Kevin Martinez Is Business Bluffing Ethical?
Reading this article on bluffing and having a class discussion has changed my perspective
on whether I think bluffing is ethical or unethical in business. The shifts of discussions
during class created two dilemmas. Is lying ethical? And is bluffing in business ethical?
These questions developed a dissimilar response on two very identical themes.
The first question we discussed in class was about lying. Based on German professor Kant,
lying of any sort is wrong. He argued that moral rules have no exceptions, no matter what
the circumstances are, lying should never be done. However I respectfully disagree with
his statement, since I do believe that lying is necessary when extreme circumstances are
present. This builds up to bluffing in business.
While lying is necessary in extreme occurrences, I believe that this phenomenon naturally
correlates to the act of bluffing. Before having the class discussion, I thought that bluffing
is just another term for lying. But according to this article bluffing is nothing but a “game
strategy”. Although bluffing still defeats the questioning of morality. A prime example is a
game of poker. When you’re playing poker bluffing is expected between everyone. It’s just
a game strategy. But when we are discussing about bluffing in business, I believe that it is
morally inappropriate.
My conflicting dilemma of whether bluffing in business ethical or unethical still subsists.
As I get closer to a decision, I learn that there are significant facts to consider from the
other argument that alter my decision. Not only did this article made me question my own
thought process, it also changed my complete understanding on bluffing in business.