Jonah Lehrer, the author of How We Decide, who was quoted in Dr. Reese’s Spotlight Presentation made a really bad decision in this past year. He plagiarized materials and lost his job and much of his reputation for it. Read the following two online articles and watch this YouTube clip to learn more details:
“Jonah Lehrer Resigns from the New Yorker,” Politico, July 30, 2012
“Gladwell Makes Excuses for Lehrer,” Columbia Journalism Review, June 21, 2012
It appears that Lehrer has a different story to tell and is considering writing about this experience. Read the following article to learn more:
“Is Jonah Lehrer Angling for a New Book Deal,” Slate Magazine, Sept 25, 2012
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QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
- What would you like to ask Jonah Lehrer about his decisions and how they were made?
- How do you think it is possible that someone who is an expert in decision-making could make such a bad decision? What factors do you think might have been at work?
- Do you think the consequences of Lehrer’s actions fit the crime? Why or why not?
- Often we read about Christian leaders who make bad decisions that cost them their jobs and reputations. How might one go about safeguarding against making bad decisions?
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