Abstract This paper explains the need for ethical self-reflection in order to arrive at decisions that are fair and socially just. The paper also describes how the author makes personal and professional decisions based on her own cultural and personal ethics.
From the Paper "We live in a highly interdependent and interconnected world, which is able to function in relative harmony because it is governed by mutually, agreed codes of conduct. Indeed, without the prevalence of such codes of conduct, human civilization would probably degenerate into being ruled by the law of the jungle or the "survival of the fittest." Thus, it is evident that human civilization is both a function of and dependent on decisions and actions that are guided by established ethical standards. This observation holds true for all aspects of life, be it personal or professional. "
Abstract This paper is a discussion of the use of discretion in police work. It Includes its "mythical" aspects, considers its sources, and suggests how it might be controlled. The paper creates a list of ten police actions during which an officer might use discretion and why. It determines whether the use in each action is reasonable or an abuse of power.
From the Paper "Peak has pointed to the fact that the law is simply unable to cover every situation a police officer faces and that given this fact there are numerous times when police must make choices about the ..."
Abstract This paper attempt to prove that the mandatory disclosure of HIV/AIDS status violates basic human rights. The author also addresses the question of how the very concept of human rights relates to ethics.
From the Paper "According to the latest statistics in the year 2000 alone, 5.3 million people worldwide have been infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The number of people already living with HIV is 36.1 million worldwide. When the first case of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) caused by HIV was reported twenty years ago, perceptions about the disease were different. Since 5 June 1981, the history of AIDS has witnessed an evolution from an object of medical curiosity to a complex health issue with political, economical, human security and ethical dimensions. Today AIDS is also a workplace issue since HIV positive people have the ability and, moreover, the need to maintain their employment. Should they disclose HIV status, however? No equitable answer is available and discussions on the topic are intense."
Abstract This paper deals with the ethical and moral dilemmas of researchers and scientists when conducting their research on their fellow man. Discussed are certain issues such as blame and responsibility. Key cases such as the Tuskegee Syphilis experiments and the Milgram study are discussed.
From the Paper "When it comes to understanding human relations this can become even more complex and involved due to the involvement of intangible emotions and the aspects of inaccuracies that any study will contain due to the nature if the subject. One of the problems of this type of research is the ethical implications which may or may not be present in many of the research projects undertaken."
Abstract A paper which discusses the legal and ethical issues involved in operating globally. It is noticed that many multinational companies can run into trouble when establishing their businesses overseas because they fail to take local laws and culture into consideration. The paper shows that this can be avoided if the company pays attention to the religious and cultural beliefs of the people in foreign countries and also abide by the trade and business laws of those lands.
From the Paper "It is also important to take into account their religious beliefs because religion normally plays an important role in all third world countries. For example in Pakistan, they wouldn"t allow a fast food chain to operate if it doesn"t use HALAL meat. By HALAL, they are simply referring to meat, which has been prepared according to their religious rituals. It is important thus to follow those practices because there is no chance of gaining any success if a fast food or any other restaurant chain forgets to take into account this important law. We are taking examples of restaurants only for the sake of ease and convenience in explanation of laws, but it must be kept in mind that laws applies to every business no matter what its nature is."
Abstract This paper analyzes the accounting firm, Arthur Andersen and describes the role Andersen played in the Enron collapse. The paper uses this case to illustrate the debate of whether or not auditing should be separated from consulting. The writer states that the Andersen debacle has been instrumental in informing the public of the flaws of businesses in a capital market.
From the Paper "In recent months the standards of the accounting profession have been the subject of great scrutiny. At the forefront of this ongoing debate is the accounting firm of Arthur Andersen. The firm has been found guilty of obstruction of justice in the Enron case on the grounds that the company shredded valuable documents relating to the financial collapse of Enron. The purpose of this paper is to explore whether or not auditing should be separated from consulting."
Abstract This paper discusses theories of business ethics, starting with a general definition of business ethics. The marketing practices of Toys R Us and Home Depot are examined in light of that definition. The tobacco industry is then briefly considered.
From the Paper "The issue of Business Ethics has been discussed by a number of management experts, corporate executives and business professionals. In recent years, organizations have started to adopt a realistic approach while considering the moral aspects of their businesses. As the awareness level among the general public is increasing and people are expecting the companies to be more socially and morally responsible, organizations have started to seriously consider the ethical aspects of their business. In this regard, a lot has been discussed by management gurus and several theories have been presented. The objective of this paper is to discuss these theories and concepts in terms of a typical highly competitive market environment."
Abstract This paper discusses the current problems of business ethics in the framework that corporations have long struggled with corporate social responsibility and the overriding corporation goal to make a profit. The paper concludes that, despite the damage done to the reputation of big business ethics by companies like Enron and WorldCom, the outlook for the continued encouragement and development of ethically conscious companies is good. The author states that business and government leaders are developing a business environment that is more accepting and encouraging of ethically conscious businesses.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Corporate Social Responsibility and Individual Rights
Business Ethics and Enron
Business Ethics at WorldCom Inc.
Preventing Future Enron and WorldCom?s
Lessons from Enron and WorldCom
Ethical Corporations and Profit
Conclusion
From the Paper "The concept of corporate social responsibility has been debated for as long as the capitalist system has existed, and is one of the most important cornerstones of business ethics. Corporate social responsibility includes all decisions that are made within an organization that are linked to ethical values, and compliance with existing laws. Corporate social responsibility is closely tied to the respect for individuals and communities, animals and plants, and the environment as a whole."
Abstract The paper states that a correct assessment of moral and situational considerations in nursing largely depends on the nurse? own empathy and plays a critical role in minimizing moral conflicts in the handling of both the patient and the patient's family. The author focuses on patients facing serious or terminal illnesses. The paper states that, even under distressing work conditions, the code of ethics has no room for negative personal emotions that may lead to patient distress.
From the Paper "Nortvedt, too, puts forth the irrefutable argument that a correct assessment of moral and situational considerations in nursing largely depends on the individual's own empathic, emotionally rooted faculties. Nortvedt based his theory on the basis that an individual's feelings, founded on empathy, plays a critical role in minimizing moral conflicts in the handling of both the patient and the patient's family."
Abstract The process of surrogate motherhood involves a third party carrying a child for a couple, a single women, or persons involved in same sex relationships. This paper gives a personal opinion of why it is ethically wrong by examining literature both for and against surrogacy. It discusses such issues as bonding and separation and the key issue of breastfeeding, why surrogate mothers are not allowed to breastfeed.
From the Paper "Opponents of surrogacy argue that the surrogacy process creates a separation in the mind of the surrogate mother that she must have the child but not raise the child. Thus surrogacy creates a situation in which a child is created for the purpose of fulfilling the desires of the adoptive parents. The Humanist writes: "To sanction the use and treatment of human beings to the achievement of other goals instead of as ends in themselves is to accept an ethic with a tragic past and to establish a precedent with a dangerous future." (Pyton 2001)"
Abstract An opinion paper that discusses current debates on animal testing, problems with animal testing, alternatives and how regulation can be improved.
From the Paper "Animal testing has become a hot topic in the last few decades as more and more animal rights & awareness issues have entered the world stage. From a variety of backgrounds, groups have rallied to the cause of animals around the world that are involved in drug testing, cosmetic testing, and a number of different experimental situations. The most hotly contested issue has been drug testing, where the development of potentially human life-saving substances is weighed against the life of these animals. Recent scientific research has been working hard to increase the accuracy and usage of alternative testing methods."
This essay discusses the ethical dilemna that the abortion issue presents using the arguments of three philosophers, Judith Jarvis-Thompson, Mary Anne Warren and Don Marquis to analytically discuss and debate each of their individual positions.
Abstract Examined here is the seemingly intractable debate that has garnered much debate and philosophical discourse. Is abortion unethical? If so, on what grounds? Does a fetus have an unquestionable right to life? The arguments of three philosphers, Thompson, Warren, and Marquis attempt to construe argument devoid of appeal to religious sources. Actual logical arguments are put forth and then dissected by the author. Instruction of Informal fallacies also included, as well as topics such as debate through analogies, Criteria of Personhood, and Potentiality theories: FLO theory.
From the Paper "First let us begin with an argument derived from the article by Judith Jarvis-Thompson entitled, ?A Defense of Abortion.? She starts of with explaining the common pro-life argument, which relies heavily on the premise that a fetus is a human being and a person at the moment of conception. While examining the continuous expectancy that the fetus constantly develops into a child, she from this judges that to draw a line of personhood from this point or another is to exemplify the argument with an arbitrary carelessness. She makes no attempt to refute a fetus as a person or otherwise. To do so she deems as participation in a ?slippery-slope argument.? Thompson acknowledges that the fetus is a human well before it's birth, for it would be biologically unsound to state otherwise. Based on her take of the anti-abortionist's argument an acorn (a potential oak tree) would be viewed in the same way as an Oak tree is, even though that this is an incorrect and rather crude observation. From this basis, she says on cannot make a good examination until a better counter-argument is examined and then she says we will have more sufficient grounds on which to reject it or not."
Abstract The paper shows that, in recent months, the rules regarding special purpose entitles have come under great scrutiny. Special purpose entities allow firms to raise debt while at the same time making it almost impossible for investors to determine the actual amount of debt exposure. The paper shows that this was the case with Enron, which collapsed in 2001 when their fraudulent accounting practice were exposed. This paper investigates which accounting practices were violated as it relates to the SEC rules on Special Purpose Entities and full disclosure. It also discusses the ethical issues that the company made regarding the firms? accounting practices.
From the Paper "Not only did Enron behave unethically but the entire market failed to inform consumers. This market failure was made by the very institutions that were designed to protect investors. In this case the implications for the accounting firm that was involved proved to be insurmountable. The Andersen Accounting firm was disbanded as a result of its actions in the Enron case. Accountants must be very cognizant of the fact that there decision to be honest or dishonest about a firms? financial dealings may have a profound effect on stakeholders and the accountants themselves. ?Accountants and many Wall Street Analysts ratified and legitimized the company's scenarios and statements regarding prospects.?(Berenbeim)"
This paper discusses the ethics of private firms-government dealings in government contracting: Pricing, government requirements, undue influence, accounting, fraud and bribery.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 8 sources, 1991, $ 39.95
From the Paper "Government contracts provide a particularly attractive market to private companies. There are tax benefits associated with government work, and the government has a tradition of paying its bills. Often, once a contract is obtained, there are no other competitors for that product; only one company manufactures F-18 planes, for example. Since the Department of Defense (DOD) is the largest government consumer of private contract work, it is the area which comes under the most scrutiny. Since the government's bills are ultimately paid by taxpayers, the media have recently focused attention on the subject of the ethical procedures followed and ignored by contractors. Headlines announcing $500 toilet seats and $50 hammers have raised questions among the public about the procedures DOD follows in auditing its contractors."
Abstract Almost three decades after the landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade case legalizing abortion in America, the issue remains the greatest moral flashpoint facing America today. This paper examines the underlying ethical arguments of both sides of the abortion debate, using Ronald Dworkin's "sanctity of life" principles. By ?abortion,? this paper includes all forms of abortion, from early fetal abortion through the RU46 drug to late-term abortions, from abortions out of "convenience" to abortions in cases of rape and incest. It evaluates how the anti-abortion crusade has framed their campaign on the personhood and the rights of the fetus. The second part looks at the pro-abortion movement, which has framed their issue as a campaign for women's reproductive rights. Finally, the paper examines the approach of a minority of women, activists from both camps who are working to bridge the gap between pro- and anti-abortion factions.
By presenting both sides, this paper argues that because of current societal structures that make unwanted pregnancy more likely to happen and its consequences more difficult to assume, abortion must remain an option, a ?necessary evil.? Both pro- and anti-abortion factions, however, must work towards their common ground ? a society where abortions are no longer necessary.
From the Paper "Despite the legality of abortion and its importance to women's rights, anti-abortion activists have successfully curtailed several pro-choice gains. More important, the "pro-life" camp's appeals to a higher moral law have successfully placed pro-choice advocates on the defensive.
However, pro-choice advocates also frame their stand on morality. Forcing a woman to continue and unwelcome pregnancy is ultimately harmful to the mother and the child. The creation of unwanted and uncared-for children has a two-fold effect of limiting a woman's potential for both the present and future motherhood. As Roiphe states, becoming a mother is a crucial choice and its imposition makes women into "slaves of their biology" (142)."
Tags: fetus, bible, christian, feminists, morality, birth, control
