Ethics and Deontology (The Foundations) PDF

 Ethics and Deontology (The foundations) Transversal unit Credit :01, Coefficient 01 1 N KHELOUFI  Objectifs de cours This subject aims to inform students about ethics and univer...

 Ethics and Deontology (The foundations) Transversal unit Credit :01, Coefficient 01 1 N KHELOUFI  Objectifs de cours This subject aims to inform students about ethics and university deontology, enabling them to identify their individual and 2 collective responsibilities related to their daily lives within the university environment.  The content: 3 I. Fundamental Concepts II. The Reference Frameworks III. The University Franchise IV. University Values V. Rights and Duties VI. University Relationships VII. Practices  I. Notions Fondamentales-Definitions 4 1. Morality 2. Ethics 3. Deontology (“Theory of Duty”) 4. Right 5. Distinction between the different concepts A. Distinction between ethics and morality B. Distinction between ethics and deontology 5 Introduction Morality, ethics, and deontology are fundamental topics for academic practice and university life. We incorporate trendy terms like ethics, morality, or deontology without always knowing what lies behind these words, which, in some cases, may seem synonymous. 6 1- Morality ‫األخالق‬ Morality: derived from the Latin word "mores," which means customs. It is the science of good and evil. Morality corresponds to a set of values and rules of conduct that guide individual and collective actions within societies (Drolet, 2013). It is "a mode of behavior regulation that imposes duties on individuals to do good and avoid evil" (Jutras, 2013). Morality concerns customs, habits, and above all, the rules of conduct accepted and practiced within a society (Robert, 1993). It assesses attitudes, behaviors, and actions with reference to good and evil (Fortin and Parent, 2004). 7 Morality has several sources among which we can cite: Religion ‫الدین‬ Conscience ‫الوعي‬ The sense of duty ‫االحساس بالواجب‬ The sense of respect ‫الشعور باالحترام‬ Justice ‫العدالة‬ Virtue ‫الفضیلة‬ 8 2. Ethics ‫علم األخالق‬ The word "ethics" comes from the Greek ethos, which refers to an individual’s behavior and character, and their general way of being. Today, it is a branch of philosophy that studies the set of moral norms that influence our actions and their foundations. In a way, it is the science of morality, seeking to define what is right and what is wrong. The ultimate goal of ethics is to define human behaviors in order to achieve an ideal society and the happiness of all.  9 2. Ethique ‫علم األخالق‬ The art of guiding human conduct with conscious consideration of the values at stake. It also refers to the product of a reflection on values aimed at critiquing and renewing them in response to the changes that everyday life brings to light. 10 2. Ethics ‫علم األخالق‬ Ethics is an approach aimed at finding the best solution to a given problem by relying on learned, accepted, and integrated values while considering the current context in which the problem arises.  It is a branch of philosophy focused on the moral principles that guide the conduct of an individual or a group. Ethics should provide a way of acting as well as the justifications for our actions. 11 2. Ethics ‫علم األخالق‬ Currently, ethics refers to a sectoral morality specialized in a field:  Ecological Ethics  Biomedical Ethics  Ethics of War  Business Ethics  Professional Ethics  Environmental Ethics  Social Ethics  Political Ethics 12 2. Ethics ‫علم األخالق‬  One must distinguish between morality, which refers to customs as they are practiced, and the concept of ethics, which is concerned with establishing a foundation for morality, essentially referring more to theory, rules, and principles.  While morality defines general principles or laws, ethics is an individual inclination to act according to virtues, in order to seek the best decision in a given situation. Morality does not account for situational constraints. It is binary and lacks nuance. Ethics, however, allows for discussion, argumentation, and paradoxes.  3- Deontology 13 The word deontology comes from the Greek "deontos," meaning "duty," or "theory of duties." It is defined as "the set of normative regulations adopted by professional bodies that impose duties and obligations on professionals' conduct" (Legault, 2004). In other words, it corresponds to the morality specific to a profession or trade (Desaulniers and Jutras, 2012) as it refers to what must be done and what is deemed acceptable professional conduct (Fortin and Parent, 2004).  3- Deontology 14 Generally, deontology takes the form of a written code that outlines the obligations, duties, and responsibilities of a particular group. This could involve workers in the same profession, such as teachers, public sector employees, etc. According to Le Petit Larousse, deontology is "the set of rules and duties that govern a profession, the conduct of those who practice it, and the relationships between them and their clients or the public."  Examples of deontological rules 15 Medical confidentiality in health professions and the prohibition against disclosing information about patients. Professional confidentiality for executives (engineers, technicians, etc.) in companies, with a prohibition against revealing company information. Attorney-client privilege for lawyers and the prohibition against disclosing information about their clients. The prohibition for police officers from using their position to gain personal advantages. 16 4- Right Right: Law differs from morality and ethics in that it does not judge the value of actions as good or bad; it only defines what is permitted and forbidden by the authority within a given society. Each person should understand the purpose and mission of their role within the organization.  Right 17 Right is the most effective way to regulate behavior, as it involves both the power and the duty to obey the law (Boisvert et al. 2003). It aligns with morality in its principles, as it cannot be separated from the customs of a society (Belzile, 2008). Right imposes obligations on citizens and, like morality, refers to the notion of duties. However, it differs from morality in terms of the authority behind it, since right originates primarily from the State (Boisvert et al., 2003). By its nature, right is a set of legal or juridical rules based on the Constitution of a State (Orolet, 2013). 18 To summarize Morality: What society deems good Ethics: What I deem good Deontology: What my profession requires of me Right: What the law defines as permitted or prohibited  5- Distinction between the different concepts 19 A- Distinction between ethics and morality  Etymologically, there is no difference between ethics and morality. The word mores comes from the Latin word "mores," and ethics comes from the Greek word "ethos"; both words mean "mores" or customs of behavior. Morality tends to have a religious connotation, while ethics has a more scientific connotation. 20 B- Distinction between Ethics and Deontology The word deontology refers to the set of duties and obligations imposed on members of a professional order or association. Like legal rules, deontological rules apply uniformly to all group members in all practical situations. An authority is responsible for enforcing these rules and imposing sanctions in cases of non-compliance. Ethics, on the other hand, encourages professionals to reflect on the values driving their actions and, based on this reflection, to choose the most appropriate course of conduct.  Concept Definition Origin Application example 21 Morality A set of rules and Social tradition, religion, Do not lie, help others, principles dictating what or individual belief. respect elders. is right or wrong within a society or for an individual. Ethics Philosophical reflection Philosophy, critical Questioning social justice that questions moral thinking, and social and fairness in laws. principles and the debates. decisions to be made. Deontology Specific rules for a Standards and regulations Medical confidentiality, profession defining the of professions or impartiality of judges, expected behaviors of its institutions. code of conduct for members. lawyers.  Some explanatory points 22 Morality : o General Scope: It is often personal or derived from culture and traditions. Each individual may have their own mor code. o Example: Not stealing is a moral principle accepted by the majority of societies. Ethics o Critical Reflection: Ethics is a reflection on moral principles, often in complex situations where traditional moral rules are insufficient. o Example: In cases of euthanasia, ethics questions the notions of suffering, dignity, and individual choice. Deontology : o Specific to a Profession: Each profession has its own deontological rules, established to ensure respect for moral principles withi professional framework. o Example: A doctor is bound by professional confidentiality, a deontological rule that protects patient privacy. 23 Conclusion  In recent years, the debate on ethics and deontology has permeated the academic sphere. It has become essential to introduce these concepts within the university community and, above all, to clarify them so that they are well understood by all participants. Ethical reflection involves questioning both actions and omissions. Morality governs actions and omissions, as well as intentions, even if they remain hidden. Deontology, on the other hand, guides actions and omissions.