issue. obtain closure to describe the phenomenon Another way as involves seeing a scientific technology method. assessment In terms of procedures scientific
dynamism can be awareness and self-criticism instrumental; own sake, out of the for their prized regardless a come. More in which the process specifically, it will value is one in which chooses what society the society continuously contrasted with a system for example, determined where the constitutes itself; and of runaway values societal technology, are in part
should have an ideals, no measuring technique measure. to if it item seeks the effect upon Yet, assessment tech utilitarian is correct, Tribe niques do distort of the phenomenon virtue of the after, principally by nature of ignore the truly societal in the Daniel when course Bell he sampling at is getting writes that of structures individuals". of the nature
processes
momentum of forward by con a which society development, technological or the implications studies periodically tinually of technological for its well-being development It may and do so incrementally 'chooses itself'. is all without but that important lofty vision, is that society into its own takes its development hands. Laurence utilitarian institutionalized results process higher promotion utilitarian oriented: in forms of the essential Tribe system in for has argued that the (1972) assessment of technology the the United of States the often kind of for of the the
(1976, p. 257)
over of the propriety Nevertheless, despair for societal processes utilitarian may techniques are at least two reasons for There be premature. the criticism supposing to above be overstated. The with of first is related utilitarian clear that the corporate constitutive reason. of utilitarianism outlined
circumvention
of human
to the corporate experience It is not simply policy-making. character utilitarian traditionally the more stifles decision-making or of functions value-choosing the decision-making at least causes of phase executives
Indeed,
what might otherwise collapse into a review of public be a values healthy the comparative regarding speedy judgment outcomes. merit of possible
'In most a symphony rules that areas to of human orchestrating constitute by its the participants endeavor a ? from ? performing the processes define quite the apart
weighing preferences to consider of cor the comparative strengths not A if absolute values, porate strengths. is which with for company, wrestling example, the the issue of expansion of facilities of must review comparative strengths interests of stockholders, short-term term survival and growth interests several
society
and roles
played
'end state'
cases
that is ultimately
it is the processes
in many
of alter the sacrificing poration, image, public etc. Such discussions native uses of the capital, can be vigorous. Just because utilitarian methods outcomes for does not require that the press
28 constitutive altogether. situations question question want it?' function The of reason
F. Neil Brady
be short-circuited I want?' in the
... if the set of ultimate ends that defines a person
question
'What do
must
of conflicting goals often prompts I want it?' The latter 'How do badly do I from is not far removed 'Why
of the desires
we not as a
point
abandoned
I to want', which 'What ought and in its own right and respect human rationality not just for its instrumental capacities. reason is for justified The second optimism assessment nature of utilitarian the cyclical decision of utilitarian process. Descriptions a feed with conclude often making approaches
a continuing
identity
over time...?
(1973,
from the is, the only important question 'What is of instrumental perspective rationality are the present relevant values in terms of which alternatives cerning alleged the will be assessed?' of continuity to be irrelevant. con Questions are values personal
back
loop thrust feels
loop.
on the
reflection
assessment. discomfort
intuitive
that reality were other however, Suppose, were no con wise: that there suppose personal over one feel time... of values Could tinuity justified policy The only tasks ones in which utilitarian for techniques applying reasons? No! The results would be dated. that could be achieved would be were preference in
the cause may be failure utilitarian assessment, or utilitarian in any all of three traditional steps can be con with which completed only rarely fidence: courses of action. (1) List all alternative (2) List all relevant alternatives. (3) Weigh the criteria with of these for evaluating respect feedback earlier to the their
momentary satisfied with momentary gratifica immediately tion. in gratification imme suffer Delay might diate obsolescence. Of the
criteria inclusion of in
importance. the Presumably, prima facie of closure utilitarian So, not need
recognition inherent
the freedom
for animals and for some people, course, of short-term future does consist basically So and goals, which values often. may change are concerned, far as general policy decisions a real world the kind of however, reflecting be underlying is with techniques incompatible policy-analytic In order to the intent of those techniques. rely on the continued and for policy usefulness assumption alleges of a certain planning temporal one would tion's preferences, that human values about Indeed, change rapidly. to the extent is reduced over personal identity to Tribe's contrast sharp tion of personal temporal the public use of utilitarian and corporate slice of a popula to assume have Tribe to
arguments
altogether of features
one have merit, over the alleged the application in strategies of the
instrumental
not most things do the meaning of 'policy' of that the assumption time is weakened. In conclusion,
how important assessing goals, further insight can be each value is, and whether and their con alternatives achieved regarding
sequences.
the asser do not end with allegations that above tion considered policy-analytic to essential processes collapse techniques so far as to He even goes societal well-being. the assert deflates that instrumental rationality He writes: notion of personal identity. temporal Tribe's
policy.
Policy
processes:
Open
Returning, regarding
to Marx's natural
complaint of utili
difference
the fear
the alternative
thinking, to societal obstacle greater constitutive The contribution of the dynamism! ? the of rationality function is discovery iden of values or principles sustain tification which rationality, an themselves over time and lend permanence
viz. constitutive
That is, the judgment. an open process nature of competitive intensely cause a bidder sense of to inflate one's might value of judgments it is of the inflation circumstance, precisely is value which the perceived 'open promoted by can ness' of the process, which of holders delight property for to be auctioned successful but which when can result cool reflec bidders one's the glass windows initial beyond in quieter moments. In this sort of
to
in
longer fair
re
conclude,
been
regret tion again replaces the frenzy of the moment. be 'closed' So, whereas processes may policy of certain accused 'opening' shortcomings, falls short in its own ways processes policy by to the fires' and causing 'fanning preferences be temporarily The question preference?' It is plausible 'I just wasn't inflated. 'What an to is the easy true of intensity to answer. in some
inertia men
is not
preferential
relations
privileged
status of historical
ideology. Both
and constitutive forms of rationality instrumental can be carried to extremes; but there is nothing to about the application of utilitarian techniques the process ly requires self-formative of policy-formation societal stagnation responsibilities. as well of societies that theoretical or abdication of The as successful
preference and the volatility of the notion of personality, so far as the upon personal depends identity of one's preferences. stability Similar policy of public occur problems as well. formation, servants to be an political their plead of in the area of public the power Perceiving object of competition, each year groups before city adminis
I lost control
management corporations an uncomfortable must of upon rely balancing ? instrumental and constitutive of rationality an not in of realm operating ambiguous knowing be achieved policy ? of counterposition with formulation the of 'fell incre swoop' nature
thousands
action cases
'closed'
vigorously and a trators, commisioners, county legislators, wide To of officials. suppose variety public some under these conditions that simple measure of the intensity of expressed preferences would provide real wants and effort to resist reliable needs the information is naive. regarding in an Instead, of an auction,
in the United
have us believe, there the lead to 'opening' policy processes would own set is of One its such problem difficulties. escalation how of preference. 'open' processes An example might run the risk of of preference Con interests. auction and windows essential
regularly wants
atmosphere make judgments regard and try to avoid being either the extravagant by or the are over represented is policy that
momentary provoking which do not reflect sider open the phenomenon on some bidding development
expressions
cries of the under-represented. to notice important point and individual corporate, assessment the utilitarian constitutive in involvement processes and public
in
glass
is being demolished
F. Neil Brady
in certainty. openness in democratic, and free. remain fair, reasonably non-intrusive,
perhaps epitome contexts is advertising, utilitarian competitive in where result combative strategies marketing or confused self-deceived customers, duped a of the and degradation salespersons, general notion of personal preference.
Indeed,
Bell, Daniel,
Basic Books,
of Capitalism,
Conclusion For a century, administrators shortcomings in applied science, and philosophers, policy-makers, aware of the procedural have been of utilitarian cost-benefit theory, analysis, economics. whether policy Human
to the Principles Bentham, Jeremy, Introduction of Morals and Legislation (1789), W. Harrison (ed.), Hafner Press, Oxford, 1948.
Bottomore, T. B., Karl Marx: Selected Writings in
ethics, or in neo-traditional
are often 'soft', incommensurable, preferences and indistinct, the pursuit of alternatives while and inex for choice is ambiguous, complex, Even do act on haustible. so, human beings of preference do make judgments preference, so do and often among alternatives, freely, being or even unrestrained precept, principle, by ? as when for toppings opinion choosing public
an ice-cream sundae.
and Social Philosophy, Sociological Mcgraw-Hill Publishers, New York, 1956. Max, The Eclipse Horkheimer, of Reason, Oxford New 1947. Press, York, University Kant, Immanuel, Foundations of the Metaphysics of Lewis Morals White Beck (trans.), Bobs (1785), Merrill,
Maclntyre,
Indianapolis,
Alasdair,
1959.
Utilitarianism and Cost-Benefit
An Essay on the Relevance of Moral Analysis: to Kenneth Bureaucratic Sayer Philosophy Theory,
(ed.), Indiana, Notre 1977. Dame University Press, Notre Dame,
J. W. Parker, London,
Costs, Taylor and (eds.), Effective Program
The much
concerns deeper
run paper generally than the well-known procedural Some of utilitarianism. writers of this even be if the merely procedural overcome and the basic a set of distortions to with the institution
Budgeting and Benefit-Cost Analysis, Pacific Palisades, California: Goodyear Publ. Comp., 1969, pp. 83-93. Scott, William G. and David K. Hart, 'Administrative
Crisis: The Neglect of Metaphysical Speculation',
Public
415-422. Tribe,
Administration
Review
Sciences:
33
(4),
or
(1973),
Ideology?'
pp.
This techniques. policy-analytic on two has such distortions focused paper alleged the traditional and has tried to defend policy In the those charges. making techniques against more with there may be nothing end, wrong to than utilitarian approaches policy-making nature. in human is already what reflected can be overused instrumental reasoning Surely, or to the of the constitutive objective neglect functions be correct of reason. in his Horkheimer of At assessment may ultimately of the character
Laurence,
'Policy
Analysis to for
Philosophy
Tribe, Trees: Laurence, New
The 1348.
Tribe,
83
(7) (1974),
Assessment
pp.
1315
and the
Fourth
The
Limits
California
Alfred
University
North,
Press,
The Function
Boston, 1929.
twentieth century rationality. reason has yet in cases where preference principle, scenario the unlikely comes world under that the would rule rules of be!), in which
(What