Moral dilemmas have always been there in the history of humanity. They are still common today, and they are here to stay. All sectors of life grapple with the idea of fulfilling the societal needs as well as remaining genuine and sincere to their own conscience. Due to the reality of how different human beings are the actions that we institute to solve these challenges breeds a sharp difference, which results to the difference of attitude; each pointing a finger to the other as unethical. The corporate world is not an exception. The struggle to remain loyal to an organization even in situations when loyalist’s custom and beliefs are breached remains a challenge. Bowen McCoy, a retired investment banker, demystifies this issue in this context. As a teacher of finance and ethics, McCoy illustrates how the corporate world can handle this moral challenge in his famous “The parable of the Sadhu”
Each person will at one time or another find oneself in a pathetic situation hard to liberate oneself from. Whether individuals may have contributed to one’s predicament the truth is that, in some situations, they will be found in a desperate need for external help. McCoy believes that human beings are capable of rising above any groups’ value. He opts for the lesser popular than a common route of doing what is good and appropriate.
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McCoy has a clear understanding of how society is organized. He too demonstrates his brilliant analysis of the nature of a majority of the people in his era. As a microcosm of the community of humanity, McCoy knows that people are highly individualistic in nature. Put in another term, they are selfish. These sounds are denotative in nature. People also know this fact, and they pretend to be compassionate as opposed to admitting this undesirable trait. They would pretend to be committed to the common good while at the same time perpetuating personal interest secretly.
Having such fundamental fact as the point of departure, McCoy narrates his experiences climbing the Himalayas together with his friend Stephen. Just as the diverse nature of most corporations in terms of the work force so is to the parable. A New Zealander, a porter, a Sherpas and a Swiss join the mountaineers. The reality of differences raises the fact of the inter-cultural example in the persons of the complex crew. Each person, is evidenced has own strengths and limitations but one thing is clear; each has a personal goal to achieve. When the case of the dying pilgrim (The Sadhu) confronts the hikers, it is clear that any one person alone will find it difficult to give a helping hand to the Holy man. A case calling for collective responsibility manifests itself. (Harvard University)
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McCoy exploits descriptive language to describe the pitiful nature of the pilgrim. He makes it so emotive and real especially when the New Zealander, drops the near dead Sadhu at his foot. He achieves this by the choice of words he chooses to communicate his experiences. The words ‘dumping’ and ‘naked’ are used by McCoy with an aim of emphasizing the nature at which the New Zealander regarded the man. We are told that the New Zealander is angry; he leaves and feels he has more noble missions to accomplish. This is meant to arouse public sympathy to the man who is not only unwanted but whose dignity as a human being is deprived.
In an argumentative approach, McCoy presents the proponents’ and the opponents’ excuses in this case that calls for an immediate action at the backdrop of players’ individual and cultural differences. The result is an endeavor to pool resources for a common good end.
The adventures postmortem debate between Stephen and the narrator cements the reality of people rising above the values of group cocoons. In the corporate world, where monetary value is prioritized at the expense of humanitarian values, the possibility of daring to follow along the unpopular road with desirable results is possible.
