Abstract This paper examines the issue of ethics and the Internet by discussing the foundations and basis of this new technology. The way in which the Internet relates to ethical problems is investigated. The paper also deals with some views about what can be done to solve the problems that ethics and the Internet raise.
Outline
Introduction
Overview
Ethics and its Relation to the Internet
The Nature of the Internet
Conclusion
From the Paper "As the computer has evolved in the modern world, so the potential for communication has also increased. The computer, and the development of the Internet, has meant that human society has become more connected than ever before and the barriers between nations and people around the globe have been broken down. While this is a positive development in many ways, the growth of the Internet has also meant that there has been an increase in a wide range of new problems. One of these is the issue of ethics. "Just as ethics evolve as human societies grow and change, so similar ethical questions are raised during the evolution of this global electronic community." "
Abstract This paper examines how the shortage of organs for patients in need of a transplant has created an organ black-market and how there is a desperate need to allow for financial compensation for organ donors in order to eliminate this black-market and to save lives. It discusses the problems of the organ trade that has developed world-wide, why compensation for organ donors should be legal, possible solutions to meet the demands, and what can be done to make it happen.
From the Paper "The current system for patients in need of organ transplants is failing to meet the demands that exist today. Patients are dying while on long waiting lists; therefore, they are searching for other alternatives to meet these demands. Also, spearheaded by then Senator Al Gore, The National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 makes it illegal to sell human organs. Selling organs is a felony offense punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. As we have seen throughout history, when a commodity is both in high demand and illegal, a black-market is created. The effects of the black-market of human organs are world-wide from China, India, Brazil, and right here in the United States."
Abstract This paper looks upon key issues society faces with the issue of athletes using performance-enhancing drugs. The paper argues that it is cheating when an athlete uses shortcuts to achievement when using performance-enhancers. It concludes that the wrong message is sent to our youth.
From the Paper "What if an athlete could ingest a chemical that would help him or her win an Olympic medal? There may or may not be a lot of responses to this question. Put it in another way maybe there would be more response. What if one of your classmates could brew up a concoction that would allow him or her to come up with academic papers with little or no work involved? Would this be fair? What kind of academic example would this be setting? Athletes who use performance-enhancing drugs are not only cheating, they are being bad examples."
Abstract This paper explains that the introduction of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act influenced corporate governance practices to the highest degree and fundamentally changed the business and regulatory environment by introducing numerous new accounting requirements. The author points out that, as companies continue to apply Sarbanes-Oxley principles to their operations, many organizations see immediate benefits ranging from improved documentation procedures to the further development of effective ethics policies. The paper states that, once the improved documentation and governance procedures are established, the internal controls are in place and the employees are trained; the costs associated with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will go down and the organizations will be able to take full advantage of compliance. Tables.
Table of Contents
The Law
The Importance of the Law
The Benefits of the Law
Positive Changes
Costs of Compliance
Costs versus Benefits
Conclusion
From the Paper "Common sense and personal integrity suggest that in today's world, remaining faithful to personal and organizational ethical standards is more important than ever. Many disappointing examples exist in the face of Enron, Andersen, WorldCom, Tyco, and others that prove just how vulnerable employees and organizations are to unethical decisions and how devastating the outcome of unethical behavior can be. Not only personal careers, but also the future of entire organizations and the integrity of the national economy depend on the commitment of individuals and companies to high moral principles."
Abstract This paper discusses the economic, social and health aspects of genetically modified food and argues that left uncontrolled, genetically modified foods represent an extremely serious threat to our future. The paper points out that the issue of genetically modified food must be viewed as part of the general issue of how to control technology in a democracy and that this general issue must be addressed in terms of its moral, health, economic and social implications.
From the Paper "The world easily produces enough food to feed everybody very well could easily feed the world's population without resorting to these technologies. Although there is currently a plethora of famine throughout the world, there is also a failure to apply current techniques. There is a general lack of infra structure (food banks, for example) and, of course, poverty. If humanity collectively drew up a serious plan to overcome famine throughout the world, genetically modified foods would be unnecessary. The claim that they are needed to feed the world is nonsense."
Abstract This paper considers the ethical issues surrounding the act of euthanasia and then presents arguments on both sides of the fence regarding this highly controversial subject. Additionally, the paper considers the difference between passive and active euthanasia and concludes that ultimately both bring death but with active euthanasia it comes more quickly and with less pain.
From the Paper "Ethics is the way that people feel about a certain issue based on their opinions. Ethics is not the same as religion but it is the same purpose in some ways. The issue of euthanasia or assisted suicide is an ethical issue. It involves the way people feel about ending their lives in a medical situation with a doctor, when to go on living would cause them too much pain or mean that they would be in a vegetative coma, or a state where they cannot communicate or move or have brain function, and want the doctors to discontinue saving them through life support. Ethics also involves something that doctors take called the Hippocratic Oath, which is what medical ethics comes from. There are many arguments about euthanasia because it is an ethical issue and many
people disagree on ethical issues. Euthanasia is often also defined as mercy killing, in which a doctor or another person permits someone to die because they are seen to be hopelessly sick or injured. "Assisted suicide, particularly in the health care context, exists amid a continuum of end-of life interventions. Any analysis of the ethics... must begin by making clear... Assisted suicide refers to making available to an individual, the means to take his or her own life" (Mathes, p. 261). Many people think that euthanasia is favorable because it spares people of pain and suffering and lets people make their own choices about whether to die or not. People see this as democracy working to let
individuals make their own decisions. Other individuals may state that these individuals are not always capable of making these decisions due to their conditions. "Even if someone sincerely wants to be euthanasia this may well be due to depression or to a misapprehension of their true prognosis" (Beale and Horner)."
This paper examines the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, considered one of the most influential thinkers of modern Europe and an expert on moral enlightenment.
Abstract This paper explores the views of philosopher Immanuel Kant. This paper details Kant's opinion that an epistemological approach to metaphysics would lead to the development of universally valid moral laws. The writer of this paper describes the philosopher's desire to create a more scientific system of pure moral principles which led him to reject all considerations of empirical concepts or conditions. This paper also discusses Kant's belief that human moral conduct should be guided and measured by pure reason, which alone could be made to account for the intrinsic worth of moral actions. The writer also touches on Kant's skepticism about human sincerity which led him to take into consideration the role that environment plays in molding and influencing human conduct.
From the Paper "Interestingly, Kant did take into consideration the conflict between the ideal of a moral world that is guided by pure reason and the natural world. Indeed, this is evident in his observation that the success of the idea of a moral world in influencing the world of sense would depend on "the condition that everyone does what he ought to do, i.e., the condition that all actions of rational beings occur as they would if they sprang from a supreme will." However, for Kant, the ultimate goal of a moral world was still an idea worth pursuing because it possessed the ideal of human conduct being "worthy of happiness." In other words, Kant was of the view that the idea of such a moral world could influence and develop human reason, and thereby lead to the highest ontological perfection as a principle of systematic unity, which would connect all things according to universal and necessary laws."
This paper examines the various methods of electronic commerce and marketing while also discussing the ethical and legals aspects of operating an online business.
Abstract This paper focuses on two particular forms of e-commerce, which consist of: Business-to-business, B2B, and business-to-consumer, B2C. This paper defines the B2B method as a group that incorporates all applications proposed to facilitate or develop the association within the firms and between two or more companies. The B2C method is a more prominent area and largely entails the retailing of electronic software and equipment over the internet. This paper discusses the risks surrounding e-commerce, which include issues of security and privacy as well as the strategies and measures available to reduce the risk of online fraud and theft. The writer of this paper also delves into the legal and ethical aspects of e-commerce and marketing. The writer contends and explains why it is imperative from both an ethical and legal standpoint to ensure that the written words and what are represented about either the B2B or B2C company are factual.
From the Paper "The legal and ethical confinements in a society are pushed to the maximum and the way the attitude pervades those around us that if there are no rules against something then it is right to do, then it is worth knowing the reason behind considering the ethical issues over the Web, as it influences the user personally. The Internet is a growing and a persistently evolving element that will live on in perpetuity. Whatever mentioned and appeared online will exist there forever. Think of the billions upon billions of text information pages that those are and will be preserved for a long time. There exist some sites where it is possible to turn back and search out archives of other websites and notice pages those were generated at the initiation of their infancy. Moreover, the video, films, movies and audio in several application formats are also possible viewed."
Abstract The writer contends that while there is virtually universal agreement that human cloning is neither safe nor ethically desirable, the research work being done in other cloning techniques continues to greatly interest scientists and the public alike. This paper examines the three main types cloning processes, while also discussing the ethical issues that arise from these techniques. The three cloning techniques are comprised of DNA cloning, reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning. The DNA cloning process involves the transferring of a DNA fragment from one organism to a self-replicating genetic element or a cloning vector such as a bacterial plasmid. This paper details the technology involved in reproductive cloning, which entails creating organisms with an identical genetic make-up to an already existing organism. This paper explores the benefits of cloning, including finding cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer and diabetes. This paper discusses the concerns which have been raised over the destruction of unwanted embryos and the potential risk of abuse in this specific area of science. The writer examines the fact that many countries currently permit stem cell research, which can be conducted only on in-vitro embryos or embryos that were discarded during infertility treatments.
From the Paper "In therapeutic cloning, concerns have been raised over the destruction of unwanted embryos, and the future abuse of such technology. The fear of abuse is, in fact, all too real since therapeutic cloning is just one step away from reproductive cloning. But the fear of eugenics or playing God is not the only ethical issue involved. For, opponents of the technology also argue that an embryo has life and the moral status of a person from the moment of conception. Therefore, it is immoral to kill the nascent life that is the embryo. Advocates of therapeutic cloning refute this argument by pointing out that the technology holds the promise of curing millions of adults of hitherto incurable diseases, and, therefore, the life of an already living being should be valued far more than one that has yet to fully form."
Abstract This project involves a report to a company's Board of Directors on the cost and value of offering domestic partner benefits. It addresses the economic implications as well as the practical and moral aspects of offering health coverage to same sex or opposite sex domestic partners.
From the Paper "Traditionally companies thought of a commitment to diversity as involving little more that strict compliance with regulations governing anti discrimination and legislation involving equal employment opportunities ..."
Abstract This paper considers ethics and diversity in hiring and retention practices at the Boeing Company. It examines the global workforce of Boeing, the impact of government regulations on Boeing's employment practices and Boeing's commitment to diversity.
From the Paper "The Boeing Company is one of the two largest airframe manufacturers in the world and has a global workforce ..."
Tags: boeing company, ethics, diversity, human resources
Abstract This paper discusses business values and cultural diversity. It includes a background section outlining diversity programs in the workplace, as well as legal, ethical and social responsibility sections. Cultural diversity in the workplace is considered from the utilitarian ethical standpoint.
From the Paper "Recent years have seen considerable attention paid to diversity programs in the workplace. Affirmative action has come under ..."
Tags: cultural diversity, ethics, utilitarianism, utilitarian ethics, social responsibility
Abstract This paper considers various ethical issues in education, including segregation, conflicts with business and higher education, and the issue of national testing. It looks at the different dimensions of ethics.
Abstract This paper examines ethics and management within an approach to ethical decision-making. It presents a case scenario of an administrator confronted with an ethical dilemma in an educational setting.
Abstract This paper offers a survey of a corporation's ethical responsibility to its employees and the social environment it inhabits. It discusses the concept of social equity and the "contract" between a corporation and its external environment. The paper explores the impact of interest groups.
From the Paper "Businesses generally conducted their operations according to the theory of economist and Nobel Laureate, Milton Friedman who maintained that a corporation's sole purpose was to maximize profits for the benefit of it ..."
