Pfeiffer and Forsberg put together a dandy little book a few years ago
called "Ethics on the Job." It provides case studies and strategies to
help people think about their own ethics and then put them into place
before they get to the decision point. They include a list of "useful
ethical values (principles)" which have the following Moral Rules
identified:
Principle of Honesty (do not deceive)
Principle of Harm (do not harm others)
Principle of Fidelity (keep promises and act faithfully)
Principle of Autonomy (permit and encourage others to act rationally)
Principle of Confidentiality (keep confidential information in proper circles)
Principle of Lawfulness (do not violate the law)
They then list the following Moral Rights:
Right to know
Right to privacy
Right to free expression
Right to due process
Right to safety
Right to own property
Right to make a profit
Rights of future generations
I thought I'd share these with you--not because I believe everyone should
agree on these principles and rights, but because I thought they make a good
beginning point for a productive conversation. I've adapted both lists to
reflect my values--and my own quirky nature. In a sense, Ben, I think they do
ensure some sense of freedom because they allow the practitioner to avoid a
sense of wrong-doing which is debt-incurring (to something or someone).
Hope this helps.
Doc
(Pfeiffer, Raymond S. and Forsberg, Ralph P., Ethics on the Job: cases and
strategies; Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1993. ISBN: 0534193862)
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