...Applying Ethical Theories to Whistleblowing Didi G. Wright Stevenson University Every day as professionals, we are faced with challenging ethical dilemmas to report perceived wrongdoings or some breach of trust by our coworkers. As individuals, each of us has set of values and beliefs that we adhere to and used as guides or moral compasses when making difficult decisions. Cynthia Cooper like many of us was faced with a similar conflict which she was hesitant to speak out because of the many people involved and the consequences of her action. If I were in the place of Cooper, I believe I would have spoken out and tell the truth after all other alternatives to resolve the issue had been considered or rejected. Bok cautioned us to weigh our responsiblity to serve the public interest against our responsibility to institution and colleagues. Similarly, I believe duty and loyalty lie with both the public that I serve and my colleagues with whom I serve to tell the truth. As a public health professional, my actions or inactions can have dire consequences. Therefore I am required to uphold the public trust. Many organizations like mine have a code of ethics that require its employees to expose inappropriate behaviors whenever and wherever they are uncovered. Additionally, employees are required to abide by these rules of ethical behaviors and always do the right. Aristotle’s theory deemphasizes rules, consequences and particular acts and places the focus...
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...collecting a data with interest of collecting a valuable data to make the best decisions. Statisticians should not favor any particular data. Statistics must apply Christian worldview principles of trust and honesty. It is an important standard to have for collecting statistic data. The numbers in collected data must be truthful. Utilitarianism ethical theory is most applicable for me. It’s about sacrificing few to save many. The Trolley Problem could be a supportive theory for the utilitarianism. The problem tells about a speeding train with full of passengers sees that there are few workers standing in on the rail road up ahead. To save those few, should the train hit the hard break which will kill all the passengers; or should they run over the few to save many in the train? Utilitarianism theory would support an idea of sacrificing those few to save many. I support that theory as well. If it’s a situation where one side must be sacrificed, it is more ethical choice to save many than few. Utilitarianism theory allows statisticians to stay on task, and preventing to make emotional or personal relationship to a particular data. The theory allows the statistics to stay honest and truthful, creating most corrective conclusions. Christian...
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...Applying Ethical Theories to the Media and its Responsibilities Danielle Carter SOC 120 Introduction to Ethics & Social Responsibility (ACG1417K) Professor Ravenelle May 11, 2014 Applying Ethical Theories to the Media and its Responsibilities Media is best defined as a means of communication that reaches and could possibly influence people widely through radio, television, newspapers, magazines, and most recently the internet (media, n.d.). Malcom X stated it best when he said, “The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses” (Malcom X, n.d.). No matter if you are young or old, rich or poor, or what race you are, media can influence a person both positively and negatively. The media has the ability to make a person that no one knew one day to the most talked about person in a country and they are also capable of running a person’s life in the matter of seconds. The main responsibility the media has is to present unbiased, fair, and accurate information to the public. The media typically reports on local weather, local traffic and traffic related accidents, local, nationwide, and sometimes worldwide crime, sports news and scores, government issues and news, entertainment news, and anything that would be of high public interest or controversies. Many ethical theories such as utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics...
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...Affirmative Action The intention of this paper is to make a real argument against the performance of affirmative action using logical arguments ethical theories, and perspectives. This paper will examine in what way a Utilitarian, Deontologist, Virtue Ethicist, Relativist and an Ethical Egoist would debate against the use of affirmative action. The case will be made by demonstrating why this practice is unquestionably unethical and discriminatory. Affirmative action is frequently used to give subgroups a benefit when applying for jobs, colleges or other organizations. In some cases, companies are financially incentivized to be racially diverse and in other instances extra points are given for test results. The result of these practices enables candidates, which could be less experienced to satisfy a position, to be chosen in order to achieve minority quotas. Affirmative action was passed to push back opposed to racism after segregation was viewed unlawful in order to get the government and employers to employ minorities; however, it is twisted by issues. In order to comprehend how an ethical perspective or theory would deal with affirmative action, it is necessary to first comprehend the view or approach. Utilitarianism is acknowledged as an important ethical theory, which only means that it centers on the expected result of an act, instead of the principles of the act itself or the agent involved in the action. The Utilitarian may endorse using the motto, “the ends justify...
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...these companies get scrutinized because ethical decisions are involved relating to the testing of getting a drug approved. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) require that a drug be tested on healthy humans to make sure it is safe for use. This creates a problem though because a reasonable individual will not take an unapproved drug unless they are substantially compensated. To combat this issue, pharmaceutical companies started testing unapproved drugs on homeless people in exchange for money and other benefits. Eli Lilly started to use this approach in the 1980s and discovered that homeless male alcoholics desperate for money would take unapproved drugs for payments of up to $4,500 a month, a warm bed, food, and good medical care. To make sure that these individuals are not exploited, the FDA requires that individuals participating in these tests give their “informed consent” and make a “truly voluntary and uncoerced decision.” (P. No. 73). This creates an ethical issue because people question whether being broke, homeless, and an alcoholic can have an effect on making an uncoerced decision. On the other hand, people would argue that these homeless men were given the chance to become addiction free, they would receive other benefits, and they were helping to get a drug approved that could be used to potentially save thousands of lives. This is a complex case involving an ethical issue, but the utilitarianism theory and rights theory can be applied to...
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...Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Soniya , RN Grand Canyon University: NRS 437V Professor: Teresa Ortner, RNC, MSNEd December 11, 2012 Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice When patient seeks for assist and care, professional-patient relationship is established and the promise of confidentiality is incriminated automatically. Respecting confidentiality is the professional commitment. Yet occasionally unavoidable situations bring health care profession to face nothing but the alternative choices which ends up breaching the confidentiality. The author would like to discuss one’s professional position regarding the ethical implications of a breach of confidentiality, ethical theories and principles, identify alternatives, and ethics committee’s approach in resolving ethical dilemma. Ethical Implications of a Breach of Confidentiality The medical profession has an obligation to live up to the patient's expectations of privacy and to earn the trust. By breaching confidentiality, patients no longer disclose honest and full information to medical professionals, or even initiate avoidance of seeking future care. Without trusting medical professionals, it is hard to expect for patients to reveal private and intimate nature of the information which could be vital in treatment decision. It means breaching confidentiality not only denies individual privacy but also prevents the autonomy of patient (Nathanson, 2000). Who would volunteer the info when he or she sees it...
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...business ethics: responsible halal business Muatasim Ismaeel UniKL Business School, University of Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and 1090 Katharina Blaim Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Eichstaett/Ingolstadt, Ingolstadt, Germany Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the opportunities of using halal regulation and certification as a mechanism for applying Islamic business ethics in contemporary world. Design/methodology/approach – The current practices of halal regulation and certification and literature on Islamic ethics were reviewed, to identify a practical approach for Islamic business ethics. Findings – Islam allows and accepts different levels of ethical commitment. A multi-level Islamic ethics framework and a multi-level halal certification approach are proposed to facilitate the implementation of Islamic business ethics in a relative context. Two major developments can enrich halal business practices: harmonization of global standards and governance structure, and integrating responsibility and ethical issues in halal standards. Practical implications – The proposed framework and developments can enrich halal regulation and certification practice. Originality/value – The paper emphasizes the importance of flexibility and adaptability in Islamic business ethics implementation, and proposes a new framework and approach to apply Islamic business ethics. Keywords Islam, Business ethics, Social responsibility, Corporate...
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...1. What are the ethical issues or concerns in this Energy Cooperative Case study? The main ethical issue seems to be related to the last paragraph and whether or not the board of directors can use their position on the board of the Energy Cooperative for personal gains by stating "I am calling as director of the Energy Cooperative" -the board of directors are self employed consultants with no allegiance (duty) to any particular company. Each director signed something to this effect. Therefore, the ethical issue is: Is this a conflict of interest, where the board of directors would be using their positions for personal gains? Or, since they have signed a statement to the effect that they have no duty to any particular company, does this negate the conflict of interest? In other words, the members of the broad directors would be using their position to gain new clients if when calling their personal potential clients, they would be able to state," I am calling as director of the Energy Cooperative." To support this, taken from one Code of Ethics for a Board of Director developed to avoid conflicts of interest: "Directors may not: (a) take for themselves opportunities that are discovered through the use of Company property or information or through the director's position; (b) use the Company's property or information or the director's position for personal gain; or (c) compete with the Company, directly or indirectly, for business opportunities that the Company is pursuing"...
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...Organizational Behavior Final Assignment By: Colette Gillespie Class: Organizational Management Teacher: Prof. Missy Santman What is Organizational Behavior Practice (Question 1) Organizational Behavior Practice is a field of study that investigates the impact of individuals, groups and structures upon behavior within an organization. Organizational Behavior Practices focus on many different areas like for work behavior (Group Behavior, Individual Behavior, and Collective behavior). Organization Behavior Practice is an interdisciplinary field that includes sociology, psychology, communication, and management. Organization Behavior Practice is designed to help manager better understand work out come (job satisfaction, learning, and commitment). Organizational Behavior Practice helps a manager better understand work behavior, perceptions, personalities, motivation, and attuide. When Organization behavior Practice is used it will give the manager a better understanding on a lot of different area when it comes to work behavior, and why an employee might be acting a certain way. Where I have seen Organizational Behavior Practice used (Question 1) I have seen Organizational Behavior Practice used before when I worked for Production Line. There was a problem going on with the employee performance and everyone was starting to get very negative, which was affecting the work they were doing. Our totals were going down along with the speed of quality...
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...Introduction to Ethics & Social Responsibility SHOULD PORNOGRAPHY BE REGULATED? When applying ethical theories and perspectives to the issue of whether or not pornography should be regulated you are left with numerous results. Some may argue that pornography is an expression, allowed by freedom of speech, however others may view it as obscene therefore wrong. Pornography can be defined as printed or visual material containing the explicit description or display of sexual organs or activity, intended to stimulate erotic rather than appealing or emotional feelings. Many people have different feelings concerning pornography with different reasons for holding these opinions. Many see pornography as a form of art, while other see it as offensive. Some may say pornography is a simple expression of two consenting adults and no harm is being done to anyone. However, some argue that if subjected to the wrong person, such as a teenager this form of entertainment can lead to future problems. It all depends on the way you analyze these concerns and this essay intends on doing just so. Here we will apply different ethical theories to the question, Should pornography be regulated? Many questions arise when dealing with pornography. How can the contact to pornography affect the personal growth of a specific person in a positive or negative way? How do facts and values factor in with the ethical points of pornography? Utilitarian theorist, John Stuart Mill suggests that regulations...
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...the 21st century was involved the National Security Agency (NSA), and the revelations that the agency had set up a robust, warrantless mass surveillance program in the years after the 9/11 attacks. Designed to pick up bits of intelligence that could be used in order to thwart future 9/11 attacks, critics of the program argued that not only was it unconstitutional given the lack of warrants obtained prior to engaging in the program, but that it was ineffective at stopping any kind of real terrorism. Supporters pushed back that the program was an essential tool for fighting terrorists who had become more advanced digitally, often using the internet in order to communicate with each other. Much of the discussion on the program related to the ethical appropriateness of the NSA’s activities. This paper will summarize the NSA’s surveillance program and discuss it from the perspective of utilitarianism and Kantian ethics; in addition, the paper will discuss the author’s personal viewpoint of the program. Summary of the Program The NSA spying program, named the “Terrorist Surveillance Program” by the New York Times, focused on monitoring the communications of between 500 and 1000 people within the United States with suspected ties to Al-Qaeda (Dunn, 2015). Many of these individuals were American citizens, and no warrants were obtained prior to spying on them. The method of spying was to use technology in order to gain access to metadata which could then be keyword searched by NSA analysts...
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...First, I assume that the goal of parenting for middle-class Americans is to prepare children for a happy adulthood and that this equates with a successful adulthood. Second, I apply Utilitarianism as a moral basis for parenting as both share the same fundamental goal of happiness. Third, I explicate the concerted cultivation parenting style used by many middle-class Americans and offer ways in which this style can be expanded to encompass moral ends, in addition to already established practical objectives. Fourth, I argue that applying Utilitarianism as a moral foundation for parenting enables parents to identify the trap of helicopter parenting which is a distortion of concerted cultivation parenting. Finally, I conclude that applying Mill’s normative ethical theory to common approaches to parenting will lead to the enhancement of effective parenting practices and the avoidance of problematic parenting conventions which will, in turn, move parents closer to achieving their goal of raising their children to be happy...
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...Running head: ETHICAL FRAMEWORKS IN PRACTICE Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Grand Canyon University May 9, 2012 Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Patient confidentiality is part of the Nursing Code of Ethics and it is a nurses’ duty to uphold confidentiality of patient information (American Nurses Association, 2012). However, there are certain situations in which a confidentiality breach is acceptable, such as when a patient voices harm to themselves or others and certain sexually transmitted diseases STDs). The following is a breakdown of the ethical implications of a breach of confidentiality, the ethical theory, the alternatives to breaching confidentiality using the framework of ethical decision making and the role of the ethics committees. Ethical Implications of a Breach of Confidentiality A confidentiality breach is when patient information is disclosed to a party that is not a direct part of the patients’ healthcare team without obtaining the appropriate patient consent (American Medical Association, 2012). It is important for the nurse to maintain confidentiality to gain the patients trust, except in situations that are required by law to be reported. When confidentiality is breached many ethical implications arise. Some of these implications are losing a patients’ trust and disclosing information to parties that is not required by law, which could cause harm to the patient. In the article “Bioethics on NBC’s ER:...
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...earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters because Toshiba supplied two of the reactors affected at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. After this event, Japan shut down the remainder of the nuclear operations at the site, and the demand for nuclear energy around the world was reduced. Toshiba, having a large stake of its business in the nuclear energy production, became affected by the events in 2011, so management at Toshiba set aggressive sales and profit targets across the company to offset the decline in the energy division. As a result of this decision, the rivalry across the divisions became intense; therefore triggering a number of accounting schemes. According to publications in the WSJ, Toshiba overstated its profit by inaccurately applying the percentage of completion for some of its energy projects, underreporting expenses, and...
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...Arthur Anderson participated in the fraud because the firm did not want to risk losing lucrative consulting contracts from Enron, which created a conflict of interest situation (Miller, 2004). The events leading to the collapse of Enron can be analyzed using the ethical frameworks suggested by consequentialist theory, deontological theory, and virtue ethics. Such an analysis can provide an explanation of the failure of Enron’s directors, mangers, and auditors to adhere to their ethical duties to the shareholders, employees, customers and suppliers of the firm. Consequentialist theory suggests that an act is ethically wrong if it results in consequences deemed wrong or harmful by the majority of people in a society (Hooker, 2002). The consequentialist theory requires assessing the actual consequences of the act, which includes both direct and indirect consequences. It also requires using some type of evaluative norm for determining whether the consequence is beneficial or harmful. The theory is prescriptive because the evaluative norms are used to guide whether individuals should perform or avoid an act. To apply the theory, there must be general agreement in a society as to the nature of the evaluative norms. The theory also suggests that the ethics of each situation should be determined according to the specific circumstances without reference to an absolute legalistic or moralistic standard....
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