{"id":28,"date":"2012-05-08T23:17:27","date_gmt":"2012-05-09T03:17:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.denielliott.com\/?page_id=28"},"modified":"2026-01-07T12:17:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T17:17:21","slug":"ethicallyspeaking","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/digifolio.me\/elliott\/ethicallyspeaking\/","title":{"rendered":"Ethically Speaking Radio Show"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"In<\/a>
Photo by Kristine Paulsen Photography<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ethically Speaking was a weekly radio show produced by Deni Elliott and Dean Ritz\u00a0from February 2003 through June, 2006\u00a0with support from\u00a0Montana Public Radio<\/a>, the\u00a0Montana Committee for the Humanities<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Department of Journalism and Media Studies at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg<\/a>. The show was syndicated through PRX, Public Radio Exchange.<\/a><\/p>\n

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THE\u00a0RADIO\u00a0SHOWS
\nThe Final Word (#165)<\/strong>
\nThis iteration of Ethically Speaking closes with different ideas for what constitutes the final word in ethics.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Torn Between Two Worlds (#164)<\/strong>
\nDo your workplace and home ethics differ or are you ethically consistent in all parts of your life?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Journalist Impersonations (#163)<\/strong>
\nWhat’s the story when government agents impersonate journalists?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Do be do be do (#162)<\/strong>
\nThe song of virtue ethics.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Coercion Giftwrapped (#161)<\/strong>
\nWhen is a gift philanthropy, and when is it coercion?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Service for two (#160)<\/strong>
\nSome medical professionals get caught in the middle.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

I’m so exceptional! (#159)<\/strong>
\nHow can we overcome making exceptions for ourself?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Don’t blame me. Blame the system. (#158)<\/strong>
\nWhat is the ethical import of blaming the system not yourself?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

White lies (#157)<\/strong>
\nAre white lies good lies?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Photographic Molestation (#156)<\/strong>
\nWhen is taking a photograph not just taking a photograph?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Buddhist ethics (#155)<\/strong>
\nHow karma comes into ethical judgments.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Unprofessional Advice (#154)<\/strong>
\nWhat are realistic expectations for professional advice?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Ethical Spies (#153)<\/strong>
\nWhat makes some spying ethical, and other spying not?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Not just illegal, but unethical (#152)<\/strong>
\nIf you must break the law, do so when no one is watching.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Surveillance of Teachers (#151)<\/strong>
\nStudents aren’t the only ones being tested.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

False dilemma (#150)<\/strong>
\nWhen is a choice (such as between security or liberty) not a real choice?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

The limits of property (#149)<\/strong>
\nIf it’s my property, I can do anything I want with it. Right?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

A bribe is a bribe is a bribe (#148)<\/strong>
\nWhen is a bribe not a bribe?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Cultural Imperalism (#147)<\/strong>
\nIs enforcing American standards about not buying positive news coverage a form of cultural imperalism?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Do the Right Thing (#146)<\/strong>
\nWhat prevents us from doing the right thing?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Keeping People Ignorant (#145)<\/strong>
\nIf ignorance is no excuse, should we excuse people who keep us ignorant?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Ethical Misunderstanding (#144)<\/strong>
\nWhat’s the most misunderstood concept in ethics?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Ethical Awareness (#143)<\/strong>
\nWhat can be said of a person who willingly tries to exceed ethical standards?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Discriminitory Punishment (#142)<\/strong>
\nDo some crimes deserve special kinds of punishment? Why not others?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Free Lunch (#141)<\/strong>
\nIs there such a thing as a “free lunch” between true friends?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Wealth and Commonwealth (#140)<\/strong>
\nHow does society justify abundant private wealth?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Love thy neighbor (#139)<\/strong>
\nWhat is a baseline for your treatment of others?
\n“If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

If you knew (#138)<\/strong>
\nWhat is the ethical response to unpleasant knowledge?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Talking Bumper Stickers (#137)<\/strong>
\nShould state governments issue license plates with special messages on them?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Every Picture Tells a Story… Or Does It? (#136)<\/strong>
\nDoes computer editing of photographs undermine their utility?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Majorities Rule the Village (#135)<\/strong>
\nSometimes it takes a village. But what if we don’t want to join in?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

A Responsible Response to Hurricane Katrina (#134)<\/strong>
\nSometimes we have a duty to complain.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Miniclinics (#133)<\/strong>
\nAn example of when self-interest and doing good coincide.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Forgive and Remember (#132)<\/strong>
\nWhat distinguishes forgiving someone from excusing them?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Identity Wars (#131)<\/strong>
\nHow is it that prejudice makes persecution easy?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Liquid Diet (#130)<\/strong>
\nWhen can acting in your self interest be a good thing?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Nationalism and Patriotism (#129)<\/strong>
\nIs there a difference? How is our nation motivated or hindered in its actions when motivated by one versus the other?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

A chip off the old block? (#128)<\/strong>
\nWhat makes cloning ethically different from conventional (i.e., sexual) reproduction?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Balance of Power (#127)<\/strong>
\nWhen should states acquiesce to the federal government? When should they instead claim separate authority?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Let them eat cookies (#126)<\/strong>
\nBilly wants his sister’s cookie. But his parent instead serve him the categorical imperative.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Consent and Coercion (#125)<\/strong>
\nIf we respect the autonomy of others then coercion must be replaced with consent.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Religion and Ethics (#124)<\/strong>
\nHow does ethical thought incorporate religious beliefs?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Carpe Diem (#123)<\/strong>
\nWhat does the future have to do with seizing the day?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Non-Violent Revolution (#122)<\/strong>
\nIs war the only answer to liberating people from dictatorship?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

What’s in a good friendship? (#121)<\/strong>
\nFriends are… well, what are they? What are the elements of a good friendship?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Let’s Play Doctor (#120)<\/strong>
\nIs is really best to be undressed when meeting a doctor for the first time?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Citizen Celebrations (#119)<\/strong>
\nNational holidays encourage learning and living up to American ideals.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Peak Oil is Over the Top (#118)<\/strong>
\nHow does ethical analysis help us live the good life within limits?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

The Lesson in Graduation Ceremonies (#117)<\/strong>
\nJust who can walk down that aisle and what can they wear?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Speak Up. Get Fired (#116)<\/strong>
\nIn most states you lawfully can be fired for your political beliefs.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Helpful Clerk (#115)<\/strong>
\nSometimes a sales clerk can be too helpful.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

The Gift (#114)<\/strong>
\nIs it better to give than to receive? Is there an ethic for gift giving that keeps a gift going?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Robot Soldiers (#113)<\/strong>
\nThe U.S. Department of Defense initially is spending $127 billion to develop robots, replacing human beings in combat thereby reducing risks to American soldiers. How will this affect our willingness to go to war?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Do or do not unto others? (#112)<\/strong>
\nWhat is the ethical difference between two religious adages, “do unto others” and “do not do unto others”?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

A special gift or a limited future? (#111)<\/strong>
\nWhat is a parent’s ethical obligation to help their child develop their special gifts… or not?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Just who are you on the Internet? (#110)<\/strong>
\nOn the Internet, no one knows you. So, why not lie about yourself?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Agents and Advocates (#109)<\/strong>
\nThe role of ombudsman is found in many public organizations. It distinguishes between advocacy and agency. What’s the difference?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

[Insert Racist Comment Here] (#108)<\/strong>
\nDo we have an ethical obligation to respond to offensive speech? How about, just to listen to it?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Honor and Kill Your Parents (#107)<\/strong>
\nHow do the differences between principles and practices influence our perception of right and wrong?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Virtual Classrooms (#106)<\/strong>
\nHow is it that by not knowing people in person you end up knowing their person really well?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

The Equal Right to Legal Marriage (#105)<\/strong>
\nWhat is the legal principle for claims to legalize same sex marriage? The answer is, equality before the law.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Nose to Nose in a Restaurant (#104)<\/strong>
\nThe hostess seats a bottle of cologne right next to your table, overwhelming your sense of smell and taste.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Treat Service Dogs–and their masters–with Respect (#103)<\/strong>
\nDon’t you want to just hug a service dog? Pet it? Give it treats? Well, don’t! Here’s why.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Toxic Workplace (#102)<\/strong>
\nWhat can you do to make a toxic workplace better?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Protecting College Students’ Tender Parts (#101)<\/strong>
\nConservative students allege that liberal bias on college compuses offends their intellectual sensitivities. How do these complaints compare with the process of learning?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Caring for aging parents (#100)<\/strong>
\nDo we have an obligation to care for our aging parents as we do our children?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

I love being wrong! (#99)<\/strong>
\nIt doesn’t always feel good to be wrong, but sometimes it can feel great.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Is sharing stealing? (#98)<\/strong>
\nDoes it take a thief to share a garbage can with a neighbor? To drink out of a friend’s cup of coffee in a restaurant?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

It was an accident! (#97)<\/strong>
\nYour kid is injured at the house of a friend. Your medical insurer wants to know if someone else — besides them — should pay the bill. Do you turn in your friend?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

What’s a lie between friends? (#96)<\/strong>
\nAccording to the New York Times, here\u2019s what our military leaders are debating today: \u201cIs it okay to \u2018manipulate\u2019 information that we share with neutral and allied nations?\u201d
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Learn Locally, Shop Locally (#95)<\/strong>
\nWhen you get advice from a local store do you incur an obligation to keep your business local?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

A New Year’s resolution against complicity (#94)<\/strong>
\nForget eating more vegetables or taking more dog walks (unless you have a dog, of course). Perhaps, for next year, resolve yourself to observe how you sometimes enable bad behavior in others (including your dog).
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Moral values? Sure! But which ones? (#93)<\/strong>
\nWhat’s missing from claims that the presidential election hinged on “moral values”?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

The Scope of Concern Regarding US Elections (#92)<\/strong>
\nIn thinking about our elections should you only be concerned with the impact upon yourself? Your family? Your country and not the rest of the world? Just humans and not any other animal?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

The Birth Tax (#91)<\/strong>
\nWith the federal deficit at 7.5 trillion dollars (and counting), is it ethical that those who cannot give their consent \u2013 especially the as-yet unborn Americans \u2013 should be forced to assume this burden?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Looking for loopholes (#90)<\/strong>
\nFew suggest that people pay taxes they don’t owe, but how far should we go in seeking loopholes?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Animal Rights are for Turkeys (#89)<\/strong>
\nWhat do you do if you believe turkeys possess rights?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Interests and Tactics (#88)<\/strong>
\nWhere do we start when we have such divisions?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Freedom of Sports (#87)<\/strong>
\nDon’t people have better things to do with their money than spending them on celebrity sports?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

The Party is Over (#86)<\/strong>
\nWith the Presidential election over, do citizens have duties beyond that of voting?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Winner Take All “Democracy” (#85)<\/strong>
\nIs a winner-take-all election compatible with democratic ideals?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

E-Waste (#84)<\/strong>
\nWhere should gadgets go when they die?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Promoting Election Literacy (#83)<\/strong>
\nJust because the young can’t vote doesn’t mean they can’t participate.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

He said, he said (#82)<\/strong>
\nWhat can we make of political reporting that limits itself to quoting what candidates say?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Sowing the seeds of dissent (#81)<\/strong>
\nShould we work to make foreign citizens unhappy with their governments?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

That’s the Ticket! (#80)<\/strong>
\nShould you avoid responsibility for a parking ticket if you won’t get caught?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Escaping Prison (#79)<\/strong>
\nShould a criminal history define your future?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Divorce for a Bigger Family (#78)<\/strong>
\nWhat are the positive opportunities of a divorcing family?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Such beautiful plastic… surgery (#77)<\/strong>
\nWhat’s the ethical difference between natural and modified beauty?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Performance Enhancing Drugs (#76)<\/strong>
\nWhy not create the Steroid Olympics and return fairness to athletic competitions?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Transhumanism (#75)<\/strong>
\nIf humans had wings to fly, would they still be human? How much enhancement is too much enhancement?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Gossip (#74)<\/strong>
\nWhen is it unethical to talk about other people?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Vegetarian for Dinner (#73)<\/strong>
\nWhat they don’t know won’t hurt them — or will it? Should I tell a vegetarian dinner guest that I accidentally added some chicken broth to dinner?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Pool Party (#72)<\/strong>
\nWhat might distinguish two similarly generous acts?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Self-regarding and other-regarding behavior (#71)<\/strong>
\nWhere do we draw the line in determining how our actions affect others?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Brother, can you spare a million? (#70)<\/strong>
\nWhen is it ethically justified to pay one person more than another?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Public Privacy (#69)<\/strong>
\nAnything we do in public is open to public scrutiny, right? You can’t claim that you have a right to privacy when you’re in a park or a shopping mall.\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Good Dog. Bad Owner. (#68)<\/strong>
\nWhat happens when Fido bites?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Speaking Up (#67)<\/strong>
\nSometimes, a group working to solve a problem simply adopts the first decent idea that comes along. Isn’t that good enough?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Consent to Marriage (#66)<\/strong>
\nYou get married and later find out some important fact like your partner is sterile or is deeply in debt. Should your consent to get married count as genuine?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Celebration Promotes our Best Behavior (#65)<\/strong>
\nHow may celebration encourage our best behavior?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Torture and Human Nature (#64)<\/strong>
\nAmericans are shocked with the allegations that U.S. soldiers have tortured Iraqi prisoners. Is such treatment just human nature?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Selling on E-Bay (#63)<\/strong>
\nHow much should I disclose when selling a less-than-perfect item on an Internet auction site?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

My country right or wrong (#62)
\n<\/strong>Should we cease looking for our government’s past mistakes in times of crisis?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Me do what? (#61)<\/strong>
\nYour boss asks you to tell a little lie on his behalf. What should you do?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Roll Call of the Dead (#60)<\/strong>
\nRecently, ABC\u2019s Nightline program, included reading the names of more than 700 U.S. soldiers who have died in the Iraq war. Is this an anti-war comment by ABC?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Ethics and Opinion (#59)
\n<\/strong>I have my opinion. You have yours. That’s ethics. Well, not really.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Loyalty and Fairness (#58)\u00a0<\/strong>
\n<\/strong>How should we recognize our desire for express loyalty with our interest in fairness?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Torturing Terrorists for the Greater Good (#57)<\/strong>
\nShould our government torture suspected terrorists?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

The “Many Hands” Problem (#56)
\n<\/strong>What’s our liability for being a tiny part of a big problem?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Spin Cycle (#55)
\n<\/strong>Is spin just politics as usual or is there an ethical issue?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Universal Morality (#54)
\n<\/strong>Are there ethical rules that apply to all people across cultures? Across time? Aren\u2019t there some things that are simply right or wrong?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Being Your Best (#53)
\n<\/strong>It is admirable to act ethically on any particular occasion. A steady stream of ethical acts, however, is an expression greater than the sum of the individual acts.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Community Standards for Television (#52)
\n<\/strong>The uproar regarding Janet Jackson’s recent, well, disclosure… got us thinking about the values of being offended and the meaning of community standards.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Nepotism (#51)
\n<\/strong>Should employers have strict rules against nepotism?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Breaking The Rules (#50)<\/strong>
\nA fast food chain had a slogan some years back that said, “Sometimes you gotta break the rules!” Do you think there are times that one is justified in breaking the rules? When?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Ethics of Justice, Ethics of Care (#49)<\/strong>
\nThis show compares and contrasts two ethical theories: the ethics of justice, and the ethics of care.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Biology as Burden (#48)<\/strong>
\nOnly women get pregnant, but they can’t do it alone. Is it ethical, then, that women should be primarily held responsible for preventing pregnancy? In other words, is it ethical to hold a person accountable for their biology?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Obligation to Give (#47)<\/strong>
\nWhen $45 can provide life-saving immunizations to 3 children in your town, is it ethical for you to buy another pair of shoes when you could instead direct that money to that charitable purpose?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Humor or Abuse? (#46)<\/strong>
\nWhen does a practical joke cross the line and become abuse?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Acting out of Fear (#45)<\/strong>
\nSometimes we act out of fear. Is fear ever a good reason for making a choice of action?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Excuses (#44)<\/strong>
\nSome of our listeners have asked about the foundations of ethics. So, the first week of the month we\u2019re going to take on those core questions. So today we take a look at excuses.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Yes, there is a Santa Claus? (#43)<\/strong>
\nMore than 100 years ago, New York Sun Editor Frank Church reassured a young reader that “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” Some parents today are unsure about what their children should believe about Santa Claus and other cultural myths. What do you think?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Loyalty and Willful Silence (#42)<\/strong>
\nWhat is the problem, if any, when troops publicly complain about their circumstances?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Why Marry? (#41)<\/strong>
\nIs it ethical to marry another person for reasons other than love? What is so ethical about marrying for love?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Ethics and Legal Compliance (#40)<\/strong>
\nFor the first show of each month we take a look at a foundational idea regarding ethics. This show takes a look at how ethical judgments differ from legal accountability.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

The ‘Urge’ to be Charitable (#39)<\/strong>
\nHoliday seasons are full of requests for charitable donations. What kinds of appeals get you to give, and why?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

The Paternal State (#38)<\/strong>
\nA lot of the laws we have are based on protecting us from ourselves. Seatbelt laws, helmet laws, laws prohibiting the importation of pharmaceuticals. All ostensibly keep individuals from harming themselves. Would you call these laws a violation of liberty?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Role of Fate (#37)<\/strong>
\nEthics asks us to consider our actions. What role does fate play in influencing your actions? Share with us a time when an ethical decision seemed fated, seemed beyond your control.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Origin of Ethics (#36)<\/strong>
\nEach of us has a sense of ‘right’ and ‘wrong.’ Where does this sense come from?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Music Sharing (#35)<\/strong>
\nThe music industry is threatening to take individuals to court — including a 12 year-old child — because they allegedly shared files of copyrighted music. Is this bullying? Why or why not?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Ethical Animals (#34)<\/strong>
\nCan a non-human animal act unethically?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Human Rights (#33)<\/strong>
\nMost philosophers would say that individuals have human rights that are more fundamental than those protected by law. Does it make sense to say that people have rights if these rights are not protected?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Fidelity (#32)<\/strong>
\nYou come to college depressed about leaving your sweetheart back home. Your promises to one another to stay faithful are not enough to fill your loneliness. An attractive classmate now asks you out. You go and don’t mention the back-home sweetheart; nor do you mention your new friend in conversations with the back-home sweetheart. Is this a problem?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Ethics and Constancy (#31)<\/strong>
\nIs there a danger to oneself in acting unethically? If you are honest most of the time, is it okay to lie now and then?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Terrorism and War (#30)<\/strong>
\nPolitical terrorists kill innocent others in the name of ideology. Some terrorists justify this damage on the basis that they are engaged in ‘war’ and, unfortunately, innocent people are hurt in war. Are terrorism and war ethically different or not?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Pills of Contentment (#29)<\/strong>
\nLet’s say someone offered you a pill that could stop you from desiring things that you don’t have. The pill would make you content with who you are and what you’ve got right now. The pill would provide a child-like contentment. Would you take this pill?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Implementing Justice (#28)<\/strong>
\nPoliticians speak much about “justice being served,” but they’re usually referring to criminal justice. In what ways does a society implement justice?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Democracy and the Power of “Big Money” (#27)<\/strong>
\nDemocracy is meant to widely distribute political power to citizens. How, then, should a democracy ethically deal with the political power of ‘big money’?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Women’s Work (#26)<\/strong>
\nAside from the job of a wet nurse, there is little reason to call something “women’s work,” or is there? How is “women’s work” different from that of men?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Corporate “Negative Free Speech” vs. a Peoples’ Right to Know (#25)<\/strong>
\nCorporations have successfully asserted a right not to speak about how their products are produced. For example, corporations cannot be forced to disclose the use of child labor, or if our milk was produced using bovine growth hormones. Do we people have a right to know how products are produced?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Voluntary Disclosure by Salesperson (#24)<\/strong>
\nAssuming you didn’t ask him for particulars, is it ethical for a salesmen to withhold negative information about the product he’s trying to sell to you? Does it matter if the product is something inexpensive, or something expensive, such as an automobile?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

The Duty to be Certain (#23)<\/strong>
\nEverybody is fallible. We’re only human. But do political leaders, have a special duty to be certain? How should we hold them responsible if their convincing information turns out to be dead wrong?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

The Spirit of Sacrifice (#22)<\/strong>
\nThose who make personal sacrifices for the benefit of others are sometimes called “heroes” and sometimes called “suckers.” Tell us a sacrifice that you’ve made and how you justified it.
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Smoking and Ethical Duties to Yourself (#21)<\/strong>
\nSome philosophers says we have ethical duties to ourselves. Is smoking a violation of this ethical duty to yourself?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Genetically Determined Behavior (#20)<\/strong>
\nResearch into genetics affirms that many human behaviors are programmed into us — not learned. If, say, ‘aggression’, were discovered to be a genetic trait, would it be ethical to hold people responsible for acting aggressively?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Getting Your Way with Flattery (#19)<\/strong>
\nThey say “You catch more flies with sugar than vinegar”. But when does charm become flattery, and is it unethical to use flattery to get your way?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

The Power of Myth (#18)<\/strong>
\nAn old lesson of politics is that once power is gained, use it to promote your leaders not as celebrities but as heroes, and then attack opponents as unpatriotic. In a democracy is it ethical to use this technique to achieve political ends?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Believing in the News (#17)<\/strong>
\nThe New York Times recently determined that one its journalists repeatedly fabricated, plagiarized and otherwise falsified his stories. That reporter is gone, and the need for truthful reporting remains. How do you decide what to believe when you listen to or read the news?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Women in Trouble (#16)<\/strong>
\nLike CEOs Bernie Ebbers of WorldComm, and Kenneth Lay of Enron, Martha Stewart appears to be just another poster child for corporate crime. But is her poster larger than those of men? Do you think women in trouble receive different public scrutiny than do men in similar trouble?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

The Conditions of Forgiveness (#15)<\/strong>
\nEveryone has had the experience of being caused harm by another. But, forgiveness is a different matter. Under what conditions do you think people should forgive? Under what conditions is forgiveness not appropriate?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

False Promises (#14)<\/strong>
\nIs it unethical to make a promise to a dying person in order to comfort them if you know you be unable to fulfill that promise?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Moral Mistakes (#13)<\/strong>
\nEveryone makes moral mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes are unintentional — we cause harm to someone without even realizing it. But, sometimes those mistakes are intentional — we lie to protect ourselves or someone close to us, we take advantage of situations in ways that we wouldn’t allow for others. What lessons have you learned through your moral mistakes?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Product Purchases and their Country of Origin (#12)<\/strong>
\nIn making a purchase of an item, do you take into consideration where it was made? Does it matter if the product was made in a sweatshop, on in a country opposed to U.S. policies? Why or why not?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Favoritism (#11)<\/strong>
\nWe are used to taking care of those close to us — our families and friends. Yet, ethics tells us that in some ways we need to be impartial — that we need to treat everyone fairly whether we like them or not. What are some examples in which fairness is more important than favoritism?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

(In)<\/em>Correct Change at the Farmer’s Market (#10)<\/strong>
\nAfter buying your produce, you realize you were given twenty dollars rather than five dollars in change. It is unethical to keep the extra $15? Does it make a difference if this happens at Big Box Store rather than the Farmer’s Market?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Legitimate Authority of Governments (#9)<\/strong>
\nSome people say that Iraq will not be stable until Iraqi citizens accept someone or some group of persons as having “legitimate authority” to govern. What does “legitimate authority” mean to you? What gives someone the moral right to lead?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Duty (#8)<\/strong>
\nDuty is a concept central to ethics. Some weeks ago we discussed voting as a duty of citizenship. Are there or should there be other mandatory duties of citizenship?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Conflict Analogy (#7)<\/strong>
\nOne listener suggested that conflicts between nations are just extensions of the kind of conflicts that individual people have with each other. How are the conflicts between nations like the interpersonal ones you experience?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Human Obligation to Animals (#6)<\/strong>
\nMost folks agree that we have different obligations to people than we have to non-human animals. But, do we owe anything to animals? If so, what do we owe and why?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Bankruptcy to Avoid Environmental Liability (#5)<\/strong>
\nA factory releases toxic material, contaminating nearby drinking wells. The corporation files for bankruptcy hoping to avoid the full costs of its liability. Is it ethical to use bankruptcy laws for this purpose? Does it matter if the contamination was deliberate or accidental?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Surveillance (#4)<\/strong>
\nSurveillance techniques are increasingly sophisticated and commonplace. We are all familiar with security cameras in public places, and we know that our employer may read our e-mail. So, do you think it’s wrong to be subject to involuntary surveillance?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Joe Millionaire (#3)<\/strong>
\nPrimetime TV has just seen the end of yet another wildly popular reality show, Joe Millionaire. The twist of Joe Millionaire, this modern-day “Dating Game” is that the 20 nubile hopefuls were told that Joe was a multi-millionaire. In real reality, however, he wasn’t. The women contestants were duped. Tell us, what are the ethical issues here?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

Voting (#2)<\/strong>
\nHere, in America, citizens have a right to vote. In Australia, they have a responsibility to vote. Voting is required by law. Is it unethical if U.S. citizens choose not to vote? Why or why not?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n

“Must Lie” Situations (#1)<\/strong>
\nAn episode of Seinfeld focused on “must lie” situations. The situation in question was whether the characters should truthfully tell a friend that her new baby was ugly. Can you think of a “must lie” situation or would you say that it is always wrong to lie?
\n\"a\u00a0Hear It<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ethically Speaking was a weekly radio show produced by Deni Elliott and Dean Ritz\u00a0from February 2003 through June, 2006\u00a0with support from\u00a0Montana Public Radio, the\u00a0Montana Committee for the Humanities\u00a0and the\u00a0Department of Journalism and Media Studies at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg. The show was syndicated through PRX, Public Radio Exchange.     THE\u00a0RADIO\u00a0SHOWS The …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-28","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/digifolio.me\/elliott\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/28","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/digifolio.me\/elliott\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/digifolio.me\/elliott\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digifolio.me\/elliott\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digifolio.me\/elliott\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/digifolio.me\/elliott\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/28\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1188,"href":"https:\/\/digifolio.me\/elliott\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/28\/revisions\/1188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/digifolio.me\/elliott\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}