ETHICS

Ethics The principles by which people distinguish what is normally right. The principles by which people distinguish what is normally right.

9 “the study of good and evil, or right and wrong, of duty and obligation in human conduct, and of reasoning and choice about them” “the study of good and evil, or right and wrong, of duty and obligation in human conduct, and of reasoning and choice about them” Ethics

Making Ethical Decisions There are no hard-and-fast rules. There are no hard-and-fast rules. Two possibilities might seem equally ethical or unethical. Two possibilities might seem equally ethical or unethical.

Psychology of Learning Duality Duality Multiplicity Multiplicity Absolute (Expert) Absolute (Expert)

Duality During our formative years as children. During our formative years as children. –Right & Wrong –Black & White –True & False

Multiplicity As we become acclimated to university, we find that there are many attributes that fall outside duality. As we become acclimated to university, we find that there are many attributes that fall outside duality. –There is a lot gray

Expert With experience and higher education, you become the expert. With experience and higher education, you become the expert. –You become the one that others look for answers.

4 Exercise: Values  A married woman in a concentration camp faces eventual death. She makes a decision to attempt to become pregnant by one of the German guards.  A married woman in a concentration camp has four children and a husband safe in Berlin asking her to escape. She decides to become pregnant by a guard. It was customary in some German Concentration camps to release a woman if she became pregnant.

5 Exercise: Values  An elderly gentleman expressed his desire that should a heart transplant be needed by someone at the time of the elderly man’s death, his heart be used for transplant. The elder gentleman is now near death and is being sustained in life by a breathing apparatus. His is unconscious and, according to all possible medical predications, has only a few days to live. A young man of 35 is in need of a heart transplant within 24 hours to be able to live. The doctors and the family of the elderly man decided to kill him painlessly with a drug in order for the transplant to be possible.  Young people should be able to practice birth control or get abortions without parental knowledge.

7 Exercise: Values  The use of drugs should be an individual decision, not one made by society.  Loyalty is more important then integrity.  Women should be allowed to fight in combat in defense of their country.  Sexual orientation should have no bearing in selection or promotion for any job.  One’s career should come before one’s family.

8 Exercise: Values Affirmative action should be abolished Affirmative action should be abolished Race/gender should be an admissions criteria for graduate school. Race/gender should be an admissions criteria for graduate school. Abortions are akin to murder. Abortions are akin to murder. There should be no separation of church and state.There should be no separation of church and state. The ends sometimes justifies the means. The ends sometimes justifies the means.

Rules for Ethical Decisions Does the decision meet the standards of the golden rule. The decision should not be more harmful than the current situation. Does the decision meet the standards of the golden rule. The decision should not be more harmful than the current situation. Does the decision result in the greatest good for the greatest number. Does the decision result in the greatest good for the greatest number. How would you feel explaining your decision to a television audience? How would you feel explaining your decision to a television audience? Will your boss and peers agree that you have the right thing. Will your boss and peers agree that you have the right thing.

Rules for Ethical Decisions Will those affected by your decision believe you were fair? Will those affected by your decision believe you were fair?

10 Sources of Ethics Customs Customs Rules Rules Goals Goals Circumstances Circumstances