One of the more famous and controversial figures of the 20Th century passed away recently. I am referring of course to Robert Strange McNamara. You were thinking of someone else?
McNamara was famous because he was appointed president of Ford Motors and Secretary of Defense in the Kennedy Administration before his 45Th birthday. In fact, he was the first Ford president outside of the Ford family.
McNamara possessed a rigid and rational mind honed by statistical analysis. His belief in rational policy analysis transformed both the Ford Motor Company and America's military structure.
However, rational analysis does not work for every issue or challenge. War serves as a prime example. McNamara believed he could manage war like he managed an assembly line or a budget. He was wrong and the Vietnam War serves as a constant reminder.
Additionally, another issue with McNamara was his relationship with the truth. He has a way of remembering decisions that absolved him of failure and criticism.
Interesting person. Interesting life.
...and interesting comments. Are you saying that thinking rationally is not all that it is cracked up to be? :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's time we define rationality. See my posts from last month on this. Whose rationality? Which warrnated assumptions?
ReplyDeleteJekabs,
ReplyDeleteMcNamara realized everything goes out the window in a time of war. He developed a plan based on rational assumptions which (based on his formula) would force North Vietnam to capitulate within 6 months. That was in 1966.
Things did not work out that way.
I do believe in objective rationality, so it would not be relevant to me to ask "whose rationality", as long as we are talking about a human being, of course.
ReplyDeleteI need to read the posts from last month.
"believe" is actually the wrong word here. I "argue for" objective rationality; I "live according" to it.
ReplyDeletethat's better.
It is very interesting how we become good at something and can no longer break out that mindset. You get something in your head as the best way of doing something and can't see any other possible way. This post did give me hope as I am definately not always a rational thinker! I prefer to step outside of the box!
ReplyDelete~ Ashley Lamb