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Ethics: What’s the Fuss?. Course Objectives. To gain insight into ethical behavior To understand why the terms “ethical” and “moral” are quite different (and why confusing them presents problems) To become familiar with inherent
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Ethics: What’s the Fuss?
Course Objectives To gain insight into ethical behavior To understand why the terms “ethical” and “moral” are quite different (and why confusing them presents problems) To become familiar with inherent conflicts in being ethical (if it weren’t hard, everyone would do it)
Ethics Principles of Professional Practice… "knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is the right thing to do." Potter Stewart, former Supreme Court JusticeThe study of what is good and bad, right and wrong, just and unjust.
Today's Headlines • Are they “moral” or “ethical” issues? • Corporate cheating, corruption • Corporate criminal behavior • Individual profiteering • Stock manipulation • Others?
In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Psychology professor Steven Davis says that cheating by high school students has increased from about 20 percent in the 1940’s to 75 percent today. “Students say cheating in high school is for grades, cheating in college is for a career.”
Is there an ethics crisis in America? One recent national election day poll indicated that 56 percent of voters thought that America’s problems are “primarily moral and social.” Only 36 percent thought that the nation’s problems were “primarily economic.”
When evaluating one’s goals and objectives, a vital question must be asked: What is your highest aspiration? A. Wealth B. Fame C. Knowledge D. Popularity E. Integrity
If integrity is second to any of the alternatives, then it is subject to sacrifice in situations where a choice must be made. Such situations will inevitably occur in every person’s life.
Many institutions of higher education have instituted policies regarding ethics education. For example, the Faculty Handbook of the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University includes the following statement: “Therefore, faculty and staff have a responsibility for creating an academic environment that promotes honest academic inquiry and teaches students ethical behavior in the process.”
Educational Institutions have established ethics codes for their students, e.g. the U.S. Air Force Academy: "We Will Not Lie, Steal Or Cheat, Nor Tolerate Among Us Anyone Who Does" -- Which do you think is the harder part: Line 1 or Line 2? Why?
“To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.” Abraham Lincoln Do you think this relates to line 2 of the U.S.A.F. Academy Code of Honor?
Can ethics be taught? Teddy Roosevelt said, “To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.”
In his best-seller, The Closing of the American Mind, Allan Bloom says that the eternal conflict between good and evil has been replaced with “I’m okay, you’re okay.” Students unthinkingly embrace a blind tolerance in which they consider it “moral” never to think they are right because that mean someone else is wrong. [Allan Bloom, The Closing of the American Mind, New York, Simon and Schuster, Inc. 1987]
Whether we derive a code of ethics from religious beliefs, a study of history and literature, or personal experience and observation: We can all agree upon some basic values.
Be sure you are right, then go ahead. Davy Crockett 1786-1836
When the situation needs improvement, Gandhi offers guidance: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
“To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.” (Confucius)
“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy.”General H. Norman Schwarzkopf
Ethics: What’s the Fuss?
Ethics • “Right vs. right” decisions • Come from the “head” (intellect) • Codes of expected behavior • Approved guidelines • Derived from morals
Knowing the right thing to do… and doing it!Is it legal?Is it fair?How will it make me feel about myself?
Sources of Ethical Behavior Family Cultural experience Religion Law Genetic inheritance Professional codes of ethics
Guidelines for making ethical decisions The Golden Rule The Iron Rule Utilitarianism Ethical concepts: value of life, goodness, justice, truth-telling, individual freedom
Ethical Leadership and Decision-making • Personal ethics • Ethics of the community • Professional code(s) of ethics • http://www.aafcs.org/about/ethics.html • http://www.eatright.org/Public/GovernmentAffairs/98_9051.cfm • http://www.naeyc.org/about/positions/PSETH05.asp • https://www.nea.org/aboutnea/code.html • http://www.iida.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=304 • Business, organization or institutional code of ethics
1. Beneficence - Do good First Priority - best interests/welfare of the client, patient, student or customer Safety for all Knowledge based service(s) – competence Accountable
3. Truthfulness - whole truth Free of conflict of interest or conflict of commitment Duty to warn
4. Justice Don’t Discriminate Respect and support diversity Follow all laws
5. Confidentiality • HEPA • Employee Information • Disciplinary Information • Gossip
What are your ethics? An ethics self-assessment quiz http://www.newint.org/issue289/quizque.htm
After five years of hard work, Billy Bob has finally fulfilled the requirements for graduation from the University of Erehwon. While looking through his files, Billy Bob found an essay which he had handed in to his Ethics teacher during his first semester at the University of Erehwon. Billy Bob immediately experienced feelings of shame and guilt. The essay was plagiarized. Billy Bob's Ethics teacher did not catch the plagiarism, and Billy Bob received an "A" in the class. Questions: What ethical issues are involved in this situation? What are Billy Bob's options? What should Billy Bob do? Why? Would your opinion change if Billy Bob was a compulsive plagiarist? Why or why not?
Ethic dilemmas Funny or tasteless? Harmless or harmful? Is it ethical to change this photograph?? Why?
Morality • “Right vs. Wrong” decisions • “From the heart and the brain” • “Feels” like the right thing • According to the way I was taught, this IS the right thing
Approaches to Ethical Decisions Situation-Based Rule-Based People-Based
Situation-Based What is the best possible outcome given these circumstances?
Rule-Based Follow the rules, and let the chips fall where they may
People-Based Follow the Golden Rule: what would you have others do if faced by the same situation?
Inherent Weaknesses Situation-Based: Do the ends justify the means? Rule-Based: What should the rules be? People-Based: Who is to say if the moral code of the decider is good or bad? Codes of Ethics can help overcome weaknesses
Where Do We Start? Upon What Can We Agree?
Codes of Ethics • Provide set, agreed-upon guidelines for the behavior of those who adhere to them • Examples: • Law Enforcement Code of Ethics • American Medical Association Code of Ethics • Is there a Fire Service Code of Ethics?
Questions to Assist in Ethical Decision Making • Deciding Whether the Situation Has Ethical Dimensions • Gathering Information • Identifying and Evaluating Alternatives • Reaching the Decision • Monitoring the Decision
‘The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.’ - Margaret Chase Smith, first woman elected to both houses of the U.S. Congress
The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour. Japanese proverb
