The, Greed, And Hubris Of Action - 1236 Words

Duplicity, Greed, and Hubris in Action The beginning of the twenty first century marked the dawn of a new age, but with its arrival brought a chilling reality that saw the credibility of corporate America being sorely tested due to the scandals that rocked the foundation of capitalism at its heart and soul. This disconnects saw executive management and the board of directors at odds with shareholders and stakeholders over how to attain wealth accumulation while still creating an atmosphere of good corporate governance. This paradigm led some to question that if managers, who are the principal agents of the corporation, act in the best interest of the company or for themselves. Lord Acton once stated, â€Å"Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely†. There were three specific corporate scandals that led to failed confidence in the financial sector and the subsequent legislation known as Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 which attempted to address this malfeasance: En ron, WorldCom, and Arthur Andersen. Enron Notably, the most widely recognized scandal of all time because it led to a systemic lack of trust in corporations and the financial markets in general. Enron’s fraud was twofold; it included complex financial maneuvering through the use of special purpose entities that were used to hide risky investments and financial losses, while the faulty valuation of assets and profits hid the true financial status of the company. Greed led executives to devise schemesShow MoreRelatedThe Themes Of Greed In William Shakespeares Macbeth881 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeares play Macbeth portrays man as a species controlled by ones inner thoughts, greed and ultimately hubris. Mankind is often fueled by desire to acquire more, with little regard to possible negative or evil outcomes. When faced with an uncertain prophecy, Macbeth allows greed to overpower conscience, and ultimately allows malevolent powers within himself to dictate and lead to his demise. Shakespeare personifi es the witches- supernatural beings with no agenda, feared greatlyRead MoreOdysseus - Far From a Hero Essay851 Words   |  4 Pagesis definitely not taking the responsibility of a hero among his men. On almost any page you turn to in the epic, you can find some act of greed or foolishness coming from Odysseus. He plays with the lives of his men with no regard for the well-being or their families. Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris and selfishness. Odysseus is a Foolish and selfish leader, who makes rash decisions that kill his men just for his own personal gain. OdysseusRead MoreTheme Of Ambition In Macbeth1213 Words   |  5 Pagestyranny and paranoia after he acts immorally upon the witches prophecies. Macbeth’s pursuit of long lasting power reveals the consequences of hubris and unchecked ambition, which ultimately leads to the the deterioration of his human nature and the corruption of the kingdom. Through the use of thematic motif, the theme of Macbeth’s unchecked ambition and hubris is examined through his struggle to alter and actuate fate, his haunting hallucinations, and the apparitions. Macbeth’s attempt to determineRead MoreOedipus The King, Oedipus Downfall And Lack Of Divine Attributes1461 Words   |  6 PagesTHESIS STATEMENT In Sophocles Oedipus the King, Oedipus’ downfall was a result of the sin of hubris, as he believed that he obtained attributes of divinity, which blinded him from the truth. PURPOSE STATEMENT Through evaluation and analysis of literary criticisms on Oedipus the King, it is shown that the reason for Oedipus’ downfall was his hubris and lack of divine attributes. INTRODUCTION Oedipus assumed he acquired the divine attributes making him further from the truth and nearer to his downfallRead MoreThe Classical Age1305 Words   |  6 Pageswas called â€Å"hubris.† The pursuit for harmonious balance was the essence for developing the classical style. In order to become the most victorious and influential empire, the ancient Greeks had to establish principles and strategies to accomplish this great achievement. Success came from strength, intelligence and honor. All three virtues are what the Greeks carried on for centuries. Success in war, a powerful government, and arà ªte was the key to Greek excellence. Arrogance or hubris will bring youRead MoreCauses of Business Growth and Failure727 Words   |  3 Pagescause of business failure not commonly discussed is that of management hubris. Management, believing themselves to be better than they actually are, can cause extensive damage to business operations. Costly acquisitions, large bonuses, fraud, an d otherwise unethical behavior on the part of top management can cause business failure. This has occurred on numerous occasions with Enron, Tyco, and long list of companies. This hubris is particularly painful if the business is one that is systemically importantRead MoreExamples Of Hubris In The Necklace And The Cask Of Amontillado1526 Words   |  7 PagesOne is a story of revenge and murder, the other a story of greed and materialism. On the surface, the short stories appear quite different, but at their heart, a similar drive beats within the three main characters, determining their actions and altering the pathways of their lives. â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† by Edgar Allen Poe is a story of the proud Montresor, obsessed with getting revenge on the foolish Fortunato. â€Å"The Necklace† by Guy de Maupassant, is a story of a beautiful woman who felt sheRead MoreA Shakesperean Tragic Hero - Macbeth Essay1132 Words   |  5 Pagespersonality flaw. The character of Shakespeare’s Macbeth is in all ways the perfect example of a tragic hero. His greatness and bravery in battle for his country ultimately leads him to be a great thane and eventually a powerful king, making his actions have a significant impact on a country. Macbeth’s ambition on becoming a king leads to an obsession to remain in his current position. His ambition comes to a point where he falls to the temptation of evil which leads to Macbeth’s inevitable downfallRead MoreAeschylus Oresteia and Prometheus Bound: Hubris and the Chorus1666 Words   |  7 Pagesthe father of tragedy, Aeschylus introduced a second actor on stage, allowing for action and interaction to take place and establishing a caste of professional actors (Bloom, 45). He let the chorus converse with the characters, introduced elaborate costumes and stage designs. Two of Aeschylus plays, Oresteia and Prometheus Bound, illustrate the importance of Chorus and the characteristic concept of hubr is, or excessive pride, focusing on mans social and political consequences in the universeRead MoreEssay on Morality is Universal1235 Words   |  5 Pagessins] that have set these hearts on fire (Bartlett 80). This statement is quite true for these three enticements have existed evidently in belief systems and moral codes since the creation of fire. One of the most obvious portrayals of avarice or greed in Greek mythology is the tragic story of King Midas and his golden touch (Coolidge 90). Midas longed to be the wealthiest man in the world and asked the most foolish request of Dionysus -- to have the golden touch. Too late Midas realized his folly