Group Work on
Orson Scott Card's
"Ender's Game" and "Middle Woman"
(followed by some notes about issues in ethical leadership)

Break up into small groups. Delegate one or more members of your group to (1) prepare a summary of your group's discussion and (2) make a list of your group's members.

Discuss your answers to the following questions.

1.  In "Ender's Game," who is ultimately responsible for what happens by the end?  Why?  Who else shares responsibility?  Why?

2.  Given the circumstances,  was the leadership in "Ender's Game" right to proceed as they did?  Give examples of at least 2 leaders in your answer.

3. How did the leaders in "Ender's Game" try to solve the problems they faced?  What does this tell you about their character?  Please explain, using Aristotle's or Noddings' ideas about character.

4.  In  "Middle Woman,"   who is ultimately responsible for what happens by the end?  Why?  Who else shares responsibility?  Why?

5.  How did  Middle Woman try to solve the problems she faced?  What does this tell you about her character?  Please explain, using Aristotle's or Noddings' ideas about character.

April 29, 2010
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Some notes about issues in ethical leadership
1. Do no harm
2. Realize that #1 can be difficult or impossible, which leads to issues of responsibility
3.  Responsibility of leaders
     Responsibility of the lead
4. Some sources of authority
situational
structural & cultural
epistemic
5.  Some moral issues and readiness regarding the above
Kantian
Utilitarian
Aristotelian
Noddings' theory
6.  Some strategic considerations
Insights from Clausewitz, Sun Tzu, Lau Tzu
Clausewitz on simplicity, difficulty, and what might happen
Sun Tzu on what you need to know; motivation, development and deception
Lau Tzu on wu-wei and knowing when to stop; see #1 

Michael Kagan for PHL 302, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY, April 29, 2010

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