PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

ACT.4-ETHICS PRINCIPLES

Darwin Isael Arredondo Herrera

3760
 TEACHER INSTRUCTIONS
Introduce different types of questions (Scientific, Religious/Cultural, Legal, or Ethical) by
having students brainstorm what the defining characteristics of each are. Remind them
that questions may be of more than one type, and that other types of questions also exist.
Lead them through discussion to the characteristics described on the Overview sheet. The
Overview may be a helpful resource to them when they are completing the Practice
Sheets. Note that the sheets are intended to encourage discussion, and there are not
always necessarily ‘right’ answers, but there are answers that are better-reasoned than
others.

Scientific • Asks testable questions about the natural

world.
• Can be explored through scientific inquiry
and observation.
• Relies on empirical and measurable
evidence. Example: How does a kidney
function in the body?
Religious/Cultural • Asks us what would be in line with a
particular religious belief or practice, or the
common practices of a particular culture.
Example: What does my religion or culture say
about whether it is acceptable to donate a
kidney?
Legal • Asks us what the law says about a particular
issue.
• Ethics may inform the law, but sometimes
laws are unethical and sometimes the ethically
right thing to do may be illegal.
Example: Is it legal to sell kidneys in Mexico?
Ethical • Ask us what the ‘right’ thing to do is – what
we ‘should’ or ‘ought’ to do – in the face of a
moral dilemma.
• Often arises out of a conflict in values among
individuals or groups.
• Requires moral reflection (making
evaluations and judgments about
responsibilities, rights, duties, values, and
principles).
Example: Should individuals who donate
kidneys be allowed to choose who their
organs should go to?
 PRACTICAL SHEETS

Question Ethical, Religious/ Reason

Cultural, Legal, Other
Under what conditions Ethical, Religious Can be answered by moral
should people be kept reflection related to what it
artificially alive? means to be a ‘person’ and who
should have responsibility for
someone else’s life. Can also be
influenced by religious beliefs.
What type of diet allows Scientic, Legal You can answer on the side of
for the best athletic science since there are
performance? specialists in nutrition called
nutritionists, and the legal side
would be in case the diet
contains a product that is not
illegal in the country.
Is killing someone always Legal You can answer for the legal
illegal? since that is a crime all over the
world.
Is killing a murderer Legal, ethical On the legal side only if it is in
justified? self-defense, but on the ethical
side it would be to know the
background of the murder, to
know if it was a good or bad
thing.
Should people be able to Scientific, ethical One can answer that with
select the sex of their scientific reasons since there are
child in advance? articles on that subject that
support or deny early choice,
and ethically it is a matter of one
as a person to let life decide.
At what age should Religious, legal, ethical In religious matters, this is
people marry? answered seriously with the age
of majority, as well as in legal
and ethical matters, it would be
up to people to decide whether
to marry before or after the age
of 18.
 Scenario
Example: You are driving
over the speed limit
because you need to take
someone to the hospital
who is in need of urgent
care
Your brother/sister is very
ill and needs medication
you cannot afford, so you
steal it
Your friend wants you to
try performance enhancing
drugs.
You apply for a job and the
employer requests access
to your health records,
including genetic tests
youmay have had.
Questions that arise from the Type
scenario (Scientific, Religious, Cultural,
Legal, Ethical, Other)
1. How fast over the speed 1. Legal
limit can you legally go? 2. Cultural
2. How fast do people 3. Ethical
usually drive over the
speed limit?
3. Is it acceptable to risk
harming others in order to
benefit one who is clearly
in need?
1. Is the penalty for stealing 1.Legal
in your country strong? 2.Ethical
Can you be sued for
stealing?
2. Is it the only option you
have left?
Can you reason with the
store about a promissory
note?
Is that person really your Ethical
friend?
Do you really need them to
perform well?
Is it really a requirement to Legal
give that to the company?
Is it allowed to give that
personal document?