Ethics Ethics Glossary LRE3-5

Ethics  “that branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions” (Ethics Glossary)

Business Ethics  “that branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct as it applies to business transactions” (Ethics Glossary”

Situational Ethics  “moral principles that vary with circumstances” (Ethics Glossary)

Ethics and Law Ethics  Imposed internally.  Concerned with motives.  Concerned with interest of individual and society. Law  Imposed externally.  Concerned with acts and conduct.  Concerned with the interest of society.

ABFSE  “The basic premise that ethics is a major part of funeral service practice is derived from the idea that the funeral professional is entrusted with serving the bereaved survivors and the proper treatment and disposition of remains.”

University of Minnesota (1996)  “ethical conduct and practice ranked highest among 404 task statements that funeral directors evaluated  1996 and 1997 Gallop polls showed that the public ranked FDs among the top 10 professions with high or very-high ratings for honesty and ethics

Funeral Ethics Organization   Nonprofit educational organization  Purpose: “promote ethical dealings in all death-related transactions by working for better understanding of ethical issues……as well as a better understanding between these and the general public.”

FEO Mission  “Ethical dealings respect the feelings and emotions of the bereaved, provide respect to the deceased’s body, and refrain from taking economic advantage of consumers making funeral or memorial purchases.”

Manual of Professional Practice  Sections: sphere and function of FS practitioner sphere and function of FS practitioner ethical practice ethical practice responsibility to: family, clergy, cemetery/crematory, governmental and public agencies, press, and public responsibility to: family, clergy, cemetery/crematory, governmental and public agencies, press, and public respect for the deceased respect for the deceased operation of the funeral home operation of the funeral home publicity and promotion publicity and promotion deference to family’s choice of FD deference to family’s choice of FD funeral involving joint director responsibilties funeral involving joint director responsibilties defamation of others defamation of others inducing breach of agreement inducing breach of agreement

Models for Ethical Decision-making  Most people do not have much difficulty in telling what’s absolutely right from what’s absolutely wrong.  It is the “gray” areas that are a challenge.

Kohlberg’s Moral Development Model  3 developmental levels (each level has 2 stages)  Pre-moral Stage: “a stage of moral development in which the individual is characterized as not understanding the rules or feeling a sense or obligation to them. Looking to experience only that which is good or pleasant or to avoid that which is painful.”

Pre-conventional Level (Stages 1 and 2)  “a stage of moral development in which moral reasoning is based on reward and punishment from those in authority”

Conventional Level (Stages 3 and 4)  “a stage of moral development in which the expectations of the social group (family, community, and nation) are supported and maintained”

Postconventional/Principles Level (Stages 5 and 6)  “a stage of moral development in which the individual considers universal moral principles which supersede the authority of the group”

Dr. Carol Gilligan  Kohlberg’s theories biased against women  “Theory of Moral Development in Women”  women: “morality of care”  men: “morality of justice and rights”

Morality of Care  emphasized interconnectedness  girls early connection in identity formation with their mothers  girls are less concerned with “fairness”

Morality of Justice  concerned with the interactions of autonomous individuals  boys separate and individuate themselves from their mother  concerned with issues of “power” and “inequality”

Dr. Albert Schweitzer  5 basic criteria: human nature: how would different “times” view the ethical question human nature: how would different “times” view the ethical question consequences of the act consequences of the act universal convictions universal convictions moral feelings moral feelings religious/philosophical convictions religious/philosophical convictions

Robert Ninker  Executive Director of the FEO  4 ways: What do the laws, rules or regulations dictate in this situation? What do the laws, rules or regulations dictate in this situation? What would the community think of the action I am about to take if it were to become common knowledge? What would the community think of the action I am about to take if it were to become common knowledge? The conscience check. The conscience check. Summarize. Summarize.

Rotary International “Four Way Test”  Is it the truth?  Is it fair to all concerned?  Will it build goodwill and better friendships?  Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Individual (Personal) Ethics  Foundation for a person’s moral compass  Develop over time and influenced by: Culture Culture Theism/Non-theism Theism/Non-theism Citizenship Citizenship Family Relationships Family Relationships Experience Experience

Culture  “the rules, ideas, beliefs shared by members of society” “learned directly and indirectly” (Ethics Glossary)  dictates ethical norms  customs and traditions become ingrained in a person’s psyche

Theism/Non-theism  Theism: “belief in a god or gods”  Non-theism: “ a philosophy that does not focus on the worship or a god or gods” (Ethics Glossary)  religion provides an established set of moral rules/spiritual laws  rewards in the afterlife

Citizenship  “the character of an individual viewed as a member of society; behavior in terms of duties, obligations and functions of a citizen” (Ethics Glossary)  society creates laws that citizens are expected to follow  “dutiful citizen”

Family Relationships  Parents are usually the first to voice and demonstrate ethical boundaries.  Children absorb the actions of their family which contributes to their sense of morality.

Experience  Life events can alter or change personal ethics.  Emotions and personal understanding may cause a powerful shift in beliefs.

Professionalism  4 “easy” ways to compromise professional ethical obligations: “If it’s not illegal, it must be ethical”. “If it’s not illegal, it must be ethical”. “Do whatever it takes, the end justifies the means”. “Do whatever it takes, the end justifies the means”. “Nobody will find out.” “Nobody will find out.” “It must be alright if my boss says it is (or the competition does it)”. “It must be alright if my boss says it is (or the competition does it)”.