REFLECTIVE JOURNAL SESSION 7

Reflections:

1. Understanding Ethics, Morals, and Law:

• Ethics, morality, and law are distinct concepts with different implications in personal and professional settings. Ethics is about making decisions based on values and principles, morality is personal and normative, and law sets the standards of behavior in a community.

1. Impact of Unconscious Bias:

• Unconscious bias influences decision-making processes. Awareness of these biases is crucial to mitigate their impact on ethical and fair decision-making.

1. Role of Ethical Leadership:

• Ethical leadership is essential for the well-being of humanity and the planet. Leaders need to integrate ethical considerations into their decision-making processes to address 21st-century challenges effectively.

1. Technological Dilemmas:

• Innovations like self-driving cars, gene editing, and universal basic income (UBI) present new ethical dilemmas. Balancing technological advancements with ethical considerations is critical to ensure positive societal impact.

1. Ethical Frameworks:

• Utilizing ethical frameworks helps in making informed and principled decisions. Understanding purpose, values, and principles guides organizations and individuals toward ethical behavior.

Curiosities:

1. How can unconscious biases be effectively identified and mitigated in decision-making processes?

2. What are the long-term societal impacts of implementing universal basic income?

3. How do different cultures approach the ethics of emerging technologies like CRISPR and self-driving cars?

4. What mechanisms can be put in place to ensure ethical considerations are integrated into technological advancements?

5. How do ethical frameworks differ across various industries and sectors?

Critical Analysis of Ethical Dilemmas Presented in the Videos

1. The Trolley Problem:

• Dilemma: Sacrificing one person to save five.

• Analysis: This classic ethical dilemma highlights the conflict between utilitarianism (maximizing overall good) and deontological ethics (upholding moral principles). It forces individuals to consider the consequences of their actions versus adhering to moral rules. The dilemma reveals the complexity of making ethical decisions where outcomes and principles are at odds.

1. Self-Driving Cars:

• Dilemma: Programming cars to prioritize safety in unavoidable accidents.

• Analysis: This dilemma raises questions about algorithmic ethics and the role of human judgment in automated systems. It challenges the idea of whether a machine can make ethical decisions and whose safety should be prioritized (passenger vs. pedestrians). The potential biases in programming and the transparency of these decisions are critical concerns that need addressing.

1. Universal Basic Income (UBI):

• Dilemma: The ethical implications of providing a guaranteed income to all citizens.

• Analysis: UBI presents a solution to income inequality and job displacement due to automation, but it also raises questions about economic sustainability and societal impacts. Critics argue it could perpetuate consumerism and dependency, while proponents see it as a means to ensure financial security and freedom. The ethical debate revolves around fairness, economic feasibility, and the potential to reshape societal roles and responsibilities.

1. CRISPR and Gene Editing:

• Dilemma: Democratizing gene editing for personal and societal use.

• Analysis: CRISPR technology democratizes the ability to alter DNA, raising significant ethical concerns about the potential for misuse, unintended consequences, and the ethics of genetic modification. Issues of consent, accessibility, and the potential for creating inequalities (enhanced vs. non-enhanced individuals) are central to this debate. The balance between innovation and ethical responsibility is crucial in navigating this dilemma.

Summary of Ethical Considerations

• Ethical Leadership: Leaders must integrate ethical considerations into their decision-making processes, promoting a culture of integrity and responsibility.

• Bias Mitigation: Identifying and addressing unconscious biases is essential for fair and ethical decision-making.

• Technological Impact: Balancing technological advancements with ethical considerations ensures innovations benefit society without compromising moral values.

• Frameworks and Guidelines: Employing ethical frameworks and guidelines helps navigate complex dilemmas and make informed decisions.

• Public Engagement: Engaging the public in discussions about ethical implications of technologies fosters transparency and collective responsibility.