Abstract The question of an employee's right to privacy in the issue of drug testing presents a dilemma for employers in terms of the correct action to take in this regard. This essay critically examines this question, and argues the thesis that although ethical principles support employer's right to test in numerous cases, legal requirements constrain this right. The paper contends that the result is an ethical, legal and practical minefield for management. In this context, this essay recommends that a utilitarian perspective offers the best single ethical and legal guide to follow in this question.
Abstract This essay is a response paper to five questions on the ethics of police officers and the different kinds of corruption that exist. One question deals with the "slippery slope" caused by gratuities. Other questions cover the four different types of character that exist on a police force, situational vs. "rotten apple" corruption, and leadership characteristics.
From the Paper "The "slippery slope" of corruption describes the process of an officer first accepting a small favor in return for services--or simply because his or her position as an officer lends an air of safety to a location. Some examples would be an officer waiting until after a restaurant has closed to escort the manager to the bank in return for meals, or accepting a free meal to give an appearance that an officer is present or on duty at that restaurant near closing time. Such small favors can lead to greater expectations on both sides of the line. The restaurant owner might expect that the officer will follow him home after making the deposit to ensure his safety, or might expect him to linger longer over his meal or make an appearance at other times of the day."
Abstract This paper answers five questions on the topics of ethics and communication in the private practice of massage therapy. It briefly touches on the four principles of ethics laid out in one ethical code and gives an example of empathetic communication. In addition, this paper discusses some of the things that therapists must monitor in self-care.
From the Paper "Integrity is a personal value relevant to confidentiality. A massage therapist must hold him or herself to the highest standards for most social values and integrity can cover quite a number of things. A massage therapist must have integrity in handling the clients' records, to be certain that the clients' names are not released accidentally. In addition, a massage therapist must have integrity in protecting clients' identities outside the office, by respecting their wishes to be acknowledged or not, taking his or her cue from the clients' actions. The NCTMB lists integrity as one of the fundamental components in business practice and defines it as "honesty" and "the firm adherence to a code of values (NCTMB Standard IV, Glossary). 2. There are several items that are important to recognize and monitor in self-care, in order to provide a comfortable session for the client."
Abstract This paper discusses ethics in the field of nursing and medicine. It discusses the ethicalquestions and problems that can arise for health professionals while caring for their patients. The paper discusses the four principles of veracity, justice, fidelity and paternalism, as they relate to these particular professions.
From the Paper "Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing In the fields of nursing and medicine, as a whole, one of the biggest issues to come up for professionals in these lines of work is ethics. By ethics, we mean issues where one's moral fiber and ability to decide between right and wrong, between good and bad are called into play. Each and every day where patient care is employed and lives are at stake, healthcare professionals such as nurses must make ethical decisions for the good of all. This essay will evaluate four different principles that come up when ethical reasoning is used in the nursing field. The four principles that will be discussed are: veracity, justice, fidelity, and paternalism. The first principle that this paper will discuss is that of veracity."
Abstract This paper answers six questions about the internet and security, ethics, regulations, productivity, why companies do not use the system development life cycle, and compares amazon.com with bn.com.
From the Paper "Threats from malicious code can be classified into several categories that are generally tied to the motive behind the breach. Some software threats may be designed to channel funds from one account ..."
Tags: internet, security, ethics, system development life cycle, sdlc, software develoment life cycle, internet security, amazon, barnes and noble, BN
This paper compares and contrasts the ideas put forth in the works of two modern philosophers, James Rachels and Anthony Weston, focusing specifically on their views of ethics and how it impacts on our lives.
2,097 words (approx. 8.4 pages), 0 sources, 2001, $ 65.95
Abstract The following paper explores the question "What is the right way to behave" by looking at the many moral theories that try to conceive a universal set of rules to follow regardless of the circumstances. The writer examines how modern moral philosopher James Rachels addresses the problems with classic theories and tries to reconstruct Utilitarianism in order to address his values. This paper then compares Rachel's views to Anthony Weston's who abandons the need for moral theory and points out the value of reformulating the questions that moral theory is meant to address.
From the Paper "Both James Rachels and Anthony Weston are philosophers interested in exploring the concept of Ethics and how it impacts our lives. We all are faced with decisions about how to act and there are numerous ways for us to come to a decision. Rachels approach is systematic in exploring various ways to decide what is right and wrong. All of these theories he puts forth are imperfect because they are effective only in select circumstances. Rachels believes that there are some universal truths that permeate Ethics; therefore, he favors theories that incorporate aspects of his "Minimum Conception of Morality". Weston on the other hand does not address universal truth. Instead he sees Ethics as a study in problem solving. In his examples of decision making, he steers away from rigid right and wrong answers to questions of morality. Instead he encourages the reader to be more creative in discovering other options than the ones we are first inclined to see. Both philosophers agree that Ethics requires us to think for ourselves and that there are real problems to be solved but how they go about solving them is very different."
Abstract The paper discusses a dilemma facing a student witnessing unethical practice whilst in employment in a dental office. The paper questions situations in what should be done where an action appears to be correct but in reality is totally incorrect. The paper stresses that the patient's safety is of foremost importance and cannot be endangered in any manner during treatment. The paper also questions whether the negative activity should have been reported as an incorrect procedure, which the student found difficult, as the student was not a permanent staff member.
From the Paper "This experience was certainly a shock merely because the act was done in a setting associated with cleanliness and a professional environment that was autonomous and upheld the highest standards of health care. Moreover, it sent a message that real life in general was wrought with gray areas and more importantly, less than ideal practices. What is meant here is that, as a profession that is self-governed, its constituent members should perform their duties to the best of their abilities without compromise up to the standards set by governing professional organizations. As clear cut as this may seem to do, reality is often wrought with conflicting interests such as this one."
Abstract This paper looks at the role and development of ethics in the nursing profession. The paper begins with a discussion of the important moral principles in nursing. Next the paper assesses the relevance of traditional vs. ethical theories in nursing. The paper also questions the impact of critical thinking on nursing ethics. The paper concludes with an assessment of the importance of moral development within nurses on the continuing development of nursing ethics.
Abstract This paper answers ten questions on ethics in accounting and business It considers some of the duties owed to clients, some of the ways ethics can be breached, some of the rules that pertain, and many of the company policies governing behavior, such as policies on fraternization or on the monitoring of employees, as well as ethical issues raised by these policies.
From the Paper "Accountants face a number of ethical issues in the course of their work. The basics of accounting ethics are governed by the Certified Public Accountants are governed by the AICPA code of professional conduct and then by requirements imposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission and State Boards of Accountancy. Independence is necessary, meaning that the accountant must be separate from the companies he or she does the books for so that he or she has no financial involvement with these companies and will not be influenced as to how to report based on possible financial benefits."
Abstract This paper examines the ethical dilemma that the tobacco companies find themselves in, now that it is almost universally accepted that smoking can cause grave health risks. This paper questions why a company would sell a product that it knows is harmful and whether this is an ethical practice or not. The paper shows the tobacco companies' irresponsibility in the fact that they hid the consequences of using their product
From the Paper "This whole argument that the tobacco companies are unethical in the way they do business is grounded in the utilitarian moral doctrine. This states that ?we should always act to produce the greatest possible balance of good over bad for everyone affected by our action. By good, utilitarians mean happiness or pleasure.? (Moral Issues 59a) This is obviously the case. For example, thousands of people are positively affected in the tobacco industry: lawyers, employees, executives, marketing, farmers, and the receivers of the taxes placed on the product. To these people, tobacco and cigarettes bring much pleasure, from money, to a job, to a way to relax, and not just to them, but to those around these people who are affected by their lives. Many people benefit from its existence. However, many millions of people die every year from smoking. And many millions more are affected by the illnesses, deaths, and addictions of these people, it is a huge ripple effect. So while thousands, and it is probably hundreds of thousands benefit, millions suffer. But the biggest disparity is that employees work for the firm for many years, turnover is relatively low. So over say 100 years, a relatively small number of total people benefit when compared to the 500 million expected to die, and the countless millions who will become sick, because 5 million die a year right now; such turnover is not seen on the benefit side of the argument. This is the main reason that the way in which the tobacco companies do business is shockingly unethical. To put it even more simply, many times more people become unhappy when encountering cigarettes and tobacco than become happy."
Abstract The paper discusses the ethics of the beef industry, focusing on the question, is it ethical to produce beef for the marketplace based on the current methods found in the industry. The paper looks at the inhumane method of slaughtering animals and the issue of animal cruelty.
From the Paper "The ethical issue addressed herein posed as a question is: is it ethical to produce beef using the current methods found in the industry. According to the Humane Farming Association HFA beef products found on grocery store ..."
Abstract This paper is an essay on the ethics of military personnel during WWII as illustrated in four books on the topic. It examines the questionableethical acts of military personnel, ethical theories of war and just war theory.
From the Paper "Ethical theories of war primarily stem from the Christian tradition and writings of St Augustine. Known as just-war theory the doctrine attempts to answer two questions. When war is justified ..."
Tags: death, ethics, killing, weapons, morals, values, behavior, war, military conflict
Abstract This ethical study analyzes the current issues that involve both religion and medical science in relation to developments in human cloning. This medical issue is pertinent to ethics, since it involves a great deal of scientific questions as to how science is "playing God." This religious perspective is analyzed through Roman Catholic arguments against human cloning to better understand how this conflict is developing between both factions. In essence, this paper analyzes the two sides of the "playing God" issue in relation to the medical scientific advancements of human cloning. The first issue surrounding a social threat to human order in cloning is how cloning threatens a 'natural' order of birth in the human condition.
An analysis of the ethical standards used by "civilian" agencies, such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA).
Abstract This paper discusses the often questionableethical standards used by "civilian" agencies, such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA). It reviews past and current NSA activities, what the NSA is legally authorized to do and what ethical issues are raised by some of the NSA activities. It also provides some information about the abuses of the civilian-focused CIA which performs military tasks.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
What is the National Security Archive?
What are the Duties of the NSA?
What are the Ethical Issues that Surround the NSA?
From the Paper "If the FOIA law was not in place, millions of documents - that do not place the security of the U.S. in jeopardy but that allow the public to be informed about how its tax-supported government is behaving - would be kept secret by various government agencies; and hence, the strategies and decisions which affect the American people, their jobs and their communities, would not be known. Without the FOIA, the same way totalitarian and communist governments keep information away from their citizens would be the norm here in the U.S. American is a democracy, and the FOIA assures that, to come degree at least, America is an open society and its elected officials and paid government employees can be made to be accountable."
Abstract The paper consists of two parts. Part I of the paper shows how corporations make decisions on the assumption that injury and death to innocent people is an acceptable cost for profits. The paper looks at the Ford Motor Company that did not reveal that their Pinto model had a gas tank that could explode and burn. The paper argues that the rise in white-collar crime is linked to the materialist, consumerist nature of our society, which is reflected in our legal systems. Part II of the paper analyzes these kinds of behaviors by applying normative theories to them. The paper shows how neither utilitarian, deontological nor virtue ethics theories can give a clear and definitive answer to the question of whether Ford made a correct choice.
From the Paper "An example of corporations putting profit before any other consideration may be found in the case of the Ford Motor Company. This company decided at one time to keep quiet about the fact that their Pinto model had a gas tank that tended to explode and burn in the event of a rear end collision. This of course resulted in injury to people inside the vehicles, and sometimes even death. Ford's reasoning was that it would be more profitable to settle resultant law suits than to recall the faulty vehicles. (Samuelson) It is important to note that this decision was not classified as a crime, even though one might expect it to be. It is argued in this essay that the reasons for this kind of thinking (both the decision Ford made, and the fact that it was not classified as a crime) go right to the root of the nature and values of our society, which in turn are reflected in our legal systems."
