1. The Deficit—A moral conundrum
I have only two skills: An analytical mind and the ability to speak in metaphors.
Here we go.
This is an example of a moral conundrum.
You arrive at work. You clock in. You go to your machine, put your Igloo® Brand
cooler down by your machine, open it, and take out the key to your locker.
In the process of opening your cooler, a co-worker sees a delicious, imported
chocolate bar sitting on top of your lunch.
You go to get your tools. You leave your cooler unattended.
Now, your company has a strict no-stealing policy. Caught stealing—you’re fired.
When you return from your locker, you see your supervisor, the manager, and a
co-worker standing by your cooler. There is a problem.
Apparently, your co-worker stole your candy bar. The manager shows you the
candy bar. A large piece is missing. The manager is angry. Your co-worker is
upset. You supervisor looks to you for a way out.
Just then, the little Angel appears on one shoulder. He says, “Oh, be forgiving.”
Then, the little devil appears on your other shoulder. “Let him suffer the
punishment, “he says.
“Be merciful. It was a good candy bar. Perhaps he couldn’t resist,” the Angel
says.
“That’s the point,” the devil says. “It was a really good candy bar. The good
chocolate. Don’t let him get away with that!”
“Oh, don’t be mean. It was a really, really good, imported, delicious Belgian
chocolate, chocolate bar. The temptation was too great. Be forgiving, be
merciful,” The Angel says.
“That’s the whole point, the devil says. It was a phenomenal, delicious, imported,
expensive, Belgian chocolate candy bar. Don’t let him weasel out it. Have him
fire!