Search Results

Problematizing Interaction

Webb Keane

in Ethical Life: Its Natural and Social Histories

This chapter looks at a variety of ethnographic cases to show how recognition and intentionality are elaborated and brought into focus in different cultural contexts. It studies the concept of dewa, ... More

This chapter looks at a variety of ethnographic cases to show how recognition and intentionality are elaborated and brought into focus in different cultural contexts. It studies the concept of dewa, which seems to thematize the role that other people play in one's own sense of self. This concept, however, is not simply just one way of describing a universal feature of interaction. Once crystallized as an object of reflections, something that Sumbanese consciously know about the world and can connect to other things they know about their world, it also guides them as they purposefully undertake ethical actions. Indeed, the chapter argues that if recognition and intentionality are basic features of all social interaction anywhere, they also serve as affordances for dealing with, or reflecting on, particular ethical questions that concern a given community.Less

Ethics in the Economy

Viviana A. Zelizer

in Economic Lives: How Culture Shapes the Economy

This chapter identifies a series of intersections between ethics and economic activity. Despite the frequency with which CEOs speak of ethics and business schools teach courses on the subject, ... More

This chapter identifies a series of intersections between ethics and economic activity. Despite the frequency with which CEOs speak of ethics and business schools teach courses on the subject, researchers have so far produced no more than scattered findings on how ethical questions actually arise within economic life, how economic actors respond to them, and what effects those responses have on economic performances. The chapter therefore concentrates on identifying salient research questions and then closes with concrete suggestions concerning the sort of inquiries that would produce better answers than are now available. The discussions cover the distinctive properties of ethical codes; how ethical codes arise; how ethical codes produce their effects; what produces violations of ethical codes; and how codes and responses to them affect economic activity.Less

Anthropology of Bioethics

Arthur Kleinman

in Writing at the Margin: Discourse Between Anthropology and Medicine

This chapter studies the anthropology of bioethics. It tries to show what bioethics is all about and why it might be significant for ethical questions in medicine; identifies the anthropological ... More

This chapter studies the anthropology of bioethics. It tries to show what bioethics is all about and why it might be significant for ethical questions in medicine; identifies the anthropological contributions to medical ethics; and examines the culture of bioethics. The chapter also looks at the possible influence anthropology might have on the practice of bioethics.Less

Utilitarianism

G. E. Moore

in Ethics: and "The Nature of Moral Philosophy"

This chapter and the one that follows analyze and elucidate the normative structure of utilitarianism. Although Moore did not consider himself a utilitarian, it becomes evident as the book proceeds ... More

This chapter and the one that follows analyze and elucidate the normative structure of utilitarianism. Although Moore did not consider himself a utilitarian, it becomes evident as the book proceeds that he accepts utilitarianism’s consequentialist account of right and wrong despite rejecting its hedonistic value theory. These opening chapters are a model of analytic exposition as Moore lays out utilitarianism’s theoretical commitments and contrasts various distinct but closely related normative theses. Moore expounds the utilitarian theory with far greater precision than the classical utilitarian thinkers ever achieved.Less

Perceptual Grounds, Ethical Disagreement, and Moral Intuitions

Robert Audi

in Moral Perception

This chapter studies disagreements involving moral intuitions and other kinds of moral cognitions. In understanding disagreements of any kind, it is essential to ascertain whether the disputants ... More

This chapter studies disagreements involving moral intuitions and other kinds of moral cognitions. In understanding disagreements of any kind, it is essential to ascertain whether the disputants differ regarding the same proposition. Sometimes a person rejects what another says without seeing just what that is, perhaps because the language used seems threatening, as where one can tell that one is being accused of something but does not see exactly what it is. The chapter calls this kind of disagreement illocutionary, since the disagreement is focused on the other's speech act and not its content. Ultimately, moral knowledge rests on perception, on intuition regarding ethical questions about actual or envisaged action, or on intuitions concerning hypothetical cases that helps one decide what is right or wrong.Less

The Impossibility of Ethics: On Mount Moriah

Derek Attridge

in Reading and Responsibility: Deconstruction's Traces

This chapter reflects Jacques Derrida's growing attention to ethical questions in the 1990s, at a time when the author was beginning to study the work of Emmanuel Levinas. For Søren Kierkegaard, ... More

This chapter reflects Jacques Derrida's growing attention to ethical questions in the 1990s, at a time when the author was beginning to study the work of Emmanuel Levinas. For Søren Kierkegaard, Abraham is the prime exemplar of the knight of faith. Like Kierkegaard, Derrida is horrified by the story of Abraham and Isaac. There is a long way from the terrible encounter with the almighty on Mount Moriah, and Derrida might seem to risk accusations of trivialising the Biblical narrative in translating it into this common domestic scene. David Wood's response does point to the extravagance of Derrida's depiction of responsible choice and resultant sacrifice as everyday, in fact second-by-second, occurrences. Kierkegaard's writing in Fear and Trembling and Derrida's in The Gift of Death stress that the responsibility to the other which concerns them cannot be explained or conveyed in philosophical language.Less

Epidemiologic Experiments: Natural and Contrived

Mervyn Susser and Zena Stein

in Eras in Epidemiology: The Evolution of Ideas

This chapter discusses natural experiments and contrived experiments in epidemiology. Some epidemiologists have remained cautious about experimental intervention. Perhaps they have been deterred on ... More

This chapter discusses natural experiments and contrived experiments in epidemiology. Some epidemiologists have remained cautious about experimental intervention. Perhaps they have been deterred on debatable ethical grounds, or perhaps they have been reluctant to sacrifice generalizability and representativeness for specificity city and internal validity. Aside from the ethical questions always present, a number of other considerations weigh. In time, effort, and expense, the scale of a preventive trial must be thought of in much the same terms as a longitudinal study. As with cohort studies, these are best justified when there is a closely specified hypothesis, and when the same answer cannot readily be obtained by other means. It goes without saying that both the intervention and the outcome must be well defined and measurable.Less

“I Do Solemnly Swear”

George F. DeMartino

in The Economist’s Oath: On the Need for and Content of Professional Economic Ethics

This chapter discusses the idea of a professional economic oath of ethics and whether such an oath exists. The chapter finds this lack interesting and explains in detail why this is so. Economics ... More

This chapter discusses the idea of a professional economic oath of ethics and whether such an oath exists. The chapter finds this lack interesting and explains in detail why this is so. Economics appears to operate on the presumption that the answer to the ethical questions that arise in economic practice are so obvious that they require no sustained attention. The chapter concludes that the economics profession faces an obligation to examine the ethical substance of its practice. A properly specified professional economics ethics would improve conduct not through legislation but through careful attention to the complex responsibilities that attend the economist's influence.Less

The Ethics of Animal Research: An Overview of the Debate

Jeremy R. Garrett

in The Ethics of Animal Research: Exploring the Controversy

This chapter briefly discusses the history and contemporary practice of animal research. It also determines the five important factors driving the scientific and ethical controversy: political and ... More

This chapter briefly discusses the history and contemporary practice of animal research. It also determines the five important factors driving the scientific and ethical controversy: political and economic, historical, cultural, epistemological, and ethical factors. The moral crux of the debate is discussed. This book is divided into four parts. Part I sets out some basic ethical and scientific starting points. Part II describes how moral theory bears on the practical ethical questions. Part III explores the unique challenges raised by the new and emerging possibilities of animal biotechnology. Part IV considers some alternative ways in which progress can be made in the debate.Less

Conclusion – Rohinton Mistry: international man of stories

Peter Morey

in Rohinton Mistry

This concluding chapter discusses Rohinton Mistry and his works as a whole. It shows that his fictions are characterised by a style that is unobtrusive and apparently direct, and which also contains ... More

This concluding chapter discusses Rohinton Mistry and his works as a whole. It shows that his fictions are characterised by a style that is unobtrusive and apparently direct, and which also contains considerable symbolic complexity. The chapter highlights Mistry's fascination with pattern, as well as the influence of his Zoroastrian background on his texts, and also tries to explain how Mistry's writing raises ethical questions and what his fictions offer to his readers.Less

Introduction

Gregory E. Kaebnick and Thomas H. Murray

in Synthetic Biology and Morality: Artificial Life and the Bounds of Nature

The Introduction contextualizes the purpose of the book, which is to discuss the ethical questions and concerns that arise in synthetic biology about the idea of creating a “synthetic cell.” ... More

The Introduction contextualizes the purpose of the book, which is to discuss the ethical questions and concerns that arise in synthetic biology about the idea of creating a “synthetic cell.” Synthetic biology has wider implications for the human relationship to the natural world, because discoveries like the M. mycoides cell at the J. Craig Venter Institute show a degree of human control over the basic mechanisms of life that humans have never attained before. Ideas that will be addressed in the book about the potential for synthetic biology and the moral and ethical debates around it are introduced.Less

Introduction to the Ethics of Protocells

Mark A. Bedau and Emily C. Parke

in The Ethics of Protocells: Moral and Social Implications of Creating Life in the Laboratory

This book promotes an open and responsible process of evaluating the prospect of protocells. It can foster constructive reflection and discussion that will help stakeholders become informed and ... More

This book promotes an open and responsible process of evaluating the prospect of protocells. It can foster constructive reflection and discussion that will help stakeholders become informed and involved. The first section of this book treats risk, uncertainty, and precaution with protocells. The second section presents lessons from recent history and related technologies. The third section describes how society should approach ethical questions in a future with protocells. An overview of the chapters included in this book is given.Less

Edifying Tales

Edward Larrissy

in The Blind and Blindness in Literature of the Romantic Period

This chapter takes a look at the condition of the blind, and also examines some stories where blind characters demonstrate fortitude and dramatise ethical and spiritual questions. It notes that while ... More

This chapter takes a look at the condition of the blind, and also examines some stories where blind characters demonstrate fortitude and dramatise ethical and spiritual questions. It notes that while these stories may not show the philosophical goals of the other treatments of the blind from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, they still show a modern fascination with the blind and their experiences.Less

Jewish Ethics and Morality in the Garden

Jennifer A. Thompson, Hasia Diner, and Jonathan Safran Foer

Aaron S. Gross, Jody Myers, and Jordan D. Rosenblum (eds)

in Feasting and Fasting: The History and Ethics of Jewish Food

This chapter introduces a method for identifying and analyzing ethical questions by exploring the meanings and uses of a synagogue food garden. A midwestern American synagogue community experienced ... More

This chapter introduces a method for identifying and analyzing ethical questions by exploring the meanings and uses of a synagogue food garden. A midwestern American synagogue community experienced tensions regarding the demolition and renovation of its historic building. Utilitarian considerations clashed with other community values. To help repair tensions, some congregation members turned to Jewish ethical concerns with the environment and community and created a food garden on synagogue property. The food garden created a new context in which members could come together and live out Jewish values of feeding the hungry, beautifying mitzvot (commandments), and making good use of natural resources.Less

Interview Preparation

Sara Watkin and Andrew Vincent

in The Consultant Interview

This chapter focuses on the preparation you will need to go through to be successful at the consultant interview. Many candidates wrongly think that the key to ... More

This chapter focuses on the preparation you will need to go through to be successful at the consultant interview. Many candidates wrongly think that the key to interview success is to know about everything political that has ever happened to the NHS or their speciality. Unfortunately this belief sets them up to be unsuccessful. The key is to take time to learn as much about yourself as possible so that you can use every interview question as an opportunity to promote why you should be given the job. In this chapter we explore: • An appropriate preparation plan • Key sales techniques • Key rules for answering questions effectively • Key tips for answering specific types of question, e.g. the negative question or the opinion question The preparation needed for answering political questions is addressed in Chapter 9. Guidance on how to approach answering questions within the interview itself is addressed in Chapter 6, e.g. not understanding the question asked. It goes without saying that the purpose of the interview is for the interview committee to appoint the right person for the job. In general this will be the person who they feel: • Will most fit with the ethos of the team, service and Trust • Is a safe doctor • Will be both a leader and a team player • Will proactively develop the service • Will work collaboratively with Trust management However, not all interview committees want all of the above in all cases. For instance, although many Trusts are currently looking for proactive, business-focused goal achievers (because there is a shortage!), some may simply want a quiet, methodical clinical professional. At the pre-interview visit it is vitally important to get a sense of what the key players really do want so that at interview you can effectively promote the benefits you will bring to the post in that regard. It is equally true that not all panel members are the same. Many panels are made up of people with divergent requirements. Less

End-of-life ethics from the perspectives of patients’ wishes

Christoph Rehmann-Sutter

in The Patient's Wish to Die: Research, Ethics, and Palliative Care

This chapter explores the moral implications of wishes to die from the perspective of the individual who holds the wish. Drawing on phenomenological literature, wishes can be described as ... More

This chapter explores the moral implications of wishes to die from the perspective of the individual who holds the wish. Drawing on phenomenological literature, wishes can be described as intentional, passive–active mental dispositions. Wishes are multilayered, extraordinarily complex, and deeply relational subjective phenomena, which can be considered as a prime part of the human capacity to participate in the social world and to be oriented towards the future. A serious wish is an initiative, since it can effect a course of actions. It can be seen as a ‘beginning’—even though the wish, in the circumstances of illness and dying, may be directed towards life’s end. Given the characteristics of end-of-life situations, the patient who expresses a wish to die is faced with serious ethical questions, and a few of these are discussed in this chapter.Less