1. Ethics Help Define Who We Are and Describes our Culture “Character is not the same thing as reputation. Character is what you are. Reputation is what people say you are.”Josephson, 2002

2. What is meant by ethics? Helps us discern what is right or wrong Helps us discern what is right or wrong Doing what the law requires Doing what the law requires Standards of behavior Standards of behavior Doing what society expects Doing what society expects Standards of right and wrong that prescribe what people ought to do in terms of rights, benefits to society, fairness, etc Standards of right and wrong that prescribe what people ought to do in terms of rights, benefits to society, fairness, etc

3. Standards of behavior that tell us how people ought to act in many situations in which they find themselves in Standards of behavior that tell us how people ought to act in many situations in which they find themselves in Utilitarian Approach Utilitarian Approach The Rights Approach The Rights Approach Fairness or Justice Fairness or Justice Common Good Common Good Virtue Virtue

4. What Iowa Farmers Told Us (2002 Farm Poll, n=1942) At one time a person’s word was as good as a signed contract; now you must get it in writing. 93% somewhat or strongly agreed At one time a person’s word was as good as a signed contract; now you must get it in writing. 93% somewhat or strongly agreed In general, ethical standards in society have declined. 87% agreed In general, ethical standards in society have declined. 87% agreed

5. What farmers told us I used to take a persons’ word as measure of his/her honor, but now-a-days you can’t always simply accept what a person tells you. 85% agreed. I used to take a persons’ word as measure of his/her honor, but now-a-days you can’t always simply accept what a person tells you. 85% agreed. One reason ethical standards have declined is that people have lost respect for authority. 70% agreed One reason ethical standards have declined is that people have lost respect for authority. 70% agreed Often people admit they are not being ethical in paying the full amount of their taxes. 49% agreed. Often people admit they are not being ethical in paying the full amount of their taxes. 49% agreed.

6. What farmers told us Even among friends and neighbors, I am concerned that they no longer feel obliged to honor their word. 37% agreed Even among friends and neighbors, I am concerned that they no longer feel obliged to honor their word. 37% agreed Farmer’s ethical standards have declined. 57% agreed Farmer’s ethical standards have declined. 57% agreed

7. How have ethics changed? –% Decline in past 10 years –Clergy 24% –Neighbors31 –Local Merchants36 –Local Agribusiness 37 –Lenders41 –Farmers45 –Youth and young adults68 –Local elected officials70 –Elected state officials72

8. The Six Pillars of Character (Source: Josephson, Making Ethical Decisions) Trustworthiness Trustworthiness –Honesty –Truthfulness –Sincerity –Candor –Honesty in conduct –Integrity –Relability

9. The Six Pillars of Character (Source: Josephson, Making Ethical Decisions) Respect Respect –Civility, courtesy, and decency –Dignity and autonomy –Tolerance and acceptance Responsibility Responsibility –Accountability –Pursuit of Excellence –Self Restraint

10. The Six Pillars of Character (Source: Josephson, Making Ethical Decisions) Fairness Fairness –Process –Impartiality –Equity Caring Caring Citizenship Citizenship

11. Some guides to determine if an action is ethical 1. The Golden Rule, “you act in a way that you would expect others to act toward you” 2. The Professional Ethic, “You take only those actions that would be viewed as proper by an objective panel of your professional peers”

12. 3. Kant’s Categorical Imperative, “Ask yourself, “What if everyone behaved this way?” 4. Child on Your Shoulder, “Would you proudly make the same decision if your young child were witnessing your choice?” 5. TV Test, Could you explain and justify your actions to general television audience?” 6. The Des Moines Register Test, “Would you like your friends and neighbors to read about this?”

13. Four simple questions 1. Could you or someone else suffer physical harm? 2. Could you or someone else suffer emotional pain? 3. Could the decision hurt your reputation, undermine your credibility, or damage important relationships? 4. Could the decision impede the achievement of any important goal?

14. Seven Steps to Better Decisions 1. Stop and think 2. Clarify goals 3. Determine Facts 4. Develop options 5. Consider consequences 6. Choose 7. Monitor and modify

15. What happens when there is not adherence to a code of ethics? People begin to “cut corners” People begin to “cut corners” –Most unethical and illegal activities start small Rationale or justifications often include, “everyone else is doing it” Rationale or justifications often include, “everyone else is doing it” Erosion in ethics brings about greater regulation because trust has been violated Erosion in ethics brings about greater regulation because trust has been violated Rules, regulations and laws reflect the formalization of ethics Rules, regulations and laws reflect the formalization of ethics

16. Erosion in Ethics=Distrustful Culture Where people no longer trust each other Where people no longer trust each other Where extreme individualism is primary Where extreme individualism is primary Where people no longer know each other Where people no longer know each other With diminished respect, trust and cooperation, there are calls for regulations to monitor or regulate behaviors/actions With diminished respect, trust and cooperation, there are calls for regulations to monitor or regulate behaviors/actions

17. Symptoms of Distrust in Agriculture Legal representation Legal representation Formalized contracts Formalized contracts Fear of Liability—liability insurance Fear of Liability—liability insurance Less personal contact—fear of strangers Less personal contact—fear of strangers Formal communication Formal communication Suspiciousness Suspiciousness

18. The Need for a Code of Ethics in Farming Evidence is there has been an erosion in ethics Evidence is there has been an erosion in ethics The erosion in ethics has contributed to loss of trust, and consumer confidence, and calls for more regulations. The erosion in ethics has contributed to loss of trust, and consumer confidence, and calls for more regulations. A code of ethics might restore confidence and farming could be viewed a leader in pursuing higher ethical standard. A code of ethics might restore confidence and farming could be viewed a leader in pursuing higher ethical standard.

19. What are some examples that display ethics or the lack of ethics Slavery—it was legal, was it ethical Slavery—it was legal, was it ethical Denying the rights of women to own property Denying the rights of women to own property Indian removal Indian removal Navigation Acts Navigation Acts Land expropriation Land expropriation

20. Modern day examples Displacing a tenant for $5.00 acre more rent Displacing a tenant for $5.00 acre more rent Calling upon the widow before her husband funeral about renting her farm Calling upon the widow before her husband funeral about renting her farm Encouraging over-application of fertilizer because of incentives you will receive Encouraging over-application of fertilizer because of incentives you will receive Trading in a tractor that you know has major problems without disclosing to the dealer Trading in a tractor that you know has major problems without disclosing to the dealer Failure to deliver on a promise Failure to deliver on a promise

21. Expectations 5-7 pages 5-7 pages Bibliography Bibliography Describe an ethical issue in agriculture Describe an ethical issue in agriculture Provide a rationale for why this action or decision was unethical Provide a rationale for why this action or decision was unethical What ethical approach are you using What ethical approach are you using How could this have been decided or handled in a better way How could this have been decided or handled in a better way What are the consequences, how would approach this decision? What are the consequences, how would approach this decision?