WHAT IS ETHICS

Define ETHICS
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT WHICH INDICATE HOW ONE SHOULD BEHAVE BASED ON MORAL OBLIGATION. DEALS WITH THE ABILITY TO DISTINGUISH RIGHT FROM WRONG, GOOD FROM EVIL, AND PROPRIETY FROM IMPROPRIETY AND THE COMMITMENT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT, GOOD AND PROPER.

REQUIRES UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE, QUALITY AND DEFINITION OF THE NATURE OF MORAL OBLIGATION

Values: Defined
CORE BELIEFS OR DESIRES WHICH GUIDE OR MOTIVATE

ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS.

ETHICAL VALUES DIRECTLY RELATE TO BELIEFS

ABOUT WHAT WAYS OF BEING, CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS ARE RIGHT OR GOOD

NONETHICAL VALUES ARE ALL OTHER VALUES

WHICH HOWEVER PERSONALLY IMPORTANT. DO NOT INTRINSICALLY DEAL WITH NOTIONS OF RIGHT AND WRONG. GOOD OR BAD

PERSONAL OPERATIONAL VALUE SYSTEM IS

THE WAY WE RANK COMPETING VALUES IN DECIDING HOW TO ACT

IS vs. OUGHT Ethics

"IS" ETHICS:

PURPORTS ONLY TO DESCRIBE OPERATIONAL STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR. HOW AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP ACTUALLY BEHAVES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO JUDGING WHETHER IT IS RIGHT AND WRONG.
-Is it relative -Personal ethics

"OUGHT" ETHICS: IS CONCERNED WITH DISCERNMENT OF AND COMMITMENT TO PRINCIPLES WHICH ESTABLISH NORMS OF BEHAVIOR REQUIRED BY MORAL OBLIGATION.
-How we people should act -General standards appropriate for every person, in every situation

BELIEF
All of us want to think of ourselves as ethical. We believe others are not as ethical as they should be. We believe our ethical standards are higher than others. We believe our profession is more ethical than others. We utilize ethical reasoning to make our decisions.

REALITY
Almost none of us are on anyones list of most ethical people. We judge ourselves by our good intentions, we judge others by their worst actions. We are basically honest, unless the cost is too much; we hardly ever lie. We act as if there is a moral right to get what we want, if its necessary it is ethical. We rationalize departing from ethical norms.

COMMON RATIONALIZATIONS

IF IT'S NECESSARY IT'S ETHICAL IF IT'S LEGAL IT'S PROPER I WAS JUST DOING IT FOR US I'M JUST FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE IT DIDN'T HURT ANYONE IT MUST BE ETHICAL, EVERYONE'S DOING IT IT'S OK I DIDN'T GAIN PERSONALLY I'VE GOT IT COMING IT WONT SWAY MY DECISION

ETHICAL VALUES
1. INTEGRITY 2. HONESTY 3. KEEPING YOUR WORD 4. LOYALTY 5. FAIRNESS 6. EMPATHY 7. RESPECT FOR OTHERS 8. RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP 9. PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE 10. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY/ ACCOUNTABILITY

CORE ETHICAL VALUES 1-5

1. INTEGRITY 2. HONESTY 3. KEEPING YOUR WORD 4. LOYALTY 5. FAIRNESS

CORE ETHICAL VALUES 6-10

6. EMPATHY 7. RESPECT FOR OTHERS 8. RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP 9. PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE 10. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY/ ACCOUNTABILITY

ETHICAL DECISION MAKING MODELS

THE GOLDEN RULE: Do unto others, as you would have them do

unto you.
KANT: ABSOLUTE MORAL DUTIES: Ethical obligations are higher

truths imposing absolute moral obligations which must be observed regardless of the consequences and in spite of social conventions and natural inclinations to the contrary.
Rule of Universality: Do only those acts which you are willing to allow to become universal standards of behavior applicable to all people, including yourself. Rule of Respect: All individuals are intrinsically important and the well being of each is a moral end in itself; never treat others as simply the means for your own gain or gratification.

CONSEQUENTIALISM/UTILITARIANISM: Ethical propriety of

conduct is determined by the consequences produced; ethical decisions produce the greatest possible balance of benefits (i.e., good) over burdens (evil).

NEW MODEL: THE GOLDEN

KANTIAN CONSEQUENTIALISM
ALL DECISIONS MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AND

REFLECT A CONCERN FOR THE INTERESTS AND WELL BEING OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS.
ETHICAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES ALWAYS TAKE

PRECEDENCE OVER NONETHICAL ONES.

IT IS ETHICALLY PROPER TO VIOLATE AN ETHICAL

VALUE/ PRINCIPLE ONLY WHEN IT IS CLEARLY NECESSARY TO ADVANCE ANOTHER TRUE ETHICAL VALUE PRINCIPLE WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE DECISION MAKER'S CONSCIENCE, WILL PRODUCE THE GREATEST BALANCE OF GOOD IN THE LONG RUN.

Integrity
Integrity is about wholeness, comes from

the Latin integer (whole or complete). Firm adherence to a code or standard of values such as:
Honesty Responsibility Respect Trust

Standard of Values
Honesty Without honesty, dialogue is undermined Responsibility We must take responsibility for our own actions, perhaps also for those of others Respect Treat persons as ends, not as means

Trust Without trust, we cant hear other peoples criticisms

Honesty
Honesty is the foundation of teaching,

learning, research, and service and the prerequisite for full realization of trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. The learning experience is enhanced when we engage in honest and respectful dialogue.

Responsibility
Being responsible means Making ones own choices Bearing the consequences of ones choices Taking action against wrongdoing, despite peer pressure, fear, loyalty, or repercussions.

Respect
Immanuel Kant, more than

any philosopher before him, stressed the importance of respect in the moral life. To respect people is to treat them as ends in themselves The opposite of respecting people is treating them as mere means to an end

Fairness
A community of integrity establishes

clear standards, practices, and procedures and expects fairness in the interactions of community members. Fairness is at the heart of justice.

When all is said and done ETHICS is best described by the following poem!

THE MAN IN THE GLASS BY DALE WIMBROW

When you get what you want in your struggle for self And the world makes you king for a day Just go to a mirror and look at yourself And see what THAT man has his say For it isnt your father or mother or wife Whose judgment upon you must pass; The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass

Some people may think you a straight-shootin chum And call you a wonderful guy But the man in the glass says youre only a bum If you cant look him straight in the eye Hes the fellow to please never mind all the rest, For hes with you clear up to the end And youve past your most dangerous, difficult test If the man in the glass is your friend You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life And get pats on your back as you pass, But your final reward will be heartaches and tears If you cheat the man in the glass