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Published online: 3 December 2013
© Indian Institute of Management Calcutta 2013
Abstract In this paper the authors employ the Aristotelian virtue ethics framework of character development and habitual cultivation of courage to analyse the character of Santiago, the protagonist of Ernest Hemingway's novel The Old Man and the Sea. This analysis is an attempt to reposition Santiago as a character who exhibits unflinching adherence to his vocational code of ethics in the execution of his work and demonstrates noble courage in battling adversities of his life and career. It is in his capacity as a professional (fisherman) that he can become relevant to the modern day business managers presenting to him the Aristotelian treatise of practical wisdom, virtue and courage through his character architecture and consummate craftsmanship.
Keywords Literature · Management · Aristotle · Hemingway · Santiago · Courage · Character · Practical wisdom · Virtue ethics
Introduction
Santiago is an illustrious character resurrected from the Nobel Prize winning novella The Old Man and the Sea (1952) where he has been limned as the fountainhead of sagacity by his creative progenitor, Ernest Hemingway. This paper endeavours to delin- eate this character as an immaculate practitioner of his profession who not only models technical expertise in his domain, but also presents a scintillating portraiture of ethical code of conduct that directs his vocational demeanour.
In this paper the authors want to focus on binary objectives: (1) to understand the character develop- ment and practical wisdom of Santiago within the framework of Aristotelian virtue ethics. (2) To illus- trate in day-to-day context of wars, boxing contests, bullfights, fishing and hunting events culled from great literature enlightening lessons in leadership, manage- ment and business ethics through the architecture of a character with whom the reader can identify easily. The paper showcases diverse facets of Santiago's personality that can guide a management practitioner in fine execution of his vocational duties, prompt him to act virtuously not only by applying practical rationality, but also by making him internalize the value of working with a clean conscience, material- izing a vision (goal) and accomplishing a mission (means) in a way that can inspire his corporate followers.
Theoretical background
Though the utilitarianism versus consequentialism debate occupies much space in...