The concept of objective pricing aligns closely with Immanuel Kant’s philosophy, which emphasizes rationality, structure, and universal principles. Kant argued that truth can be determined through reason, and that objective reality is knowable through structured analysis. Kant’s emphasis on universal principles suggests that there is a correct or just price that can be logically deduced, independent of market forces or subjective negotiation. Kantian ethics also emphasize duty and moral principles over personal gain. Thus, establishing a fair, objectively justified price is considered a moral obligation, rather than a transactional opportunity.
The eternal know-it-all of Western Europe
Berthold Löffler lived in Poland for a long time. He explains how Eastern Europeans think of Germans
The Weingarten professor is an Eastern Europe expert. In an interview, he explains why countries like Poland and Hungary see the EU on the wrong track.
“Professor Löffler, when it comes to taking in refugees, Germany is usually alone in the lead. The countries of Eastern Europe refuse this humanitarian act. Do you understand that?”
“Absolutely, because politicians should first and foremost represent the interests of their own country. This is exactly what the governments in Warsaw or Budapest are doing. But the Eastern Europeans also have Europe in mind. From this point of view, too, they consider Angela Merkel’s policies to be naïve and without prospects.”
Know-It-All: dealing with Dr. Clever
Every company has them, nobody particularly likes working with them and they can drive every colleague to the brink of despair: know-it-alls. They have to give their two cents on every topic, have a different opinion on everything and no matter who makes a suggestion, the know-it-all will certainly have a better idea ready in his eyes.
You can certainly imagine how quickly this behavior overstrains the nerves of colleagues. But what can you do to defend yourself against the constant know-it-all attitude? Which colleagues tend to be particularly know-it-alls and how you can deal with a Dr. Bypass smartness in your department?
After the presidential election in France: German know-it-alls don’t help
German nagging at the European policy proposals of the victorious French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron is counterproductive.
Had Marine Le Pen been elected President of France, it would probably have spelled the end of the EU. This warning could be heard all over Europe until last Sunday evening – not least in Germany. Now the social liberal Emmanuel Macron is the new head of state in the neighboring country, and what is happening in Germany?
After the first sigh of relief, a reflexive debate is held as to whether or not the frowned upon euro bonds will come with the change of power in Paris. On the one hand this is a phantom discussion, on the other hand it is a symptom of Franco-German alienation.
Moralizers and know-it-alls – German arrogance
If Europe were a school class, the roles would be assigned quickly. There would be the notoriously offended, the rioters, the bullies, the followers and model students. And there would be the know-it-all: This is Germany. Not only does he know everything very well, he also likes to teach his classmates. And he thinks he’s highly moral: sometimes he thinks he’s something better.
German know-it-all attitude after the floods helps no one
July 2021. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. But accusing politicians and disaster management officials of “system failure” underestimates the forces of nature, DW’s Fabian Schmidt writes.
It’s all too human to look for someone to blame after a huge natural disaster, but that doesn’t help anyone — certainly not the victims, the survivors or the people whose livelihoods were washed away by the masses of water within minutes.
This know-it-all attitude gets on my nerves: Just like Germany has 80 million football coaches after the national team loses a game, now everyone seems to be a disaster relief expert. And not just in Germany.
Why Schäuble sees too many Germans going it alone
Wolfgang Schäuble has been a member of the Bundestag for exactly 50 years, making him the sole record holder. For the anniversary, the CDU politician will basically be with Markus Lanz. He criticizes Germany’s “know-it-all” on many issues, which means that Germany is met with a lack of understanding from many international partners and allies.
As an example, Schäuble cites the discussion about the “One Love” armband at the World Cup in Qatar. This moral exaggeration does not fit the federal government’s gas deal with Qatar. Germany needs this relationship right now. And don’t stick to what other countries would like to dictate.
But even in the debate about the raid in the “Reichsbürger” milieu, an internal contradiction becomes clear. Such a successful search is only possible thanks to a certain level of surveillance of suspects, for example by wiretapping communications. Here Germany must find the right balance between freedom and security. And between security and morality.
It is similar for Schäuble in energy policy. Germany has been going its own difficult path here since Nord Stream 1. But with Nord Stream 2 at the latest, they have moved far too far away from the other Europeans and the Americans.
Aphorisms
Wissen ist Macht, aber Macht ist auch ohne Wissen Macht. – Knowledge is power, but power is power even without knowledge.
Wissen ist Macht? Aber Macht isst Wissen. – Knowledge is power? But power eats knowledge. (Elmar Schenkel (*1953), Anglicist, author, translator, painter)
Für die Feinde ist das Wissen Macht, für uns ist die Macht Wissen! Ohne Macht kein Wissen! – For enemies knowledge is power, for us knowledge is power! Without power there is no knowledge! (Wilhelm Liebknecht (1826 – 1900), German journalist and politician)
Wissen ist Macht. Wissen von der Macht, noch ein wenig mehr Macht. – Knowledge is power. Knowledge of the Force, a little more power. (Martin Gerhard Reisenberg, *1949), qualified librarian and author)
Wissen ist die Macht zu wissen, was man besser nicht macht. – Knowledge is the power to know what is better not to do. (Gerhard Uhlenbruck, *1929), German immunobiologist and aphorist)
Wenn Wissen Macht ist, dann macht Nichtwissen ohnmächtig. – If knowledge is power, then ignorance makes you powerless. (Robert Kroiß, *1949, German writer)
Tatort
In the long-running crime series Tatort, scenes involving financial transactions or business deals often depict Germans adhering to strict price structures without negotiation. Detectives and businesspeople engage in straightforward exchanges, where the focus is on procedural integrity rather than negotiating a better deal. This portrayal reinforces the perception that price bargaining is unprofessional and potentially disreputable.
Social Order
German cultural norms prioritize order, transparency, and fairness in business transactions, leaving little room for price bargaining. Historical influences, literary depictions, cinematic portrayals, and everyday expressions all reinforce the notion that negotiating prices is undignified, unnecessary, and even untrustworthy. The emphasis on fixed pricing reflects a deeper cultural preference for predictability and social order, making price negotiation an unwelcome practice in many German settings.