Chapter 4 Concepts

Question 1

Ethics

Answer 1

The general and systematic study of what ought to be the grounds and principles for right and wrong human behavior

Question 2

Why cite sources?

Answer 2

Gives credit
Holds you accountable
Creates the potential for replication

Question 3

Virtue ethics

Answer 3

The ethical quality of an action is defined by the intentions of the actor

Strengths: it makes it easier to forgive people & gives people shared guidance as to how to make ethical choices

Weaknesses: doesn’t judge by consequences, virtue can be defined in different ways, & no clear way to resolve dilemmas

Question 4

Consequentialism

Answer 4

Judged by consequences

Strengths: clear that good intentions are not a high enough standard, criticize actions that cause harm, & cost/benefit analysis as a guide for behavior

Weaknesses: difficult to determine desired consequences, justify unfair treatment of minority groups, & cost/benefit analysis may oversimplify decision-making

Question 5

Deontology

Answer 5

Judged by the act itself

Strengths: ethical consistency & makes it possible for us to have shared societal and cultural norms of ethics

Weaknesses: same rules to common situations & assumes there are universally good rules and could ignore benefits of recognizing global diversity

Question 6

Postmodern ethics

Answer 6

Consider the relationship between the actions of others and one’s self

Strengths: speech and actions are always connected & encourages speakers to adapt to specific audiences and situations

Weaknesses: difficult to understand and doesn’t provide easy answers & it can be impossible to live by all the time

Question 7

Conflicts of interest

Answer 7

Refers to a situation in which a person or organization has multiple interests at stake in a decision

Question 8

Manage conflicts of interest

Answer 8

Removal
Disclosure
Management

Question 9

Removal

Answer 9

Best, not easiest; remove or avoid the conflict

Question 10

Disclosure

Answer 10

Inform others of the conflict if it’s impossible to remove yourself from the situation

Question 11

Management

Answer 11

Proceeding even though the conflict of interest exists, but taking precautions to minimize the effects of the conflict of interest; only rely on this when necessary