Barry Schwartz: Our loss of wisdom

Summary

In this thought-provoking speech, the speaker emphasizes the importance of practical wisdom over mere brilliance, using the example of hospital janitors who go beyond their job descriptions to care for patients. He argues that wisdom, a combination of moral will and skill, is essential for making exceptions to rules and improvising in real-world situations. The speaker criticizes over-reliance on rules and incentives, which can undermine moral will and skill, and calls for a re-moralization of work, celebrating moral exemplars, and creating environments that nurture practical wisdom.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Barack Obama's appeal to virtue in his inaugural address was a call for individuals to rise above the financial crisis by putting aside selfish interests and focusing on moral actions.
• 🧹 The story of hospital janitors illustrates how moral will and skill can significantly improve patient care, even when their job descriptions do not explicitly mention human interaction.
• 🤔 The concept of 'practical wisdom' combines moral will and skill, allowing individuals to make exceptions to rules when necessary and to improvise in ambiguous situations.
• 🎷 Wisdom in real-world problems is likened to jazz music, requiring the ability to adapt and create solutions that fit the context and people involved.
• 👶 The lemonade story serves as an example of how over-reliance on rules and procedures can lead to absurd and harmful outcomes, highlighting the need for wisdom beyond rigid systems.
• 📚 The scripted nature of modern education is criticized for promoting mediocrity and stifling the moral skill of teachers by not trusting their judgment.
• 💡 Incentives, while seemingly logical, can sometimes compete with intrinsic motivation, reducing the likelihood of desired actions and potentially undermining moral will.
• 🌳 The story of re-foresting in Indonesia emphasizes the importance of understanding and engaging with local communities for successful and sustainable projects.
• 🏆 Celebrating moral exemplars, like Atticus Finch or Aaron Feuerstein, can inspire individuals and re-moralize work by acknowledging and being proud of moral heroes.
• 🏫 As educators, embodying character and respect is crucial for teaching kids these values, as they learn more from observing role models than from formal instruction.
• 🛠 Practical wisdom is essential for allowing other virtues to be expressed appropriately, and it should be nurtured within individuals and organizations to foster a virtuous cycle of moral actions.

Q & A

What did Barack Obama appeal to in his inaugural address regarding the financial crisis?

Barack Obama appealed to virtue, asking people to put aside childish things and not follow the path of his predecessor or simply trust the country and invest without considering the moral implications.

What is the significance of the hospital janitor job description in the context of the speech?

The hospital janitor job description is significant because it lacks any mention of human interaction, yet the janitors' actions involving kindness, care, and empathy are crucial for improving patient care and hospital operations, highlighting the importance of moral will and skill beyond job descriptions.

What does the speaker mean by 'practical wisdom'?

'Practical wisdom' refers to the combination of moral will and moral skill, as described by Aristotle. It involves knowing when and how to make exceptions to rules, improvising, and using moral skills in the service of the right aims.

How does the speaker relate the actions of the janitors to the concept of wisdom?

The speaker relates the actions of the janitors to wisdom by illustrating how their moral will and skill in caring for patients exemplify practical wisdom. They use their judgment to go beyond their job descriptions to serve others, which is a characteristic of wise individuals.

What is the potential downside of relying too heavily on rules and incentives, as discussed in the speech?

Relying too heavily on rules and incentives can lead to a decline in moral skill and will. Rules can stifle the ability to improvise and learn, while incentives can undermine the intrinsic motivation to do the right thing, leading to a focus on self-interest over ethical considerations.

Why does the speaker argue against teaching ethics as a separate course?

The speaker argues against teaching ethics as a separate course because it implies that ethics is a marginal topic rather than an integral part of all professional activities. It suggests that ethics is not serious and can be compartmentalized, rather than being a core value in all aspects of work.

What examples does the speaker provide to illustrate the negative impact of an over-reliance on rules?

The speaker provides examples such as the lemonade story, where a child was unnecessarily taken from his family due to strict adherence to procedures, and the scripted curricula in modern American education, which lead to mediocrity by not trusting teachers' judgment.

How does the speaker use the story of Aaron Feuerstein to make a point about moral exemplars?

The speaker uses the story of Aaron Feuerstein, who kept all his employees on payroll after a factory fire, to illustrate the importance of moral exemplars. Feuerstein's actions demonstrate that doing the right thing can be more valuable than short-term financial gain, inspiring others to act with moral integrity.

What role does the speaker suggest organizations should play in fostering moral skill and will?

The speaker suggests that organizations should create environments that encourage and nurture both moral skill and moral will. They should ensure that job descriptions do not limit employees to tasks devoid of human interaction and that the organizational culture supports the development of practical wisdom.

How does the speaker connect the concept of practical wisdom to the broader theme of the speech?

The speaker connects practical wisdom to the broader theme by asserting that it allows other virtues to be expressed appropriately. Practical wisdom is essential for making ethical decisions in complex, real-world situations, which is a central message of the speech advocating for a return to moral considerations in professional life.