Business ethics book review
Book Review:
On Paradise Drive
How we live now (and always have) in the future tense
By: David Brooks
British philosopher, important critical and legal thinker Jeremy Bentham, the father of English innovation had ambivalent feelings about the United States of America. Although he disagreed with some of the main principles of the American democracy (its profess ideology of natural rights for example or the slave trading practices of the pilgrims in the New World) he never denied his amazement and respect for this new, quickly rising nation. His main moral principle, utilitarianism can be shortly interpreted as the main task of every governance is to provide the greatest happiness for the greatest numbers. (Lecture slide, 2013). Despite the theological differences Bentham regarded the U.S as the nation that has been built on the notions of enlightenment and liberty from its beginnings which might become the most successful embodiment of the principles of utility amongst nations (Heart, 1976). American political, cultural commentator, columnist of The New York Times, David Brooks in his acclaimed book invites the reader on an imaginary drive around the middle-, upper- middle class suburbs of modern America. During this drive while going against the usual stereotypes of the suburbs, according to which these are boring, artificial places with dirty secrets and live mostly by married couples with children – in fact according to a 2000 survey such families only make up 27 per cent of suburban househoulds (page 5) - Brooks dives deep into the heart and soul of the American people. He is trying the explore what motivates them and whether their energy emerges only from money-hungriness and arrogance that threatens the rest of the world, or there are deeper notions underlying the American culture such as a strong belief in a better future that unites these very different people from different backgrounds and shape their personalities. In any given year 16
On Paradise Drive
How we live now (and always have) in the future tense
By: David Brooks
British philosopher, important critical and legal thinker Jeremy Bentham, the father of English innovation had ambivalent feelings about the United States of America. Although he disagreed with some of the main principles of the American democracy (its profess ideology of natural rights for example or the slave trading practices of the pilgrims in the New World) he never denied his amazement and respect for this new, quickly rising nation. His main moral principle, utilitarianism can be shortly interpreted as the main task of every governance is to provide the greatest happiness for the greatest numbers. (Lecture slide, 2013). Despite the theological differences Bentham regarded the U.S as the nation that has been built on the notions of enlightenment and liberty from its beginnings which might become the most successful embodiment of the principles of utility amongst nations (Heart, 1976). American political, cultural commentator, columnist of The New York Times, David Brooks in his acclaimed book invites the reader on an imaginary drive around the middle-, upper- middle class suburbs of modern America. During this drive while going against the usual stereotypes of the suburbs, according to which these are boring, artificial places with dirty secrets and live mostly by married couples with children – in fact according to a 2000 survey such families only make up 27 per cent of suburban househoulds (page 5) - Brooks dives deep into the heart and soul of the American people. He is trying the explore what motivates them and whether their energy emerges only from money-hungriness and arrogance that threatens the rest of the world, or there are deeper notions underlying the American culture such as a strong belief in a better future that unites these very different people from different backgrounds and shape their personalities. In any given year 16