James R. Brunet DENR’s Managers Forum Archdale Building August 11, 2009 Do the Right Thing! Navigating Through Ethical Dilemmas

Session Overview I.What is Ethics? A.Definition B.Elements C.Four Levels of Ethics II.Philosophical Bases of Ethical Behavior A.Virtue B.Principles C.Consequences D.Conscience

Session Overview III.Ethical Decision Making A.Short Cuts B.Ethical Problem Solving Model

A. Definition “Refers to well-based standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of obligations, principles, specific virtues, or benefits to society” Adapted from Issues in Ethics, Center for Applied Ethics, Vol. 1, No. 1, October 1987 I. What is Ethics?

B. Elements Well-based standards: Ethics is knowable, we can learn about ethics, not relativistic but enduring Involves determining right from wrong, good from bad Results in a suggested outcome, an appropriate behavior, action or inaction

I. What is Ethics? Four Dimensions 1.Obligations/Duties  The behavior expected of persons who occupy certain roles, e.g., soil scientist, industry regulator, safety inspector, line supervisor  Are there special responsibilities that accompany work done in the name of the public? 2.Principles: unchanging moral certainties, external source 3.Virtues: ethics of character, internal source 4.Benefits to society: weigh costs and benefits, “greatest good” Requires individuals to take an active role in ethical reasoning, navigating through the sometimes conflicting obligations, principles, and virtues surrounding an ethical decision

I. What is Ethics? C. Four Levels of Ethics 1.Social Oblige members of a given society to act in ways that both protect individuals and further the progress of the group as a whole Formal and informal (e.g., Denmark during Nazi occupation) 2.Professional Professional norms and obligations Codes of Ethics (see ASPA code)

I. What is Ethics? C. Four Levels of Ethics 3.Organizational May be formalized in a code (see NJ DEP ethics.iit.edu/codes/coe/state.nj.env.protection.html NC DENR Values in Strategic Plan –Duties »Accountability »“Spending authorized funds wisely and well” –Virtues »Integrity »Respect –Principles »Professional standards emphasizing efficiency, effectiveness and quality –Consequences

I. What is Ethics? C. Four Levels of Ethics 3.Organizational (continued) Why is this important? –Employees are more productive working within an ethical setting –Employees more likely to stay – less turnover –Protection against civil liability –Public demands ethical administration

I. What is Ethics? C. Four Levels of Ethics 3.Organizational (continued) What factors contribute to a favorable climate?

I. What is Ethics?

C. Four Levels of Ethics 3.Organizational (continued) Examples of positive ethical behavior –Giving proper credit where it is due –Always being straightforward and honest when dealing with employees –Treating all employees equally –Being a responsible steward of company assets –Recognizes and rewards ethical behavior of employees –Talking about the importance of ethics on a regular basis –Reporting or reprimanding other employees unethical behavior

I. What is Ethics? C. Four Levels of Ethics 3.Organizational (continued) How to promote ethics in workplace—begin by assessing the ethical climate –Bonczek (1999) 40 Item Ethical Climate Survey –Scoring 1=Strongly Disagree, 2=Disagree, 3=Agree, 4=Strongly Agree –Values & Related Questions »Accountability: 1, 7, 12, 16, 22, 27, 38 »Fairness: 13, 20, 21, 31 »Responsiveness/Customer Service: 4, 19, 28, 30, 34 »Communication: 15, 29, 35, 36, 37 »Integrity/Honesty: 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 40 »Leadership: 2, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, 39 »Trust: 3, 14, 17, 32

I. What is Ethics? C. Four Levels of Ethics 4.Personal Morality Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development Milgram’s “Shock Experiments”

A. Virtue A set of qualities that defines what a good person is; the characteristics that mark one as a person of character and integrity “Virtues exist innately, as potentialities, within each individual, and they push for actualization in the life of the individual” (Hart) The Six Pillars of Character (Josephson Institute) –Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship –Beyond these, Cooper (PAR, 1987, 324) adds rationality, prudence, respect for law, self-discipline, civility, and independence II. Philosophical Bases of Ethical Behavior

B. Principles/Deontology Principles identify “kinds of action that are right or obligatory.” Principles are universally and invariably applicable. These are an external source of moral guidance

Source of principles for American public administrators –Basic cultural, social, and political values that define a society and its system of governance (called “regime values”) such as democracy, freedom, property, etc. –Principles imbedded in Constitutional amendments (due process, free expression) –Principles that are widely accepted in western society including the sanctity of life, justice and truth telling III. Philosophical Bases of Ethical Behavior

C. Consequences/Utilitarianism/Teleology Utilitarianism holds that there are no moral principles which provide justification for an action a priori. An action is right or wrong depending on its consequences. Preferred choice is that which produces the greatest good for the greatest number In cost-benefit analysis, the market model, and public choice, “what is right or wrong, what is moral or ethical is to be judged in terms of utility of consequences.” Ends justify the means

II. Philosophical Bases of Ethical Behavior D. Intuition Gut feeling, sixth sense, “little voice,” conscience Innate, not learned

A. Short Cuts Front Page News Mirror Test What would your mother think? III. Ethical Decision Making Approaches

B. Ethics Problem Solving Model 1.Description 2.Analysis 3.Decision

Final Thoughts “To be good is noble. To teach others to be good is nobler…and no trouble.” -Mark Twain