Morally Mute Managers

School of Graduate Studies
Central Philippine University

Jaro, Iloilo City
The Morally Mute Manager: Fact or Fiction?
By Donald C. Menzel
Submitted to:
Florence P. Bogacia, Ph.D
In partial fulfilment
Of the Course Requirements
In Political/Social & Ethical Issues in Business Environment
MBA 726
Submitted by:
Joynen A. Baldevarona
October 21, 2017

The Morally Mute Manager: Fact or Fiction is an article written by Donald C. Menzel
that tries to give the readers a clear picture of what is really happening in the government and put
into the open the ethical issues and politics in the public office.
Many scholars tried to assert their opinions and suggested solutions but met with little
success. As mentioned in the article, Dr. Charles E. Mitchel believes that one answer lies in
instilling an appropriate value system in our leaders through a revamping of educational
system in which institutions such as colleges and universities that prepare men and women for
public service careers should take steps to inculcate values that will foster ethical, moral and
legal behaviors.
However, it is a direct contrast to scientific Management of Frederick W. Taylor

which he believed that the application of its principles in the industry and government would lift
the country out of its wasteful and unproductive habits to the benefit of all. Taylors appeal
resonated well with government reformers and the movement to create an impartial and merit
based civil service. Scientific management places more emphasis on the work or job and not on
the personal or political friendship. The separation of management from politics is what
Woodrow Wilson had envisioned. It is to make the running of government more business-like
and to take politics out of government.
However, impartiality meant being neutral; and neutrality meant that public servants
had no claims to values (personal, social, political). They just need do carry out their official
duties and follow their superiors decisions even at the expense of their morality. This resulted to
the appearance of amoral or morally mute managers. Morally mute managers are defined as
people who did not voice or act on their sense of morality while holding a public office.
Furthermore, running a public office or the government in the same way you manage
corporations should have certain boundaries. If some corporations culture puts high regard on
the output or delivery of duties more than the how it was done, in public office it should be
different. The how should always matter the same with the outcome. You cannot turn a blind-
eye on the wrongdoings just because a person delivered his job well. Regardless of the results,
what is morally wrong is always wrong.
Citizens put their trust on the government and respect the public officials. Thus, it is the
responsibility of the public officials to honor this trust by putting their welfare above personal
gains.
The title of the article is asking if the concept of morally mute managers is either a fact
or a fiction. After reading Menzels article and trying to compare it with my observations from
news, other articles and even experiences with my own countrys government and private sectors
I can say that morally mute managers do exist and it is a fact.
Morally mute managers are like puppets and they are threats to a democratic and ethical
government. They will carry out their duties even if they are morally wrong as long as they are
not illegal even if it could harm someone. It appears that their ethical behavior has been reduced
to staying out of trouble and disregarding their sense of morality. However, Gawthrops believed
that ethics and morality cannot be separated and that ethics is morality in action.
Menzel as an author was able to clearly deliver the underlying message in his article that
people in the public office whether elected or appointed should have high regards of ethics and
morality. They should exhibit integrity and conduct themselves in honorable ways. True
democracy, effective and honest government and peace can only be achieved if people become
morally committed. Just imagine what a wonderful nation it will be if everyone lives honorably
and are not moral mutes. There will be no corruption, civil wars, discrimination and everyone is
living in perfect harmony.

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School of Graduate Studies

Central Philippine University

The Morally Mute Manager: Fact or Fiction?

October 21, 2017

However, it is a direct contrast to scientific Management of Frederick W. Taylor

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