“And it is even more to the point that property now becomes the most easily recognized evidence of a reputable degree of success as distinguished from heroic or signal achievement.” Thorstein Veblen, Theory Of The Leisure Class, Pages 271 lines 57-59 In this quote, Veblen discusses how property is a representation of external things that can show the success achieved by an individual or where they are in life. The use of luxury goods can show off a person success and flaunt their wealth. He states that its possession in some amount becomes necessary and a conventional basis of reputability. In the business world today people find luxuries goods as reward for being successful. The physical appeal of luxury goods in undeniable. For example, if a business person drives a Mercedes or BMW around, it implies to others the he/she is successful, wealthy or that they have made it to the top in a career that supports their luxuries lifestyle. In a business standpoint everyone is constantly motivated to “make it “ so that they can purchase nice things. Nothing can motivate an employer's more that something they can show for it and have earned it. Another example can be business offices and their location. Businesses who are on the top floor of a skyscraper building are know to be successful and …show more content…
He emphasizes the importance of telling not just what is required by law or custom, but all the you know. In summary, he advises the importance that we should always do the right things and to play to win not cheat. His theme implies that people should act according to their morals. His description of “appearance of expediency” is someone who puts up a false front and in order to do things the fastest way. Cicero claims that businesses should operate in a truthful and honest matter according to their morals and not the easiest and fastest way to achieve
obsession for luxury. Document 1 states how some of lesser wealth could have only one bar of
Cicero’s essay, titled On Duties, presents a practical approach concerning the moral obligations of a political man in the form of correspondence with his young son. Essential to the text, the incentive for Cicero to undertake On Duties emerges from his depleted hope to restore the Republic within his lifetime. Cicero therefore places such aspirations in the hands of his posterity. The foremost purpose of On Duties considers three obstacles, divided into separate Books, when deciding a course of action. Book I prefatorily states, “in the first place, men may be uncertain whether the thing that falls under consideration is an honorable or a dishonorable thing to do” (5). Cicero addresses the ambiguities present under this consideration and codifies a means through which one can reach a justifiable decision. Subsequently, he expounds the four essential virtues—wisdom, justice, magnanimity or greatness of spirit, and seemliness—all of which are necessary to conduct oneself honorably. As a result, the virtues intertwine to create an unassailable foundation upon which one can defend their actions. Cicero’s expatiation of the four virtues, though revolving around justice and political in context, illuminates the need for wisdom among the populace in order to discern a leader’s motivations. This subtly becomes apparent as Cicero, advising his son on how to dictate decision-making, issues caveats regarding the deceptions that occur under the guise of virtue.
...ee tasks are accomplished can vary to suit the orators purpose or the circumstances surrounding their speech. Cicero does just this and he does it with a purpose. He avoids heavy emotional appeals because they don’t suit the day and go against the relaxed almost careless tone he utilizes throughout the rest of his monologue. He emphasizes the use of persuasive arguments in order to detract from the claims of his opponent in the only way he can (since the case contains no material evidence) and Cicero flatters and entertains the jurors in the hopes that they will view his arguments more favorably. Everything he says and does in this speech of his drive toward his ultimate goal, an acquittal for his client, and from this speech one can see how Cicero not only achieves the three goals he sets forth, but how and why those three goals can and should be adapted at need.
He tries to grab the attention of his audience whom includes anyone who desires what they cannot have. Lasn also draws in his audience’s attention when he writes about “The state college you graduated from left you with a $35,000 debt” (pp 114, paragraph 4). This quote implies that the average college student always has student loan debt. Nothing in life is perfect so someone is always dreaming of a better life thinking that all their problems will be solved. But nothing is set in stone. Famous name brands mentioned in the essay continuously show how luxury is one of the things a person desires to
Veblen’s work was, and continues to be, quite controversial; however, his dissections of human behavior as it relates to social structure and consumption were far from inaccurate. Interestingly enough, it seems that his theories have even become increasingly accurate over time, as proved by the way conspicuous consumption and “Veblan effects,” have both played a significant role in changing not only the luxury fashion industry as a whole, but also in changing the image and symbolic nature of the luxury good.
Like any substantial boon, money has its many benefits, but on a psychological level the resulting disorder perfection anxiety takes a large toll. The lifestyle of the rich leads to limiting many people to being absurdly selective in many aspects of life as well as the added stress of maintaining the air of a sense of perfection that is believed by many as an unattainable quality. Those with great sums of money struggle to find purpose in their day to day lives, only adding to the initial ennui experienced through the disorder. A.A. Gill does not deny in the article the many splendours a life filled with endless riches may have, but instead also highlights that the idea of perfection is a perception, and can be easily perceived as enviable despite the many
In the end, Cicero makes three things clear in his case for virtuous living. First, that sound reasoning is the foundation for understanding what virtuous obligation entails. Second, that to conduct oneself in a virtuous manner, when acting on obligation, is to live virtuously. And third, acting in accord with virtue, through trust towards others, is the first step in the creation of a society that acts virtuously. For Cicero, though one may practice only a portion of the above, only through adherence to all aspects related to virtuous living may Roman society return to its ideal form of existence—namely, a virtuous society.
Owning makes people confident in themselves. Children in elementary school have ‘show and tell’ where each child brings in a material item. Children are taught that tangible things are good, which they can be. Computers can be both a good and bad thing. Computers allow for people to be informed and have access to intellectual resources, but also there are games and other ways to waste one’s time. Expensive handbags and watches create a social status drift. If one has the means, it is nice to indulge in a Rolex or Louis Vuitton purse, but it comes at a moral cost. One could use that money to donate to a charity. Owning expensive items that most people cannot afford makes people believe that he/she is better than others. When the things that one owns starts to own oneself, one’s moral conscience deters. Success is determined in todays standards by how much money one makes. This is an unfair standard because earning money does not mean one has a successful life. If one identifies with the objects that one owns, one does not have a favorable
Motivation play an important role in today’s work environment as motivated employees are more productive employees. However, the ways how we motivate the employees have to be improved from time to time as employees are being more demanding and that they are more concern about their needs than before. Motivational strategies have probably affected the most by employee concerns and values (Greiner 1986, p. 82). ‘A motivational strategy is any effort to induce employees to initiate and sustain activities that can directly or indirectly improve service productivity’ (Greiner 1986, p. 82). Motivation can have an effect on the output of your business and concerns both quantity and quality. For example, if you are in a manufacturing company, your business actually relies heavily on your production staff to make sure that quality product are being produce and being delivered to your client at the right time. However, if your production employees are lack of motivation they will be not motivated to produce the amount of product demanded, thus will be very costly. In the essay below, we will be discussing on the strength and weaknesses of McClelland’s acquired needs theory and the expectancy theory.
It is my intention in this essay to explore some issues around motivation and cite work based experiences to illustrate and substantiate any arguments or points of view.
Thorstein Veblen Thorstein Veblen was an American economist and sociologist during the turn of the twentieth century. Veblen's approach to both economics and sociology was one of historic analysis. In his influential work, The Theory of the Leisure Class, Veblen examines the connection of the rise of feudal societies and a class within these societies that no longer engages in manual work. According to Veblen the arrival of the leisure class coincides with the ownership of property and the aggressive predatory lifestyle.
majority of employees need motivation to feel good about their jobs and perform optimally. Some employees are money oriented while others find acknowledgment and accolades personally motivating. Motivation levels within the workplace have a point-blank impact on employee effciency. Workers who are driven and excited about their jobs carry out their obligations/duties to the best of their capacity and generation numbers increment therefore. An impetus is an inspiring impact that is intended to drive
Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it.” Studies have found that high employee motivation goes hand in hand with strong organizational performance and profits. Therefore, managers are given the responsibility of finding the right combination of motivational techniques and rewards to satisfy employees’ needs and encourage great work performance. This becomes a bit more challenging as employees’ needs change from one generation to another. Three of the biggest challenges a manager faces in motivating employees today are the economy and threats to job security, technological advances, and company cultures that primarily focus on the bottom line.
Different companies and departments of those companies have very different approaches to motivate their workers to being the best they can. For example, I worked for three years at a food Store called Wegmans when I was younger. I worked as a cashier which was interesting to say the least. Managers were always trying to motivate the cashiers to go that much faster, be that much friendlier, and to be more efficient at every opportunity. They took many different approaches to find what would motivate each cashier, which was a difficult task considering how young each cashier was, the large number of us their were, and how different each employee was from the other.
Money is an important factor in the motivation of employees, as profit acts as a