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THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF ZANZIBAR(SUZA)

By Nahoda, A.M

Ethic and development• Contenti. Definitions and concepts and theories; ii. Civic ethic and professional ethicsiii. Responsible citizenship

Ethics• The word Ethics originate from Greek word

“ETHOS”. The word means traditionally and generally accepted way of behaving of doing things.

• the systematic study of rightness and wrongness of human conduct and character as know by natural reason

• Is the systems of value and custom instantiated (represented by) in the lives of particular groups of human beings

Ethics• Ethics is the word that refers to morals, values,

and beliefs of the individuals, family or the society

• Ethics is the branch of philosophy concerned with distinguishing the right from the wrong.

• Almost all social groups, from the smallest voluntary association to whole societies, generate and promote ethical codes; that is, they socialise their members into a conception of moral and immoral action

Ethics• Three concepts central to the subject matter

of ethics are distinguished: 1) Good (which refers to the ideal, or the thing

that is desired); (virtue)2) Right (what is not wrong); and3) Ought (which refers to obligation, duty, or

responsibility, both of the individual and of the society).

Ethics

It is about making a good, right and acceptable choice

Forms of ethics

1. Metaethics (what is good? etc)

2. Normative ethics (what should we do?)

3. Applied ethics (how do we apply ethics to work and lives?)

4. Moral psychology (the biological and psychological bases)

5. Descriptive ethics (what morals people follow)

EthicsMorals:• Morality is concerned with principles and

practices of morals such as:• (a) What ought or ought not to be done in a

given situation? • (b) What is right or wrong about the handling

of a situation? and• (c) What is good or bad about the people,

policies, and ideals involved?

EthicsMorals Principles Beneficence – Bringing about good Nonmaleficence – Preventing harm, to do no

harm Autonomy – Self-reliance, independence,

liberty rights, individual choice, freedom of will Veracity – Telling the truth Fidelity – Being faithful Justice – Acting with fairness or equity

What is your conclusion?

AbortOr

Keep the babyWHY?

What is your conclusion?Abort

OrKeep the baby

WHY?

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Ethics

core moral values• Rushmore Kidder’s research identified 5 core

moral values– Honesty– Respect– Responsibility– Fairness– Compassion

Ethics

• Etiquette — correct behavior and practices according to social convention.– Often not formally addressed.– Often critical to your success.– Nonconformance to standards of etiquette may cost

you a job, a sale, a deal, or a promotion.

• Etiquette determines what is polite behavior

ETHICS, MORALITY AND ETIQUETTE• It’s hard to make a distinction between these three

terms because they are closely related.• Morality is a differentiation of actions between those

that are right and wrong• Etiquette is a code that governs social behaviour

within a society, class or group.• Ethics is the philosophy of moral values.

Distinction between ethics, etiquette and moralityDifference between these three terms is that morality

defines our character, while ethics points towards application of morality and etiquette focuses on

behaviour in a certain setting.

Ethical dilemmas• Ethical dilemmas, also known as

a moral dilemmas, are situations in which there is a choice to be made between two options, neither of which resolves the situation in an ethically acceptable fashion.

• There are three conditions that must be present for a situation to be considered an ethical dilemma.

Ethical dilemmas• The first condition occurs in situations when an

individual, called the “agent,” must make a decision about which course of action is best.

• The second condition for ethical dilemma is that there must be different courses of action to choose from.

• Third, in an ethical dilemma, no matter what course of action is taken, some ethical principle is compromised. In other words, there is no perfect solution.

What is an Ethical Question?● Ethical questions often involve the words “ought” or “should,”

implying a difficult decision must be made.

● There are several alternate solutions, none of that is without some challenging or problematic aspect.

● They contain conflicting moral choices and dilemmas, and the underlying values of the people involved may clash.

● They have no right or wrong answer which satisfies all parties, but better or worse answers based on well-reasoned justifications.

Ways of classifying ethical dilemmas• Truth vs Loyalty - this is about being honest while keeping

one's promises. Truth tends to be about accurately reporting the fact. Loyalty is about feelings of allegiance to a friend, a group, or a set of ideas.

• Individual vs Community - this is about placing the interests of the individual against those of the larger community.

• Short Term vs Long Term - this is about requirements of the present against the need for a safe and secure future.

• Justice vs Mercy - this is about the conflict between fairness and equal treatment on the one hand and compassion and understanding of special circumstances on the other.

Solving an ethical dilemma■ Four components to solve an ethical

dilemma:1. Identify the problem2. Develop alternative solutions3. Select the best solution4. Defend your selection

Ethical theoriesEthical theories• Ethical theories are sometimes classified into three

basic types: virtue, deontological, and consequentialist theories

• Virtue theories take judgments about persons or agents as the most basic;

• Duty-based or Deontological ethics• Deontological theories take judgments about

actions; • Consequential theories look at consequences

Ethical theoriesEthical theories• Who is responsible? Who did it? Virtue

theories• What was done? Deontological theories take

judgments about actions; • What is the impact/ effect of the action/

behaviour? Consequential theories look at consequences

Deontological TheoriesEmphasize the nature of the actSome acts are inherently good or right and some acts are inherently wrong or badDeontological theories have in common the view that we have an inherent duty to perform right actions and avoid bad actions

ConsequencesActions based on the foreseeable outcome of a course of decisionEthical theories that focus primarily on consequences in determining moral rightness or wrongness are called: Teleological EthicsUtilitarianism is the most famous of these and requires us to do what is likeliest to have the best consequences

VirtueEthical theories that emphasize character, or virtue are virtue theoriesGood character traits are virtuesBad character traits are vicesAristotle maintained that the development of virtuous character traits is needed to ensure that we habitually act rightlyVital to empower our character with the tendency to do good

VirtueA virtue ethicist is likely to give you this kind of moral advice: “Act as a virtuous person would act in your situation.” virtuous person is someone who has ideal character traits. These traits derive from natural internal tendencies, but need to be nurtured; however, once established, they will become stable.

Civic ethic• Civic ethics are the moral duties and rights, as

a citizen of the village or the country or an integral part of the society and environment.

• An individual may exhibit civic ethics by voting, volunteering, and organizing welfare groups and meetings

• In modern state obligation and rights of the citizens are normally enshrined in the constitution.

Civic ethic• Rights enshrined in the URT constitution are:• The Right to Equality• The Right to Life• Right to personal freedom• Right to privacy and personal security• Right to freedom of movement• Right to freedom of religion• Freedom to participate in public affairs• Right to work• Right to own property• Right to freedom of association

Civic ethic

• The citizen also have the following duties:• Duty to participate in work• Duty to abide by the laws of the land• Duty to safeguard public property• Duty to defend the nation

Work ethics• Work ethics is defined as a set of attitudes

concerned with the value of work, which forms the motivational orientation.

• Work ethics are very common in the public services, private sectors but most commonly in the profession.

• Profession such as engineering, doctor, lawyers, bankers and journalist need ethics code of conducts,

Codes of ethics• Codes refer to any of various systems or

collection of principles, rules, or regulations that do not constitute a legal code.

• A set of rule of procedures and standard of materials designed to secure uniformity and protect public interest.

• The ‘codes of ethics’ exhibit, rights, duties, and obligations of the members of a profession and a professional society

CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE TANZANIA

In order for the Public Service to be efficient and respected Public Servants must behave and conduct themselves in the following manners :- • 1. Respect all Human Rights and be courteous; • 2. Perform diligently and in a disciplined manner; • 3. Promote team work; • 4. Pursue excellence in service;

CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCTFOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE TANZANIA

• 4. Pursue excellence in service; • 5. Exercise responsibility and good

stewardship; • 6. Promote transparency and accountability; • 7. Discharge duties with integrity, and • 8. Maintain political neutrality.

Professional Ethics

• System of conduct to guide the practice of a specific discipline

• Applied ethics• Professional & societal

expectations that those who practice a profession have a duty to practice, behave & act in an ethical manner

Professional Ethics• Professional ethics is related to the moral issues

which arise on account of specialized know how which professionals attain, and how the use of this knowledge should be governed when providing a service to the public

• Professional ethics also deals with the person's professional associations or qualifications ethics.

• Professional ethics are specific to a particular profession such as Medical doctors, etc

significances of Professional Ethics• As occupations become more specialized, the

ethical issues become more specialized• Professional societies have increased efforts

to establish ethical codes to guide members• There is regulatory oversight, public

protection against misbehaviors• It creates group identity due to share

education, training, requirements for admission

significances of Professional Ethics

• Special uncommon knowledge is used in the service of others… positive social need

• Professional involves individual judgment, (some) autonomy in decisions

• Profess adherence to certain values• Penalties for substandard performance

Ethical person

A person is ethical:• If he does what he ought to do.• If he does what he should do.• If he perform his duties• If he has high morals and does what is right.

Responsible Citizenship

• A responsible citizen is the one who act according to his rights and perform his duties.

• A responsible citizen is an ethical person• Becoming and staying informed eg through

Newspapers, news, radio, education,..• Participating in democracy eg by voting• Abiding by Rules and Laws• Consideration of others eg through charitable

work, donations, volunteering,…

Is this an ethical person? why?

Is this right or wrong?Why?

Is this right or wrong?Why?

Is this right or wrong?Why?

Is this right or wrong?Why?

Is this right or wrong?Why?

Seminar Questions

3. Most of the social evils such as rapping, robbery, abortion and bribery are due to lack of ethical principle in those who commit these evils. Justify the statement.

4. What is the significances of having code of ethics in the work place?

5. Discuss the differences between work ethics and professional ethics

6. What knowledge and skills will you use in solving ethical dilemmas?

REFERENCESBlackburn, Simon. (2001).Ethics: A Very Short Introduction.

Oxford:Oxford University PressCraig, Adward(ed). (2005) The shorter Routledge encyclopedia of

philosophy. London: Routledge.Lanone,A.P (2001). Dictionary of World Philosophy. London: Routledge.Naagarazan,R.S. (2006). A Texts Book of Professional ethics and Human

values.New Delhi: New Age International URT. 1977 Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania. URT. A Code of Ethics and Conduct for the Public ServiceWarburton, Nigel. (ed). (2005)Philosophy: Basic Readings .London:

Routledge.Weston, Anthony. (2006). A practical companion to ethics. Oxford:

Oxford University Press.