The Oxford Handbook of Professional Economic Ethics

2014 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Welfare ◽  
Professional Ethics ◽  
Institutional Design ◽  
Ethical Reasoning ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Policy Formation ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Economic Ethics ◽  
Economic Practice ◽  
Economics Profession

For more than a century, the economics profession has extended its reach to encompass policy formation and institutional design while largely ignoring the ethical challenges that attend the profession’s influence over the lives of others. Economists have proved to be disinterested in ethics, which, embracing emotivism, they often treat as a matter of preference, and hostile to professional economic ethics, which they incorrectly equate with a code of conduct that would be at best ineffectual and at worst disruptive to good economic practice. But good ethical reasoning is not reducible to mere tastes, and professional ethics is not reducible to a code. Instead, professional economic ethics refers to a new field of investigation—a tradition of sustained inquiry into the irrepressible ethical entailments of academic and applied economic practice. The risks and costs of establishing the field are real, but a profession that purports to enhance social welfare cannot avoid them.

Introduction, or Why This Handbook?

2015 ◽  
pp. 2-10
Author(s):  
George F. DeMartino ◽  
Deirdre McCloskey
Keyword(s):  
Social Welfare ◽  
Professional Ethics ◽  
Institutional Design ◽  
Ethical Reasoning ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Policy Formation ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Economic Ethics ◽  
Economic Practice ◽  
Economics Profession

For more than a century, the economics profession has extended its reach to encompass policy formation and institutional design while largely ignoring the ethical challenges that attend the profession’s influence over the lives of others. Economists have proved to be disinterested in ethics, which, embracing emotivism, they often treat as a matter of preference, and they seem hostile to professional economic ethics, which they incorrectly equate with a code of conduct that would be at best ineffectual and at worst disruptive to good economic practice. But good ethical reasoning is not reducible to mere tastes, and professional ethics is not reducible to a code. Instead, professional economic ethics refers to a new field of investigation—a tradition of sustained inquiry into the irrepressible ethical entailments of academic and applied economic practice. The risks and costs of establishing the field are real, but a profession that purports to enhance social welfare cannot avoid them.

Professional Economic Ethics: The Posnerian and Naïve Perspectives

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
George DeMartino
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Professional Ethics ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Inappropriate Behavior ◽  
Economic Ethics ◽  
Economics Profession ◽  
Way Of Thinking

Abstract There are two broad ways to think about the nature and purpose of professional economic ethics. The first (The Posnerian View), which comes most readily to mind for economists, is ethical legislation that is intended to prohibit illicit or otherwise inappropriate behavior by the members of a profession. The goal is to prevent bad or weak-willed professionals from doing bad things. In this way of thinking, professional ethics must take the form of a binding code of conduct that spells out the “do's” and “don'ts” of professional practice. A second view, the Naïve View, argues that professional ethics is something other than a code of conduct. In this view, professional ethics seeks to enable virtuous practitioners to do good. This view presents an expansive view of professional ethics—as a tradition of careful inquiry into the full range of ethical issues that arise in the context of professional practice. This paper elaborates the central assumptions and claims of these two perspectives on professional ethics, and explores what these two perspectives imply about the content of and prospects for professional economic ethics. The paper criticizes the Posnerian View, advocates the Naïve View, and teases out what the latter perspective implies for the economics profession.

Book Reviews

2011 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 724-725
Keyword(s):  
International Studies ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Economic Ethics ◽  
Ethical Thought ◽  
University Of Denver ◽  
Economic Practice ◽  
The Interest Rate ◽  
Learning From Others ◽  
The University

Sharon Oster of Yale School of Management reviews “The Economist's Oath: On the Need for and Content of Professional Economic Ethics” by George F. DeMartino. The EconLit Abstract of the reviewed work begins “Presents a case for professional economic ethics and why it is necessary. Discusses the need for professional economic ethics; economic practice--what economists do; ethical challenges confronting the applied economist; historical perspective--don't predict the interest rate; interpreting the silence--the economics case against professional economic ethics; breaking the silence--a rebuttal of the economic case against professional economic ethics; the positive case for professional economic ethics; learning from others--ethical thought across the professions; economists as social engineers--ethical evaluation of market liberalization in the South and transition economies; the global economic crisis and the crisis in economics; on sleeping too well--in search of professional economic ethics; training the “ethical economist”; and the economist's oath. DeMartino is Professor of Economics in the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. Index.”

Integrating Professional Ethics into the Technical Writing Course

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean G. Hall ◽  
Bonnie A. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Professional Ethics ◽  
Technical Writing ◽  
Ethical Reasoning ◽  
Technical Problem ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Fault Trees ◽  
Writing Course

As communication teachers attempting to bridge the gap between school and industry, we need to give students a true understanding of what it means to be a professional. We may be spending too much time trying to get them to write and speak like professionals without also imbuing them with sufficient understanding of their responsibilities to behave as professionals. Students need to be practiced in the communication and decision-making situations they will encounter in their workplaces. These decisions involve ethical reasoning as well as technical problem solving. Teaching students to appreciate the consequences of their recommendations, through the use of fault-trees and cost/benefit analyses in realistic simulations, effectively bridges the gap between the classroom and boardroom. A sample situation is explained and analyzed for its use in any technical communications class.

scholarly journals <i>La Commedia Scientifica</i> – Dante and the scientific virtues

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-145
Author(s):  
Anthea R. Lacchia ◽  
Stephen Webster
Keyword(s):  
Virtue Ethics ◽  
Scientific Misconduct ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Narrative Structure ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Narrative Device ◽  
Contemporary Science ◽  
The Divine Comedy ◽  
Moral Universe

Abstract. The ethical challenges facing contemporary science range from scientific misconduct to the rightful treatment of people, animals and the environment. In this work, we explore the role of virtue ethics, which concern the character of a person, in contemporary science. Through interviews with 13 scientists, eight of whom are geoscientists, we identify six virtues in science (honesty, humility, philia, innocence, generosity and reticence), paired with vices, and construct a narrative argument around them. Specifically, we employ the narrative structure of the late medieval poem The Divine Comedy, by Dante Alighieri, and draw on its moral universe to explore the scientific virtues. Using this narrative device, we make the case for virtue ethics being a reliable guide for all matters scientific. As such, this work lays out a modern code of conduct for science.

Flori Pharma: maintaining ethics in an unethical sales environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Muhammad Muzamil Sattar ◽  
Asad Ali Qazi ◽  
Farhan Shahzad ◽  
Abdul Rehman Shaikh
Keyword(s):  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Competitive Environment ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Leading Position ◽  
Ethical Norms

Learning outcomes The learning outcomes are as follows: what tasks are to be done by medical representatives in pharmaceutical industry? This study also highlights various competencies required to do effective selling in this industry; analyzes and discusses different unethical practices going on in the market; explains why ethical norms are necessary in sales context when sales targets are already achievable with unethical means; and develops and comments on strategies Flori Pharmaceutical can make to overcome on these unethical issues. What should be the response of Dahar to the email of Naveed khan? What course of action should be taken by Dahar in the deceitful reporting case of Mohsin Ali? Case overview/synopsis Flori is considered a leading and growing multinational organization in the highly competitive environment of Pakistan pharmaceutical industry with over 40 years of experience. The company aims to command a leading position in developing new health-care products as it offers a wide range of diabetic, cardiovascular, respiratory and vitamin products based on quality as a result of high research and examination. Recently, an email to Bilal Dahar on March 2017 from Flori’s star sales person Naveed Khan has forced management to take some strong decisions regarding ethical norms and values to be adopted by medical representatives of Flori pharmaceuticals. The email highlighted the issues related to sales pressure which are leading toward unethical sales practices. Dahar just not have to maintain Flori’s ethical code of conduct but he and his team also has to work hard to achieve more than 26% growth rate in sales revenue as compared to last year. Dahar knew that the highly competitive environment of pharmaceutical industry has led most of the stake holders to indulge in unethical behavior to achieve their individual targets. He knew that this is dangerous in long term for the multinational organizations such as Flori pharmaceuticals as if the similar behavior continues, the sales culture and values of the organization would be on stake. He also has to decide what decision to be taken against deceitful reporting issue of one of the top-performer territory managers, who was key person in helping Flori to close the sales year 2016 with the revenue of Rs. 6.4bn, a 26% growth over the last year. The case is rich enough to provide a platform regarding management of several ethical challenges in pharmaceutical selling and developing strategies based on them. Complexity academic level BBA, MBA final year. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 8: Marketing.

scholarly journals Pathologies and Paradoxes of Co-Creation: A Contribution to the Discussion about Corporate Social Responsibility in Building a Competitive Advantage in the Age of Industry 4.0

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (18) ◽  
pp. 4954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Adamik ◽  
Michał Nowicki
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Economic Practice ◽  
Corporate Social

Research problem: Revolution Industry 4.0. forces companies to face specific competence-related, technological, organizational and even ethical challenges. The use of innovative “tools” associated with that revolution not only brings new technological challenges, opportunities to build new competitive advantages, new areas of activity, and new types of business benefits but also doubts, questions, or even pathologies and paradoxes. Sometimes, entities that do not fully understand the essence of the new concepts, methods, or techniques use them incorrectly or abuse them for private goals and expose themselves to criticism—sometimes even social condemnation. These are examples of the lack of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of these organizations. This situation also has reached co-creation. In theory, it is a very positive concept, aimed at building competitiveness, or various types of competitive advantages of companies by creating value for clients with their participation. In economic practice, unfortunately, it is not always successful. Purpose: The main purpose of this paper is to identify and characterize the key paradoxes and areas of potential pathologies of creating competitive advantage based on co-creation without CSR in the case of companies operating in the age of Industry 4.0. Originality/value of the paper: A theoretical study based on the extensive literature review describing paradoxes, ethical and CSR problems of co-creation in organizations creating competitive advantage in the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and a qualitative methodology of research. This study attempts to systematize paradoxes of co-creation and the areas and industries in which the related pathologies of co-creation occur particularly often and distinctively in economic practice. The empirical studies were conducted as a review of case studies of companies that use the concept of co-creation in an irregular way (paradoxical or with pathologies). This study identified and characterized the key 31 paradoxes and pathologies of creating competitive advantage based on co-creation in the case of 14 companies operating in the age of Industry 4.0. Implications: The identification of main dilemmas, paradoxes and pathologies of co-creation; signaling the role of governance and CSR in processes of the valuable use of co-creation in the age of Industry 4.0. Based on the observations described in the paper, it is worth recommending that when becoming involved in co-creation, one should observe ethical standards and assumptions of CSR, and require the same from partners and other parties involved. Otherwise, the risk is that instead of co-creation, the result achieved will be exactly the opposite to that intended, which is co-destruction, and condemnation instead of glory. This is why it is worth considering the paradoxes that are key to co-creation and approaching solutions in a conscious way.

scholarly journals Analysis of perceptions of auditors/chartered accountants’ on selected Indian accounting standards

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 340
Author(s):  
Bharathan Viswanathan ◽  
Robinson Joseph ◽  
Philip Thomas ◽  
Sambasivan Elumalai
Keyword(s):  
Professional Ethics ◽  
Codes Of Conduct ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Professional Code ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Chartered Accountants ◽  
Proper Behavior

<p>Indian accounting standards are not only principle based but also based on users’ perceived ethical notions on professional ethics and compliance with professional code of conduct that are issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).Codes of conduct for accountants give guidelines for proper behavior in the profession. The present study attempts to understand the perceptions of practicing auditors and professional Chartered Accountants (CAs) on the Indian accounting Standards and adherence to the professional code of conduct issued by the ICAI. The study is based on a survey conducted among a sample of qualified CAs. On the basis of the findings, the study concluded that ethical accounting standards are fundamentally necessary for accountants to produce quality financial reports free from material misstatements.</p>

scholarly journals PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND A CALL FOR PHILOSOPHICAL LITERACY

Think ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (54) ◽  
pp. 37-47
Author(s):  
Andrew Knight
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Professional Ethics ◽  
Ethical Reasoning ◽  
Codes Of Conduct ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Professional Workplace

It could be argued that there is now a crisis of confidence in the professions. Although many professionals individually undertake their roles with care and diligence, there have been so many systematic failures involving professionals across a range of sectors, both in the UK and globally, that the special status enjoyed by the professions is being widely questioned. In this article, I argue that recent cases are symptomatic of a lack of ethical reasoning in professional practice, yet professions enjoy an elevated status based on claims that ethics, typically communicated in codes of conduct, are central to their purpose. I argue that to help solve this crisis, philosophical literacy needs to be promoted in school, initial professional education and continuing professional development. Passing tests to superficially demonstrate an understanding of a code is quite different from reasoning through practical dilemmas in the professional workplace with judgements informed by philosophical ideas.

School Psychologists and Ethical Challenges

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-61
Author(s):  
Maryanne Kapoulitsas ◽  
Tim Corcoran
Keyword(s):  
School Psychologists ◽  
Education System ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Professional Ethics ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Ethical Practice ◽  
System A ◽  
State Education ◽  
Future Direction ◽  
Secondary State

This research explored how psychologists working in the Victorian secondary state school system construct meaning around ethical practice. The specific aims of the research were to examine psychologists understanding of ethics in practice within schools and to explore challenges they faced regarding professional ethics when working in the education system. A qualitative design was adopted to explore the topic. Five psychologists working in the Victorian state education system were interviewed, and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. Two themes presented from the transcripts: legalities and ethics and varied peer support. The psychologists reported having to confront often and repeated ethical challenges, but despite this, positioned themselves as ethical practitioners. Ethical practice was portrayed as a complex construct that is always socially and politically embedded. Subsequently, discussion on the topic should extend beyond the sole practitioner. The research provides future direction for policy development and workplace procedures, including access to professional supervision.

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