Ethical Guidelines

Defined • ethics (used with a sing. verb): The study of the general nature of morals and of the specific moral choices to be made by a person; moral philosophy. • ethics (used with a sing. or pl. verb): The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession: medical ethics. American Heritage Dictionary " An ethical issue is said to arise whenever one party in pursuit of its goals engages in behavior that materially affects the ability of another party to pursue its goals. " • The ability to cause harmful consequences >> need for ethical behavior. • Power >> consequences. • Agency: acting on behalf of others is power. • Control over scarce resources is power. Reasons for formal ethical codes • To regulate members= behavior – To inform them of expected behavior – Reminder that ethical behavior overrides many other considerations – Reminder of personal responsibility • To hold members accountable – Bases for judging in cases of breach – Help address situations where conflicting views of what is right are possible • To present profession to society – State its ethical bases, reassure stakeholders, and give them a basis for evaluating professionals ETHICAL BASES • I. Teleological: focus on consequences, ends, goals, purposes of agents= acts. Focus on agents or results. Key distinctions: » Voluntary vs not » With or w/o full knowledge » Should agent have been fully informed of facts • I.A.2. Virtues-fundamental qualities of agents. " Be honest and trustworthy " • I.A.3. Egoism-acting in self-interest is appropriate and ethical. I.B. Results and stakeholders: – I.B.1 Consequentialism incl. Utilitarianism: greatest total benefit (costs balance benefits) – I.B. 2 Justice. • Distributive justice: similar stakeholders receive similar benefits and burdens; equity • Merit: receive benefits according to contributions • Socialism: burdens by ability to bear them, benefits according to needs • Libertarianism: bear burdens one chooses, benefits from that choice or what others choose to give or do. • Rawlsian fairness: resolve conflicts by fair method. " Veil of ignorance " ; write a social contract as if you didn't know where you would end up. • Retributive justice-e.g. punitary damages • Compensatory justice-e.g. compensatory damages. " Undo or mitigate negative consequences… "