Oxford University Press, 1996. The Politics of Ethics draws on literature, philosophy, management theory and management practice, both routine and extraordinary, to fashion a unique contribution to business ethics literature. Not all of the potential audiences for this book will agree with the conclusions reached here nor will they likely be at ease listening to the discourse of the other realms but they will certainly be intrigued. While Nielsen is interested in what an Aristotle or Hegel might think about an issue, he is more concerned with the practical uses to which philosophic insight might be put. Philosophers may find the book problematic for a different reason.
Philosophical discourse turns up in surprising places.
Sometimes, as in the case of Kierkegaard, a thinker appears in a guise utterly at odds with his plain intention. There may be , finally, an enormous philosophical problem entwined in Nielsen s suggestion that ethical actors might best imitate the Greek god Proteus, he of the constantly changing shapes, and adapt different strategies depending on the circumstances. But the ordinary reader, and the human resources professional, will find great benefit in three aspects of Nielsen s work. One can, for instance, reason with and encourage Socrates Jailer, who knows what the good is but lacks courage. Dialogue with Richard III, who chooses consistently and with full knowledge, to do evil, will be unavailing.