Assignment - Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
1.Capitalism is vital to our way of life, and yet the Enron case clearly shows ways in which this economic system may be abused. What kinds of abuses did you witness in the film? What kinds of vices were evident?
2.All economic systems (as is true of all "systems") have their weaknesses. What weaknesses in the capitalistic system were evident in the film, "Enron: the Smartest Guys in the Room?"
3.How do you think an egoist, Aristotle would have advised Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling if they were their Ethics Officers?
4.How would you characterize Andy Fastow's role in this company and the repercussions of his role?
5.Who do you think is responsible for Enron's downfall? Why? Think carefully about this one!
6.Enron's slogan was "Ask Why?" Does that strike you as ironic? Socrates loved to ask "why?" What do you think are some questions that he would ask Ken Lay, Jeffrey Skilling, and Andy Fastow?
7.Do you think that we now live in a "Culture of Greed?" Are all of us guilty in our own ways of perpetuating a "Culture of Greed?"
8.Did you find mark to market accounting ethical? Explain.
9.What motivated Lou Pai's actions?
10.What was your knowledge about Enron before this documentary? What did you learn and how are you able to apply it in your life?