R 3101 - Week 1

Introduction to Ethics, Values and Governance 1 Civil Building and Engineering Dr Claire Slatter

Course objectives Definitions Why study ethics? What is ethical reasoning? Course objectives To build your understanding of:

universal ideas/values on ethics norms of ethical behaviour & practice individual responsibility & accountability

some major ethical controversies To make you: More self-aware and self-regulating More morally autonomous (i.e.responsible as an individual for the decisions you make in The course will give you practice in

life)

Identifying ethical issues in a variety of real-life scenarios

Using ethical reasoning in making judgments or decisions It should help you Develop a framework for making ethical judgments and decisions Cultivate on ethical life

ETHICS From the Greek word ethos (character), ethics is associated with virtue, or right conduct Put simply, ethics is about what is right, fair and just ETHICS involves Having an understanding of moral principles Constantly examining ourselves, our moral beliefs and conduct Being mindful of how we affect others Being directed by our conscience and doing what is right, even when no-one is watching Trying to ensure that we (and the institutions we work with) practice high standards of conduct

VALUES We all have values instilled through socialization Our values may change over the course of our lifetime

There is usually a close connection between &

Our values inform our ethical approach E.g. If we strongly value LOYALTY, this value may determine how we act in different situations Core Values

Its important to have a strong sense of your core values. Your core values will define you. This course will consider a range of perspectives on ethics and a number of values frameworks. We will also be doing exercises in tutorials on core values and character traits, to make us more self-aware of our own and others values Some universal values include

Integrity adhering to ethical principles Respect - showing consideration towards/ appreciating others Honesty being sincere and truthful Fidelity being loyal & trustworthy Charity being kind-hearted and caring Fairness treating everyone equally Responsibility being reliable and accountable Self discipline acting with self-restraint and not being excessive Can you think of others? Governance

Political governance involves Political leaders and holders of public office making laws and policies for the benefit of all Political leaders & holders of public office being accountable for how political power and public money are used Personal/self- governance involves Steering ourselves through life, with the aid of a moral/ethical compass Exercising individual judgment and taking responsibility for our decisions and actions Exercising self-discipline and self-restraint in the pursuit of our goals Why study ethics? In a multicultural society we need to have commonly-accepted standards of right and wrong We make a positive contribution to society by being responsible, upstanding citizens Everywhere we need leaders with integrity.

People who are ethical in their behaviour and practice contribute positively to society, and make good leaders.

We need professionals and tradespersons who are able to challenge and change bad practices.
You will be confronted by ethical dilemmas and situations that are not covered by laws or rules. Even if a practice is not illegal, or is not covered by your professional Code of Conduct, or is a part of corporate culture, does not make it ethical. Ethical lapses at the workplace are common A 1997 Survey cited by International Risk Management Inc., found that that some 57% of employees felt under pressure to act unethically or illegally on the job.

Unethical practices usually catch up on people. Reputations can be destroyed overnight when unethical/illegal practices come to light. We usually know (instinctively or intuitively) what is the right or ethical thing to do in a situation BUT we may be tempted or pressured to do the wrong thing instead We can all benefit from being trained to become more ethically-minded, and to employ ethical reasoning when we are in a dilemma. Why study ethics? (cant)

We live in an increasingly complex world with lots of new ethical challenges (e.g. the internet, the War on terror) Ethical standards have deteriorated in the age of globalization and deregulation (e.g. ENRON)

Good governance campaigns = failed to check unethical practices by large corporations (or poor governance in the developed world)

The study of ethics involves

Learning and gaining understanding of universal standards of right and wrong, universal values on human rights, social and environmental responsibilities, governance and leadership etc. Life-long learning (and critical self-reflection) on ones own moral beliefs and conduct, including ones beliefs and practices in relation to the wider social/economic and political systems in which we live and work Striving to live up to standards that are reasonable and ethically sound. Ethics is about making choices and decisions that are right, fair and just

Ethics is also about being balanced in our approach It requires us to be open-minded and empathetic To be principled, but non- judgmental To be respectful of the views of others even when we do not agree Personal Transformation

The study of ethics is, ultimately, personally transformative It involves transforming ourselves as individuals, in the sense of Becoming more ethical persons in our behaviour and practice

Becoming persons who live by the standards we set for ourselves, based on firmlygrounded and consistently-applied values and principles of what is right, fair and just. Some key terms in ethics

Consequences (good and bad) Fairness Justice Rights Duties Virtues Responsibility Four Principles approach to ethics (Source: Beauchamp & Childress) Beneficence (obligation to provide benefits) - to do good Non-Maleficence (obligation to avoid harm) not to hurt others

Respect for autonomy (obligation to respect others autonomy and capacity for independent decision making) to respect others as persons Justice (obligation of fairness) - to treat everyone equally Ethical Reasoning A way of evaluating different options in any ethically- challenging situation and deciding what would be a right, fair and/or just decision or course of action Considerations or values that are usually factored into ethical reasoning: -Rights - what/whose rights are affected -Obligations to ones employer, ones family - Benefits to society the wider social good

Four steps in Ethical Reasoning

Identify ethical issues or concerns

Consider all alternatives 2. Consider the interests and well-being of others when weighing alternatives 3. Clarify and apply ethical values when choosing a course of action

Ethical reasoning involves exercising moral autonomy Its more about HOW to think about and EVALUATE a situation or issue, than about WHAT ethical judgments to make or endorse Ethical reasoning enables us to arrive at an ethically defensible decision or position Arriving at an ethical position on some issues can be difficult In ethical reasoning there is NO SINGLE or RIGHT answer E.g. Is it ever morally permissible to kill innocent persons? Most of us allow the taking of lives in situations of war, or for capital offences Does our position on such a question hinge on the word innocent? Would you argue that enemy soldiers are not innocent? Or that convicted criminals are not innocent? What about persons who are wrongfully convicted? What do we mean by morally permissible? Do we mean its okay if it accords with the teachings of our religion? (Might our religions be wrong on some things?) Or if it accords with a natural moral law? ( Is this not debatable?) Or if its permissible in law? (Might some laws be unjust?) Unethical or unsound reasoning? The ends justify the means - justifies unethical practice if the intention or end result is Might is right - justifies the use of physical force

good.

Get what you can when the goings good - justifies seeking short term gains, usually at the expense of long term (or wider) losses