Applied Ethics in Applied Ethics in AgricultureAgriculture

Sociology/Economics 362Sociology/Economics 362

Paul Lasley and Arne Hallam

Fall 2012

“Character is not the same thing as reputation. Character is what you are. Reputation is what people say you are.” Josephson, 2002

How do you decide what to do?How do you decide what to do?

• Is it good or bad?• Right or wrong?• Important or not important?• Fair or unfair?• Something that brings honor or disgrace?• Hurts or helps others?

Where did you learn these values about:Where did you learn these values about:

• Good or bad• Right or wrong• Important or not important• Fair or unfair• Honor or disgrace• Hurts or helps others

Sources of valuesSources of values

• Parents• Friends• Colleagues• Church/religion• School• Organizations or clubs• Others

Ethics:Ethics:

• Refers to principles that define behavior as right, good and proper

• Are about putting principles into actionJosephson, 2002

Ethics Ethics

• ethics refers to well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues.

• ethics refers to the study and development of one's ethical standards.

http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/whatisethics.html

…….feelings, laws, and social norms can deviate from what .feelings, laws, and social norms can deviate from what is ethical. So it is necessary to constantly examine one's is ethical. So it is necessary to constantly examine one's standards to ensure that they are reasonable and well-standards to ensure that they are reasonable and well-founded. Ethics also means, then, the continuous effort of founded. Ethics also means, then, the continuous effort of studying our own moral beliefs and our moral conduct, and studying our own moral beliefs and our moral conduct, and striving to ensure that we, and the institutions we help to striving to ensure that we, and the institutions we help to shape, live up to standards that are reasonable and solidly-shape, live up to standards that are reasonable and solidly-based. based.

http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/whatisethics.htmlhttp://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/whatisethics.html

Many moral philosophers, social scientists, Many moral philosophers, social scientists, theologians and others have addressed the theologians and others have addressed the nature of human naturenature of human nature

1. One view is that humans in their natural state are hedonistic, selfish, uncaring, greedy, etc and rules/laws are needed to rein in our natural propensities

2. Second view is that humans are generally good and should be left unfettered, that good will emerge from their individual decisions.

Naturally GOOD or Naturally BADNaturally GOOD or Naturally BAD

This is the Nature vs Nurture debate

In this course we will examine major ethical perspectives. Each of these perspectives offers insights into what people view as ethical and how it shapes their decisions and actions

In a study of farm cooperatives we found In a study of farm cooperatives we found several instances of ethical lapses:several instances of ethical lapses:

•Shirking responsibilities•Business dealings with friends, relatives, or competitors•Sales incentives•Pricing policies•Illegal Practices

Reasons given for unethical behaviorReasons given for unethical behavior•Extreme pressure to show a profit•No board oversight on management•Too much competition that it is unhealthy•Business is too complex for a lay board•Fewer farmers, greater business, more incentive to retain them as members•Young farmers lack appreciation of cooperatives•Tough economic times on the farm contributed to erosion in ethical standards.

Do you suppose that farmers agree that ethics have declined among farmers?

Can you provide examples?

What Iowa Farmers Told UsWhat Iowa Farmers Told Us(2002 Farm Poll, n=1942)(2002 Farm Poll, n=1942)

•At one time a person’s word was as good as a signed contract; now you must get it in writing. 93% somewhat or strongly agreed•In general, ethical standards in society have declined. 87% agreed

What farmers told usWhat farmers told us

•I used to take a person’s word as measure of his/her honor, but now-a-days you can’t always simply accept what a person tells you. 85% agreed.•One reason ethical standards have declined is that people have lost respect for authority. 70% agreed•Often people admit they are not being ethical in paying the full amount of their taxes. 49% agreed.

What farmers told usWhat farmers told us

•Even among friends and neighbors, I am concerned that they no longer feel obliged to honor their word. 37% agreed•Farmer’s ethical standards have declined. 57% agreed

The widespread declineThe widespread decline

•Where are ethical lapses most recognized?

How have ethics changed?How have ethics changed?–% Decline in past 10 years

–Clergy 24%–Neighbors 31–Local Merchants 36–Local Agribusiness 37–Lenders 41–Farmers 45–Youth and young adults 68–Local elected officials 70–Elected state officials 72

Some guides to determine Some guides to determine if an action is ethicalif an action is ethical

1. The Golden Rule, “You act in a way that you would expect others to act toward you”

2. The Professional Ethic, “You take only those actions that would be viewed as proper by an objective panel of your professional peers”

3. Kant's Categorical Imperative, “Ask yourself, “what if everyone behaved this way?”

4. Child on Your Shoulder, “Would you proudly make the same decision if your young child were witnessing your choice?”

5. TV Test, Could you explain and justify your actions to general television audience?”

Some guides to determine if an action is ethical

Some guides to determine Some guides to determine if an action is ethicalif an action is ethical

6. The Des Moines Register Test, “Would you like your friends and neighbors to read about this?”

7. The How will it Affect Me Test. “What does it do for me? What does it do to me? “What will I think of myself?”

Four simple questionsFour simple questions

•Could you or someone else suffer physical harm?•Could you or someone else suffer emotional pain?•Could the decision hurt your reputation, undermine your credibility, or damage important relationships?•Could the decision impede the achievement of any important goal?

What happens when there is not What happens when there is not adherence to a code of ethics?adherence to a code of ethics?

•People begin to “cut corners”–Most unethical and illegal activities start small•Rationale or justifications often include, everyone else is doing it•Erosion in ethics brings about greater regulation because trust has been violated•Rules, regulations and laws reflect the formalization of ethics

Erosion in Ethics=Distrustful CultureErosion in Ethics=Distrustful Culture

•Where people no longer trust each other•Where extreme individualism is primary•Where people no longer know each other•With diminished respect, trust and cooperation, there are calls for regulations to monitor or regulate behaviours/actions

Symptoms of Distrust in AgricultureSymptoms of Distrust in Agriculture

•Legal representation•Formalized contracts•Fear of Liability—liability insurance•Less personal contact—fear of strangers•Formal communication•Suspiciousness

Need to Emphasize Ethics in FarmingNeed to Emphasize Ethics in Farming

•What would a professional code of ethics in farming look like?•Who should take the lead in drafting such a document, and how it could be used?

The Need for a Code of Ethics in FarmingThe Need for a Code of Ethics in Farming

•Evidence is there has been an erosion in ethics•The erosion in ethics has contributed to loss of trust, and consumer confidence, and calls for more regulations.•A code of ethics might restore confidence and farming could be viewed a leader in pursuing higher ethical standard.

CHALLENGECHALLENGE

•How can agricultural producers begin to develop a code of ethics that would define professional farmers and agribusiness.

•As future leaders in agriculture, the life sciences, and business we hope this course will contribute to your ability to make ethical decisions.

Let’s get started