RATIONALIZING OUR BEHAVIOUR
1 The first reason is “Everybody does it” - This has been used to excuse ethical misconduct. It is assumed that the ethical nature of an act is somehow improved by the number of people who do it, and if “everybody does it,” then it is as well: cheat on tests, commit adultery, lie under oath, Of course, people who use this reason usually don’t believe that what they are doing is right because “everybody does it.”
Since most people will admit that principles of right and wrong are not determined by numbers, those who try to use this reason are really admitting misconduct.
2. The second reason is “It Worked Out for the Best” - The ethical nature of an act must be evaluated when it is done, and not based on its result it is an open …show more content…
3. The Third reason is “The Slippery Slope.” - Many argue that if no harm arises from other unethical act, it cannot be “wrong:” “No harm, no foul.” This is true because it can lead an individual to disregard the unethical nature of an action and look towards the results of the action.
The practice of ethics is based on habit, and one who habitually behaves unethically in small ways is building the habit of unethical behavior.
Increase in the unethical nature of the acts, if not avoidable, are certainly common. Thus, even an unethical act that causes no direct harm to others can harm the actor, by setting him or her on the slippery slope.
4. The fourth reason can be that “If I don’t do it, somebody else will.” -It is a famous and most of the time used reason, which is always in the side of the thing which is correct because wrong things are uncertain.
Thus, journalists rush to be the first to turn rumors into breaking news.
The logic is faulty and self-serving. Sometimes someone else won’t do
1 The first reason is “Everybody does it” - This has been used to excuse ethical misconduct. It is assumed that the ethical nature of an act is somehow improved by the number of people who do it, and if “everybody does it,” then it is as well: cheat on tests, commit adultery, lie under oath, Of course, people who use this reason usually don’t believe that what they are doing is right because “everybody does it.”
Since most people will admit that principles of right and wrong are not determined by numbers, those who try to use this reason are really admitting misconduct.
2. The second reason is “It Worked Out for the Best” - The ethical nature of an act must be evaluated when it is done, and not based on its result it is an open …show more content…
3. The Third reason is “The Slippery Slope.” - Many argue that if no harm arises from other unethical act, it cannot be “wrong:” “No harm, no foul.” This is true because it can lead an individual to disregard the unethical nature of an action and look towards the results of the action.
The practice of ethics is based on habit, and one who habitually behaves unethically in small ways is building the habit of unethical behavior.
Increase in the unethical nature of the acts, if not avoidable, are certainly common. Thus, even an unethical act that causes no direct harm to others can harm the actor, by setting him or her on the slippery slope.
4. The fourth reason can be that “If I don’t do it, somebody else will.” -It is a famous and most of the time used reason, which is always in the side of the thing which is correct because wrong things are uncertain.
Thus, journalists rush to be the first to turn rumors into breaking news.
The logic is faulty and self-serving. Sometimes someone else won’t do