Monday, February 2, 2009

The Odyssey vs. Bogle

In Bogle's introduction he stresses the importance of things outside the business world such as family, an opinion which is shared by the hero of The Odyssey, Odysseus. Odysseus resists temptation from godesses sirens and kings because of his wish to return home and be with his wife and son in his house. This could be seen as similiar to the modern day trials that corporate executives face when they have to choose between devoting their life to their job or spending time with their families, not quite as epic as Odysseus' struggles but still very valid.
There are several points in The Odyssey that could be seen to represent the loss of values that Bogle talks about in his book. In The Odyssey all of them conclude with Odysseus righting the wrong and destroying the corruption that has entered his world. First he destroys Troy who's Prince disobeyed the rules of a guest by stealing the wife of his host. Then he blinds the cyclops who completely disreguards the rules of a host by eating his guests. And finally he destroys the suitors who have been abusing the hospitality of his houshold. I think Bogle wants to know if the american business world can find its Odysseus, someone who isn't afraid to stand up against corruption and when necessary destroy the violators, or if it is instead condemned to destruction and sharing in the fate of the Roman Empire.

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