> That example does not make any sense to me. Why would one side feel they'd gotten the better of the opposite side just because both are fully satisfied?
They'd feel this way if they did not know what the other side intended to do with what they received. I think it's pretty common to keep quiet on the the reasons why you want something during negotiations, to avoid giving the other party leverage.
I generally agree with you about fair and unfair deal-making. I think it is always important to consider more than just money when you are making deals, for example, you also are dealing in your own reputation when you make agreements with people. A deal that is grossly unfair to the other party from a financial perspective may also carry a heavy cost to your own reputation (which could also have future financial consequences).
That said, I don't think there is anything immoral in coming out of a deal in a better position than the person you made the deal with. Not every deal is equally beneficial to all parties involved. I have made some deals where I am sure the person I dealt with got a better deal than I did, but so long as I didn't feel ripped off, I was okay with that.
They'd feel this way if they did not know what the other side intended to do with what they received. I think it's pretty common to keep quiet on the the reasons why you want something during negotiations, to avoid giving the other party leverage.
I generally agree with you about fair and unfair deal-making. I think it is always important to consider more than just money when you are making deals, for example, you also are dealing in your own reputation when you make agreements with people. A deal that is grossly unfair to the other party from a financial perspective may also carry a heavy cost to your own reputation (which could also have future financial consequences).
That said, I don't think there is anything immoral in coming out of a deal in a better position than the person you made the deal with. Not every deal is equally beneficial to all parties involved. I have made some deals where I am sure the person I dealt with got a better deal than I did, but so long as I didn't feel ripped off, I was okay with that.