Simona BonghezManaging Partner| Colors in Projects ltdBucharest, Romania
Why is Ethics a boring topic? Don't get me wrong, I ask this in all sincerity, considering it of utmost importance to our profession. Nevertheless, being involved in the field, I see and feel the reluctance in accepting it as a discussion topic. Why do you think this happens? Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Apr 22, 2020 11:40 AM
Replying to Stéphane Parent
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The problem with discussing ethics is the multiplicity of them. You have, at a minimum, a professional code of ethics, an organizational code of ethics and, finally, a personal code of ethics. While there is hopefully a lot of overlap across them, it can still be difficult to frame discussions within the appropriate level(s) of thinking.
You hit the mail. Adding to that is what a discipline must address to be consider a profession because in this case things,that must be defined as a requirement, like code of ethic must be address local laws and jurisdictions. On top of all of that, totally independient of "papers" is the real debate about ethic that must be done in the field of phylosophy and they are totally influence by things like culture. For example, the way in which women are treated in some countries is totally unethical for me but it is not for the people of that country nor for many others who do not make the slightest comment for doing business with them even when being in a meeting business where they see that reality. Or project managers working on projects that generate weapons of mass destruction is totally unethical for me but for some organizations it seems that is not the case because they grant credentials to these people. This would be prohibited for a doctor due to the code of medical ethics because it would be a crime and could go to jail. Then, if we will debate ethics, just in case we will do that out of any framework and using personal perception then it will be boring and with no sense for me. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Apr 22, 2020 12:26 PM
Replying to Albert Agbemenu
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Hi Simona,
Great topic.
I think ethics could be seen as a boring topic just because a person may perceive it to look like a police officer watching over all your movements. Every rational human being, irrespective of background, has some natural intuition that is able to differentiate between good and bad or what is morally right or wrong. So even without any sets of rules or codes, people must be able to distinguish between right and wrong. It is however, our motivational values that makes us behave in a particular way whether there are control measures in place or not.
As a professional, one does not even need any set of codes before doing the right thing. Even with the existence of all these codes and other sets of rules, people are still motivated to do the wrong things just for obvious reasons.
So, ethics may sound very sweet in the ears of people who want to remain upright but boring to those who are always looking for opportunities to be corrupt.
Good points, Albert.
Ethics too often is seen as limiting and policing while it could be enabling. It is sometimes good to have a framework, like a good checklist, to do things based on good practice. Our intuition works well if we made an experience before, but not so much if we run into a situation for the first time.
Before using a code of ethics as a sanctioning instrument, we should use it as a development tool: think about what you will do in specific situations, maybe learn in simulations (like we do for negotiations), read stories about ethical solutions.
The question is how to become a good (ethical) person. You can rely on intuition, or on punishing bad behavior, but as we know from elsewhere, learning by positive feedback is a better way. Saving Changes...
Gretta KelziOperations Manager/Ethics Insights Team| Esri Lebanon/PMIJdeidet Al Maten, Al Maten, Lebanon
Well Simona, if you look at the ethics from regulatory, legal, administrative perspectives, I agree that this boring and dry topic...
However, it you tackle it from a practical human values perspective, it is never a boring topic. In contrary, it should be discussed as frequently as possible, and should attract and engage more communication because ethics are in the essence and the heart of what we do in life, at least this is what I feel about it. Saving Changes...
Gretta KelziOperations Manager/Ethics Insights Team| Esri Lebanon/PMIJdeidet Al Maten, Al Maten, Lebanon
Simona, you are so on dot on the observation. I get the same feeling too. I see it as a moral science that we were familiar with as children. It was one of those classes which were mandatory but most of us thought it was a story time as they were never assessed with an exam. The curriculum had moral science for us as children to know and practice. But other subjects such as science, math took priority and then moral science became priority 2 for most of us.
Ethics is not boring at all but only read when one is hit with a problem and then seen as the panacea of medicine to save the person. Most may not look at it as an interesting subject. This is unfortunate as ethics is not to be seen as "just at the time when it is needed" and then forgotten once the issue is over.
I think as we move forward, we will need to change the perception of this practice. If we need to maintain health of the project, ethics will need to be baked in the main processes and not put on priority 2.
Thanks
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1 reply by Thomas Walenta
Apr 23, 2020 12:13 PM
Thomas Walenta
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Deepa,
good to hear from you. As a MD you have the privilege to see professional ethics from 2 sides and I really value your views.
I agree that we have to change perspectives of ethics, from school on, maybe even before that. I think ethics are best taught by stories, films, books, even poems, as those show how to evaluate situations and decide and bear the consequences.
For me ethics are a key part of decision making, and hence I would not try to automate ethical considerations in process steps (if that even can be done). Decision making, problem and conflict solving are techniques every human must understand in every process step. Ethics, heuristics, beliefs and a bit statistics drive human decision making and judgement, more than any data.
Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Apr 23, 2020 8:27 AM
Replying to Dr. Deepa Bhide
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Simona, you are so on dot on the observation. I get the same feeling too. I see it as a moral science that we were familiar with as children. It was one of those classes which were mandatory but most of us thought it was a story time as they were never assessed with an exam. The curriculum had moral science for us as children to know and practice. But other subjects such as science, math took priority and then moral science became priority 2 for most of us.
Ethics is not boring at all but only read when one is hit with a problem and then seen as the panacea of medicine to save the person. Most may not look at it as an interesting subject. This is unfortunate as ethics is not to be seen as "just at the time when it is needed" and then forgotten once the issue is over.
I think as we move forward, we will need to change the perception of this practice. If we need to maintain health of the project, ethics will need to be baked in the main processes and not put on priority 2.
Thanks
Deepa,
good to hear from you. As a MD you have the privilege to see professional ethics from 2 sides and I really value your views.
I agree that we have to change perspectives of ethics, from school on, maybe even before that. I think ethics are best taught by stories, films, books, even poems, as those show how to evaluate situations and decide and bear the consequences.
For me ethics are a key part of decision making, and hence I would not try to automate ethical considerations in process steps (if that even can be done). Decision making, problem and conflict solving are techniques every human must understand in every process step. Ethics, heuristics, beliefs and a bit statistics drive human decision making and judgement, more than any data. Saving Changes...
