AJIS
vol. 10 no. 2
May 2003
DOING ETHICS: A UNIVERSAL TECHNIQUE IN AN ACCESSIBILITY CONTEXT
Christopher R. Simpson1, Liddy Nevile2, Oliver K. Burmeister3
1
Adjunct Teaching Fellow, School of Information Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, E-mail: csimpson@swin.edu.au;
2
E-mail: Liddy.Nevile@motile.net;
3
Swinburne Computer-Human Interaction Laboratory, School of Information Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, E-mail: oburmeister@it.swin.edu.au;
ABSTRACT
Thinking ethically is difficult without a background in moral philosophy. Asking people to embrace ethics without offering practical explanation of the efficacy of so doing, is a thankless task. A technique that people can follow easily,
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AJIS
vol. 10 no. 2
May 2003
The doing ethics technique The technique of analysis depends upon asking questions. It has been found that the order in which the questions are asked is also important. The following questions, in this order, have been found to work best (through trial and error over many semesters). Q1 What is going on? – What are the facts? Q2 What are the issues? Q3 Who is affected? Q4 hence, What are the ethical issues and implications? Q5 What can be done about it? - What options are there? and Q6 Which option is best? – and Why? Benefits An injunction to 'think ethically' about a situation is not helpful. Perhaps if one has a background in moral philosophy this would work, but usually both students and IT professionals require some form of guidance as to how to achieve an appropriate outcome. The technique has proven itself as a means to achieving this, at least for PIIT students. This approach is not dependent on a particular standard, such as the code of ethics of a particular professional society. It is a technique that can be applied in a variety of circumstances, not limited by technological, cultural or religious background. The approach is not limited by one's moral philosophy. One can use this technique effectively and be an objectivist, holding that certain moral truths remain good independently of personal likes and dislikes, or a relativist, holding that truths are relative to the individual
It is important to look at ethical dilemmas in a systematic way, thus increasing the chance of achieving a solution that gives the best possible outcome. An ethical problem solving model taken from American sources (Paradise and Siegelwaks, 1982; Austin et al., 1990) was used to develop a six-step process to follow, in order to achieve this (Bond 2010, pg. 227). This process informs this paper, and I am in the role of counsellor.
It is important to understand that ethics is not equal to personal emotions. Therefore, ethical decision making should be void of personal feelings. Moreover, an ethical action is that which protects and respect the moral perspectives of those affected. Indeed, ethical approaches help to determine the standards of behavior that constitute a common good for the human
In Normative Ethics there are three distinct schools of thought, and each differentiate through moral intentions. Consequentialism relies on the consequences of an action in order to distinguish whether or not something is morally acceptable. Deontology considers the morality of an action by one’s reason for doing a certain deed. Lastly, virtue ethics bases morality off of virtuous character, and how a virtuous person would act given a certain predicament. Ultimately, consequentialism provides the most practical explanation for morality due to the notion of providing the best possible result. Contrarily, deontology and virtue ethics do not always provide an individual with the most sensible course of action, and therefore prove to be
During the course of living human being are subjected to many controversial arguments and ethical stations. Education in concept of ethical reasoning and in the fundamentals of the principles are important for one to be skilled in ethical reasoning. Ethical reasoning is a very important element in human nature of living either professionally or individually. Ethical reasoning offers critics with the capability to represent viewpoints, ideas and make judgement. Moreover ethical reasoning enable critics’ to consciously give examination for them to reach a solution that does not harm anybody else. Ethical reasoning can be defined as arguing the wrong and the right of human behavior.
Now, let's see how learning about the Four Ethical Lenses and a simple method for decision-making can help you resolve a typical ethical dilemma. Ready?
Using concepts of ethics and ethical behaviors is essential for critical thinking. Without adequate critical thinking
The life of prisoners some may never know. There are those who care not to know what goes on behind that wired fence. We find that some people that are convicted of crimes that they did not commit. Some people would rather turn their heads to what actually happens in a prison institution, because they feel it is no concern of theirs. Innocent women and men face a disaster in life when they find their selves incarcerated in such facility as these. The treatment in prison facilities toward prisoners with health issues or those who develop health concerns that
One thing that has changed in my approach to ethics since the beginning of the semester is I am now adamant that it is impossible to arrive at a final answer to ethical questions. Learning about the different approaches to ethics has caused me to see that there can be more than one “right” solution to ethical dilemmas. Therefore, if an ethical question is raised, everyone will arrive at a different solution depending on which approach they take.
From examining both ethical statutes, therapists can take it one step forward by taking ownership in violating the bond between therapist and client. Years of education, training and personal responsibility should prevent therapist from violating the bond between client and therapist. Clients entrust therapist with intimate details and instill trust in the therapist. This relationship can sometimes cross boundaries and cause the client to view the therapist in a different light. The same can be said of therapists who have gained the admiration and trust of their client. This places them at an unfair disadvantage and gives them the upper hand and a manipulative stance in entering any relationship outside of the proper scope of the therapist-client relationship.
Ethics involves identifying and being able to understand the concepts of right and wrong and then decide on what the response should be to an ethical dilemma. By using philosophical approaches people are able to recognize the situation and then hopefully make informed decisions. While making decisions in an ethical dilemma, the ability to evaluate the decision within cognitive moral development, locus of control, moral disengagement and Machiavellianism will only help the process. This paper will further motivate the discussion of ethics and the process of making informed ethical decisions.
Moral theory provides multiple schools of thought, all attempting to solve moral problems in a manner in which the ethicist in question sees best. These conflicting schools of thought have led to multiple types of ethical theories that can be used to solve a variety of ethical issues, from those that are severe, to those, which are seamlessly day-to-day dilemmas. Chappell proposes a proposes a new way of ethical decision making in way that allows people to have a procedure rather than base their actions solely from the rightness of the action. Chappell criticizes those moral theories that focus too heavily on a master factor, which is essentially of no help when it comes to ethics. Chappell’s proposal to fix the manner in which ethics is conducted by replacing moral theory with an ethical outlook is beneficial for the average individual.
The long debated question of the importance of men and women and their roles has raged on for years. Should men and women be treated equally, that truly is the question that seems to have more answers than resolution. Applying the question to Deontology and the work of Immanuel Kant, the answer would be all people regardless of gender should be treated equally. However, these theories do not take into account the actions of the male or female in question. The question still remains, should men and women be treated equally or should it be based on the situation, all accounts will be taken into further consideration.
Group A – In group A I chose to answer choice two. I think that it would be just plain wrong to withhold the information from the airplane pilot. To me withholding the important health information airplane pilot is plain evil and wrong. In this week’s lesson we learned that no act is always and everywhere right or wrong. Whatever a person believes to be right is right for that person and vice versa when we feel that something is wrong. This is why it would be important to discuss the information about the pilot’s health to him to give him a chance to decide what is right or wrong for himself. We can only choose what’s ethically right or wrong in our own case scenario, and should give other people the chance to decide
“Brad is a production engineer at a bicycle company and part of his job includes inspecting broken bikes and drafting the design repairs for their repair” (Bartlett). Brad is considering replacing a broken brake cable with a more durable material, even though the customer did not request it in their order and specifically requested that “No aesthetic changes be made to the bike” (Bartlett). Brad’s manager suggests that his considered actions would go against the company’s policy of “The customer is always right.” Should Brad disobey the manager and the customer to possibly lose his job or go along with
The first step of the Ethical Decision-Making Procedure is stated as, “1.0 Become Aware of Dilemma” (McNamara). According to the given case scenario, the dilemma is clearly stated. It reads that the client (mother) does not believe in rewards or support the use of them for her son. The mother is going against what the BCBA believes in and stands for, thus causing a direct dilemma. Removing reinforcers is not feasible for the professional BCBA, and this must be properly addressed with the client. Situations like these are where the Ethical Compliance Code comes into place for the sake of the clients and professionals involved.