What leads to the manner in which you make decisions? - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Forester Ethics

Four States Forestry on the Grow Conference March 10, 2012 Idabel, OK Roger Griffin

What leads to the manner in which you make decisions?

• Parental/family influences
• Life experiences
• Interests
• Religious training
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Perceptions
• Others?

All these factors guide to your values:

• Defined as:

Beliefs of a person or social group in which they have emotional investment. Rules by which we make decisions about right and wrong.

Two Basic Types of Human Values

• Instrumental (utilitarian) Value
• A function of an object’s or being’s usefulness
• Can be evaluated thru cost/benefit analysis
• Intrinsic Value
• A object is valuable in itself, not for its uses
• These values are often hard to compare or

prioritize.

Values are a Component of Morals

But, what are morals?

• Teachings, or in accordance with, the

principles of right and wrong.

• Values may deal with considerations
• ther than right and wrong.

“The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it. Only morality in

• ur actions can give beauty and dignity

to life.” Albert Einstein

Ethics

Definition:

• Standards of conduct and moral

judgment.

• The system or code of morals of a

particular group or profession.

• Code of conduct, which, in order to

be effective demands a strong degree of leadership and

• commitment. (organizations)

Ethics

• Values and morals are more

individual in nature and often reflected in an individual’s ethics.

• We often judge people or
• rganizations based upon their

ethics, not so much their values

• r their morality.

Ethics

But, what is right and wrong? An individual decision, based on:

Experiences Perceptions Values Morals

A group decision, based on:

Sound reasoning Expected outcomes Societal benefits

The Hierarchy of Beliefs and Conduct

• Values – Beliefs in something in which there is

emotional attachment.

• Morality – Concerned with the rules and practices of

the conduct of an individual within a society.

• Ethics – Relate to professional conduct with respect

to contributions to specific goals of a group or

• society. Individuals have ethics, but are often

demonstrated in a larger sense.

• Religion – Relates broadly to human life. An

individual choice.

A Brief History of Ethics

Socrates (469-399 BC)

• Encouraged attention to the condition of

humankind.

• Self-knowledge was necessary for success.
• Correlated knowledge with virtue.
• Correlated virtue with happiness.
• “A truly wise person will know what is right,

do what is good and therefore be happy.”

A Brief History of Ethics

Aristotle (384-322 BC)

• Humans must realize their ‘full

potential”.

• Unhappiness and frustration are caused

by the unrealized potential of a person.

• Happiness is to be the ultimate goal.
• Self-realization, the awareness of one’s

nature and the development of one’s talents is the surest path to happiness.

Modern Ethics

Consequentialism

Holds that the consequences of a particular action form the basis for any valid moral judgment about that action. A morally right action is one that produces a good outcome. “The ends justify the means”

Modern Ethics

Deontology Determination of goodness or rightness from examining acts, rather than the consequences. The highest good must be good in itself, and good without qualification.

Modern Ethics

Natural Law (Teleology)

• Things are “good” when they fulfill their natural

function.

• Often equates “good” with “natural” (untouched

by humans) and thus resources deserve moral consideration.

• All things and beings have inherent value

because of their “naturalness”

Arguments against “Natural Law”

• Not everything can be assigned a

specific purpose (what is the purpose of humans?)

• Natural does not always mean

good (is smallpox good?)

• There is the debate regarding a

“divine plan for nature”

Ethics and Natural Resources

Two Opposing Views

• A. Frontier Ethics
• 1. Earth has an unlimited supply of

resources

• 2. Humans are above nature and not

part of it.

• 3. Success is achieved through the

control and domination of nature

Ethics and Natural Resources

Two Opposing Views

• B. Sustainable Ethics
• 1. Earth’s resources are limited
• 2. Humans are part of nature
• 3. Success is achieved through the

cooperation with nature

• 4. Natural systems are essential to

human welfare

Professional Ethics

Definitions

• Rights – Human creations that serve to protect

certain human interests: Equality, Liberty, Life and Property

• Duties – Obligations we have to other people to

not infringe on their rights.

• Justice – fulfilling of the duties to other people

(respecting their rights, no matter the cost)

Ethics

Ethical practices of a professional can be described as those which contribute to progress toward the goals of the profession or human

• society. Unethical practices are

those which hinder this progress.

Ethics

What are the goals of society? To early philosophers – Happiness was the primary goal. What does happiness mean to you?

Ethics

Dag Hammarskjold (1964), United Nations Indicated that happiness for a society is to become free and responsible.

Ethics

What does freedom mean?

• F. D. Roosevelt (1941) - Four Freedoms
• 1. Freedom from want
• 2. Freedom from fear
• 3. Freedom of speech and expression
• 4. Freedom of worship

Ethics

Let’s look at the ethics of natural resource management The objective of the natural resource professions is to apply our specialized knowledge toward making the country’s natural resources yield their fullest contribution to the economic and social welfare of the nation – i.e. to enhance the ability of the citizens to reach “freedom”

Ethical Issues

• Issues are a point of discussion,

debate or dispute.

• Issues involve others – not one

person.

• A matter of public concern – the

public is involved in the debate.

• Issues in natural resource

conservation always include value judgments and ethical conflict.

Ethics

Approaches to Ethical Decision Making

Utilitarian

• Focuses on taking action that will result in

the greatest good for the greatest number

• f people – often economic.
• Can be an ethical justification for limiting

Rights (Eminent Domain, perhaps)

• Example: Using low-wage workers. Good
• r bad?

Ethics

Approaches to Ethical Decision Making

Moral Rights

• Concerns itself with moral

principles regardless of consequences.

• Again: low-wage workers?

Ethics

Approaches to Ethical Decision Making

Universalism

• Similar to the Golden Rule
• Two steps:

1) should action apply to all people and 2), would you wish the action to apply to you?

• Low wages to yourself?

Ethics

Approaches to Ethical Decision Making

Cost-Benefit

• Balancing act of action vs. no action:
• Profits vs. public relations of low

paying low wages.

Typically, Environmental Ethics are Non- Anthropogenic

• Ethical systems that grant non-

humans (animals, plants, etc.) moral standing - An example is the Endangered Species Act

• Some ethical systems (holistic) grant

moral standing to groups or collections rather than individuals (species, ecosystems)

Ethics

Problems leading to ethical concerns:

• Unprofessional conduct.
• False and derogatory statements.
• Questionable dismissal of employees
• Promotion of destructive land use
• Advocacy of anti-social land use
• Others?

Ethics

Are all violations of ethical standards are of the same magnitude?

Ethics

Categories of Unethical Conduct

• Category 1 – The deliberate choice cases.
• Worst case
• Can result in expulsion from professional society
• Category 2 – Lack of knowledge cases
• Natural Resource schools have a responsibility

here

• Category 3 – Lack of means
• Often occurs in small-tract management and in

international development

Let’s take a look at some Professional Expectations

• Society of American Foresters
• USDA
• Corporations
• Registered Forester Code of Ethics
• Registered Forester Rules of Conduct

SAF Ethics

• Ethics may be the glue that holds a

civilized society together.

• Ethics are not laws.
• They are a set of moral principles

and values that govern an individual

• r group’s conduct.

SAF Ethics

• A profession, by definition is

characterized by conforming to its technical and ethical standards.

• Ethics provide a collective opinion of

what is right and wrong.

• That opinion changes over time, as

societal and professional values change

Corporation Code of Ethics

ETHICS AND BUSINESS CONDUCT

• Business Ethics Core Policy
• Leader and Employee Expectations
• Training
• Legal and Antitrust
• Conflict of Interest
• Transparency
• Human Rights

Example of Registered Forester Code of Ethics Mississippi

1.

I will strive to be accurate in my knowledge of forestry and will disseminate this knowledge and speak out against the spreading of false or misleading statements concerning forestry.

2.

I will advise only in a worthy and truthful manner, refraining from misleading or exaggerated statements concerning what I am prepared to perform.

3.

When participating in a public or private fact-finding session, I will base my testimony on adequate knowledge of the subject, and will not withhold data in order to substantiate my point of view.

4.

I will perform services of only the highest standards and with complete loyalty to my employer or client and will not voluntarily disclose information about the business affairs of my employer or client which the employer desired to keep confidential.

5.

I will provide only the services for which I am qualified by experience or education, and, in practice, will not agree to deviate from accepted professional standards without first advising the employer or client of the expected consequences.

6.

I will not obligate myself to a potential employer or client where I have a business interest which might influence their judgment concerning the activity I am expected to carry out.

7.

I will not accept compensation for the same service from more than one employer or client without full disclosure and consent of all parties concerned.

8.

I will engage or recommend other experts and specialists in forestry or related fields whenever my employer or client will be best served by such action, and will work cooperatively with them.

9.

I will aid the Board in keeping persons, unqualified because of lack of good moral character or inadequate training, from being registered.

10.

If I have evidence of violation of any of these canons by any Registered Forester, I will present the information to the State Board of Registration for Foresters.

11.

I will obligate myself, without reservation, to utilize all of my forestry knowledge and experience for the use, benefit, and betterment of my fellow man and his environment

Registered Forester Rules of Conduct Alabama

1.

He will advertise only in a dignified manner, setting forth in truthful and factual statements the services he is prepared to render for his prospective clients and for the public. He will strive for correct and increasing knowledge of forestry and the dissemination of his knowledge and will discourage and condemn the spreading of untrue, unfair, and exaggerated statements concerning forestry.

2.

When serving as an expert witness on forestry matters, in a public or private fact-finding proceeding, he will base his testimony on adequate knowledge of the subject matter, and render his opinion on his own honest convictions.

3.

He will refrain from expressing publicly, an opinion on a technical subject, unless he is informed as to the facts relating thereto, and will not distort or withhold data of a substantial or other nature for the purpose of sustaining a point of view.

4.

He will not voluntarily disclose information concerning the business affairs of his principals, clients, or employers which they desire to keep confidential, unless express permission is first obtained.

5.

He will not, without the full knowledge and consent of his principal, client or employer have an interest in any business which may influence his judgment in regard to the work for which he is engaged.

6.

He will not, for the same service, accept compensation of any kind, other than from his principal, client or employer without full disclosure, knowledge and consent of all parties concerned.

7.

He will engage, or advise his principal, client or employer to engage other experts and specialists in forestry and related fields whenever the client’s or employer’s interests would be best served by such actions and will cooperate freely with them in their work.

8.

He will aid in safeguarding against the registration of persons unqualified because of lack of good moral character

• r of adequate training.

9.

If he has substantial and convincing evidence of unprofessional conduct of a registered forester, he will present the information to the State Board of Registration for Foresters

Ethical Decision Making

• 1. Identify the problem
• 2. Apply the Code of Ethics
• 3. Determine the nature and size of the

dilemma

• 4. Develop potential courses of action
• 5. Consider potential consequences of all
• 6. Evaluate the selected course of action
• 7. Implement

Case Study

The End