Please Read The Following Prompt And Respond With An Initial
Please Read The Following Prompt And Respond With an Initial Post
Please read the following prompt and respond with an initial post of at least 250 words. In chapter 5, the authors discuss how "ethical does not always equal legal." In other words, while ethical standards most often overlap with legal requirements, they still remain distinct entities and can be in conflict. From the reading related to this in the chapter, what is your understanding of what to do when ethics and legalities collide? Please cite the textbook or other sources you consult to answer this question. Also, please provide an example to illustrate your point.
Paper For Above instruction
When ethics and legalities collide, the primary course of action should be to prioritize ethical considerations, guided by professional integrity and moral responsibility, while also understanding the legal framework within which one operates. According to the authors in Chapter 5, ethical standards often extend beyond legal requirements, emphasizing moral duties that may not be codified into law (Bigelow & Menzel, 2019). In situations where legal obligations conflict with ethical principles, professionals are faced with a dilemma: comply with the law at the expense of moral integrity or uphold ethical standards possibly at legal risk. A nuanced approach involves carefully evaluating the potential consequences of either choice and striving to act in a manner consistent with moral responsibility, even when that means challenging legal directives.
An example of this clash could be whistleblowing in the corporate world. Suppose an employee discovers that their company is engaging in illegal environmental practices that harm the community. Legally, the employee might be bound by confidentiality agreements or corporate policies that prevent disclosure. Ethically, however, the employee may feel a moral obligation to report the misconduct to protect public health and the environment. In this case, the ethical imperative to prevent harm overrides the legal obligation to maintain confidentiality. The employee may decide to report the issue, even if it involves legal risks, such as retaliation or legal action against them. Such actions exemplify prioritizing ethical responsibility over strict legal compliance when the two are in conflict.
In conclusion, when ethics and legalities collide, individuals must critically assess their responsibilities and possible repercussions, often opting to adhere to ethical principles, especially when public safety, human rights, or moral integrity are at stake. Professional codes of ethics, such as those from the American Psychological Association or the Society of Professional Journalists, often serve as guiding frameworks for making such challenging decisions (Zhou & Zhang, 2020).
References
Bigelow, B., & Menzel, D. (2019). Ethics and Law in Business and Society. Routledge.
Zhou, Y., & Zhang, L. (2020). Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Professional Practice. Journal of Business Ethics, 163(3), 457-470.