Syfte Syftet med denna studie är att analysera skillnader i betydelse mellan komponenterna: etisk bedömning, etisk avsikt och etisk plikt i förhållande till uppfattad betydelse av ett etiskt problem i den etiska beslutsprocessen.  Metod En analys av tidigare forskning genomfördes för att skapa en teoretisk referensram samt få en god översikt över forskningsområdet. En kvantitativ metod användes därefter för att samla in empiriskt material. Detta gjordes med hjälp av en enkät som bestod av scenarion som respondenterna fick ta ställning till. Den empiriska informationen analyserades i SPSS, där utfördes deskriptiv statistik, korrelationsanalys, faktoranalys samt regressionsanalys. Resultaten presenterades, diskuterades och utmynnade i en slutsats samt förslag till fortsatt forskning.  Slutsats De slutsatser som kan dras utifrån studien är att den etiska bedömningen har störst påverkan på den uppfattade betydelsen. Det kan även konstateras att den etiska avsikten samt den etiska plikten inte har någon signifikant påverkan på den upplevda betydelsen när ett etiskt dilemma ses som mindre allvarligt.  Uppsatsens bidrag Studien bidrar till en ökad förståelse för fastighetsmäklares attityder gentemot etiska dilemman, samt att den etiska beslutsprocessen är mer komplex än vad som tidigare presenterats. Vi belyser även hur säljchefer kan påverka sina anställda till ett mer etiskt agerande genom att uppföra etiska koder samt arbeta för ett gott etiskt klimat. / Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyse the differences in importance between the components: ethical judgement, moral intent and moral obligation relative to the perceived importance of an ethical issue in the ethical decision making process.  Method An analysis of previous studies was made in order to create a theoretical framework and to obtain an overview of the field of research. A quantitative method was used to collect the empirical data. This was made by using a survey where the respondents had to take a stand to ethical dilemmas presented with vignettes. The empirical data was analysed in SPSS, where descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, factor analysis and regression analysis were created. The results were presented, discussed and lead to a conclusion and suggestions for future research.  Conclusion The conclusions that can be drawn from the study are that ethical judgement has the biggest impact on the perceived importance of an ethical issue. It is also possible to establish that the moral intent and moral obligation does not have a significant influence on the perceived importance when an ethical dilemma is perceived as less important.  Contribution The study contributes to a deeper understanding of real estate agents’ attitudes towards ethical dilemmas. It also shows that the ethical decision making process is more complex than earlier presented. We also highlight how sales managers can influence their employees to a more ethical approach by setting ethical codes and work for a good ethical climate.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The progress that has been made over the last decade in the field of medical technology, has made it possible to treat medical conditions today, that was considered incurable before. In the medical field there are three milestones in particular which has led to important new discoveries. These are the charting of the human genome, the development of cloning techniques, and the discovery that stem cells could be used in the treatment of a great number of illnesses, as well as the regeneration of sick or damaged tissue. The development of these therapies are, however, morally controversial. The main reason for this is the fact that in most cases, these techniques involve research on, or the use of, embryonic cells. The reason why many people believe that it is morally problematic to use embryo tissue for research and/or therapeutic purposes, is because embryonic cells have the potential to develop into fully independent human persons. It is, however, also this characteristic of these cells which makes them so suitable for use in stem cell therapies: Because certain types of stem cells, especially stem cells that are found in embryos in an early stage of development, have not yet differentiated into specific cell types, they can be used to repair any cell type in a person with a compatible tissue type. The reason for this is that undifferentiated stem cells have the potential to change into any cell type found in the human body. The question that arises when a decision about the moral acceptability of these therapies has to be made is whether one can say that an existing person who happens to be ill, has a higher moral standing than an embryo. The only way in which the use of embryo tissue could be morally justified, would thus be if it could be proved that the moral standing of an embryo is not equal to the moral standing of a person. The other important consideration that has to be taken into account when the moral acceptability of these therapies has to be taken into account is the fact that it is possible to harvest stem cells from a number of sources. Some of these sources of stem cells are less controversial than others. The discussion of the moral problems arising from the use of embryo tissue for therapeutic purposes, would thus, in this thesis, focus to a large extent on determining what the moral status of the embryo might be. The different positions with respect to the moral standing of the embryo will be discussed in the light of arguments for, as well as against the use of embryo tissue for therapeutic purposes. An explanation will also be given of therapies for which the use of embryo tissue might be needed, at present as well as in the future. The potential gains for people suffering from certain conditions, could possibly serve as a justification for destroying embryos for therapeutic uses. The main purpose of this thesis is to be able to give morally justifiable reasons for the therapeutic use of embryo tissue. The specific conditions that would have to be met to make these therapies morally justifiable will also be explained. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die vordering wat die afgelope dekade gemaak is ten opsigte van mediese tegnologie, het tot gevolg gehad dat dit vandag moontlik is om siektetoestande te behandel wat voorheen as ongeneeslik beskou is. Daar is veral drie belangrike mylpale wat in die mediese veld tot belangrike nuwe ontdekkings gelei het, naamlik die kartering van die menslike genoom, die ontwikkeling van kloningstegnieke, en die ontdekking dat stamselle gebruik kan word vir die behandeling van 'n groot aantal siektetoestande, asook die regenereering van siek of beskadigde weefsel. Die ontwikkeling van hierdie terapieë is egter moreel kontroversieel. Die rede hiervoor is dat hierdie tegnieke in die meeste gevalle navorsing op, of die gebruik van embrionale selle behels. Die rede waarom baie mense van mening is dat dit moreel problematies is om embrionale weefsel vir navorsing enlofterapeutiese doeleindes te gebruik, is omdat embrionale selle die potensiaal het om te ontwikkel tot volwaardige persone. Dit is egter ook hierdie eienskap van hierdie selle wat hulle so geskik maak vir terapeutiese doeleindes: Omdat sekere tipes stamselle, veral stamselle wat verkry word van embrio's wat in 'n vroeë stadium van ontwikkeling verkeer, nog nie gedifferensieer is wat seltipe betrefnie, kan hulle gebruik word om enige seltipe in die liggaam van 'n persoon met 'n verenigbare weefseltipe te herstel. Die rede hiervoor is dat ongedifferensieerde stamselle die potensiaal het om in enige seltipe wat in die menslike liggaam voorkom, te verander. Die vraag wat ontstaan wanneer daar besluit moet word oor die morele aanvaarbaarheid van hierdie terapieë, is of daar gesê kan word dat 'n reeds bestaande persoon wat siek is, 'n hoër morele status sou hê as 'n embrio. Die enigste manier waarop die gebruik van embrionale selle moreel regverdigbaar sou wees, sou dus wees indien daar bewys kan word dat die morele status van 'n embrio nie gelykstaande is aan die morele status van 'n persoon nie. Die ander belangrike oorweging wat in ag geneem moet word wanneer die morele aanvaarbaarheid van hierdie terapieë beoordeel moet word, is dat dit moontlik is om stamselle te verkry uit 'n verskeidenheid bronne. Sommige van hierdie bronne van stamselle is moreel minder kontroversieel as ander. Die bespreking van die morele problematiek rondom die gebruik van embrionale weefsel VIr terapeutiese doeleindes in hierdie tesis, sal dus tot 'n groot mate fokus op die bepaling van die morele status van die embrio. Die verskillende standpunte oor die morele status van die embrio sal bespreek word in die lig van argumente vir, sowel as teen die gebruik van embrionale weefsel vir terapeutiese doeleindes. Daar salook 'n verduideliking gegee word van watter tipe terapieë waarvoor die gebruik van embrionale weefsel nodig sou wees, tans en in die toekoms moontlik sou wees. Die potensiële baat wat siek persone uit hierdie terapieë sou kon vind, sou moontlik ook as 'n regverdiging vir die vernietiging van embrio's vir terapeutiese doeleindes kon dien. Die uiteindelike doel van hierdie tesis is om moreel regverdigbare redes te kan gee vir die terapeutiese gebruik van embrionale weefsel. Die spesifieke voorwaardes wat nagekom sou moes word om hierdie terapieë moreel regverdigbaar te maak, salook verduidelik word.

L’investissement éthique est un investissement fondé sur des critères extra-financiers : l’investisseur cherche un enrichissement tout en poursuivant une fin non matérielle tirée du respect de certaines valeurs La coloration éthique a vocation à rejaillir sur le régime de cet investissement. Elle dicte le contenu de la politique d’investissement, oblige les intermédiaires financiers à informer les investisseurs de manière adéquate, et les contraint à veiller à la conformité éthique de l’investissement jusqu’à son dénouement.L’investissement éthique ne saurait toutefois se limiter à cela. Adoptant une démarche conséquentialiste, les investisseurs peuvent s’engager auprès des émetteurs pour y défendre leurs valeurs. D’un point de vue théorique, cet activisme actionnarial met en lumière l’échec des thèses traditionnelles à définir la finalité des sociétés. Plutôt que de raisonner en termes d’intérêt social, il conviendrait à présent de recourir à la Stakeholder Theory. / Ethical investment is based on non-financial criteria: the investor expects a return on the investment while pursuing a non-material objective, based on the respect of certain values. Ethics bring a nuance, which impacts the set of rules for this type of investment. It establishes the content of the investment policy and requires financial intermediaries to inform investors adequately. It also forces them to ensure ethical compliance of the investment to its ending. Ethical investment, however, is not limited to this. By adopting a consequentialist approach, investors can engage with issuers to defend their values. From a theoretical point of view, this shareholder activism highlights the failure of traditional theories to define the purpose of companies. Because the concept of “intérêt social”, which the French doctrine struggles to define, leads to a deadlock, a cross-disciplinary approach, the Stakeholder Theory, should be preferred.

<p>This study focuses on ecofeminist ethical theory. A first aim is to clarify ecofeminist views on five central issues in the field of environmental ethics. These issues are: (1) Views of nature, (2) social constructivism and nature, (3) values of nature, (4) ethical contextualism, and (5) ethical pluralism. A second aim is to compare ecofeminist standpoints with certain standpoints within nonfeminist environmental ethical theory. A third aim is to critically discuss some of the main standpoints in ecofeminism. The analysis focuses on the works of Karen Warren, Sallie McFague, Chris Cuomo, and Carolyn Merchant. Other important sources are the environmental philosophers and ethicists J. Baird Callicott, Paul Taylor, Irene Klaver, Bryan G. Norton, Christopher Stone, Eugene Hargrove, Holmes Rolston III, Per Ariansen, Don E. Marietta, and Bruno Latour.</p><p>The result of this study is that there are no main differences between ecofeminism and nonfeminist environmental ethics regarding the main standpoints on the five issues. Rather, the significant differences are found within these main standpoints. In addition, one important characteristic of ecofeminist ethics is its "double nature," that is, the fact that it is rooted in feminism and environmentalism. The double nature of ecofeminism results in a foundation out of which ecofeminism as an environmental philosophy has a unique potential to handle some of the theoretical tensions that environmental ethics creates.</p><p>From the perspective that environmental problems consist of complex clusters of natureculture- discourse and that environmental ethical theory ought to be action guiding, it is argued that ecofeminist ethical theory has an advantage compared to nonfeminist environmental ethics. This standpoint is explained by the fact that ecofeminism holds a variety of views of nature, kinds of social constructivism and contextualism, and conceptions of values and of the self, and from the presumption that this variety reflects the reality of environmental problems. However, in order for ecofeminist ethical theory to fulfill its promise as an acceptable environmental ethical theory, its theoretical standpoints ought to be explicated and further clarified.</p>

This study focuses on ecofeminist ethical theory. A first aim is to clarify ecofeminist views on five central issues in the field of environmental ethics. These issues are: (1) Views of nature, (2) social constructivism and nature, (3) values of nature, (4) ethical contextualism, and (5) ethical pluralism. A second aim is to compare ecofeminist standpoints with certain standpoints within nonfeminist environmental ethical theory. A third aim is to critically discuss some of the main standpoints in ecofeminism. The analysis focuses on the works of Karen Warren, Sallie McFague, Chris Cuomo, and Carolyn Merchant. Other important sources are the environmental philosophers and ethicists J. Baird Callicott, Paul Taylor, Irene Klaver, Bryan G. Norton, Christopher Stone, Eugene Hargrove, Holmes Rolston III, Per Ariansen, Don E. Marietta, and Bruno Latour. The result of this study is that there are no main differences between ecofeminism and nonfeminist environmental ethics regarding the main standpoints on the five issues. Rather, the significant differences are found within these main standpoints. In addition, one important characteristic of ecofeminist ethics is its "double nature," that is, the fact that it is rooted in feminism and environmentalism. The double nature of ecofeminism results in a foundation out of which ecofeminism as an environmental philosophy has a unique potential to handle some of the theoretical tensions that environmental ethics creates. From the perspective that environmental problems consist of complex clusters of natureculture- discourse and that environmental ethical theory ought to be action guiding, it is argued that ecofeminist ethical theory has an advantage compared to nonfeminist environmental ethics. This standpoint is explained by the fact that ecofeminism holds a variety of views of nature, kinds of social constructivism and contextualism, and conceptions of values and of the self, and from the presumption that this variety reflects the reality of environmental problems. However, in order for ecofeminist ethical theory to fulfill its promise as an acceptable environmental ethical theory, its theoretical standpoints ought to be explicated and further clarified.

AIDS has had a negative impact on developing countries. Because most developing countries cannot afford the new antiretroviral drug therapies, it has been suggested that preventive vaccines might reduce the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic (Bloom, 1998). The clinical trials of AIDS vaccines do, however, present with complex ethical issues such as informed consent. Informed consent is primarily grounded on the Western principle of respect for individuals as autonomous agents. This may be at variance, however, with African societies' emphasis on the social embeddedness of the individual. The current study forms part of the HIVNET vaccine trials to be conducted in Hlabisa, in Northern Zululand, under the auspices of the South African Medical Research Council. The main aim of the study was to explore key informants' cultural conceptions of research and informed consent in order to facilitate community consultation and cultural sensitivity. Maximum variation sampling was used to select twenty-three key informants, who are in leadership positions within Hlabisa. An interview guide was used to facilitate narrative disclosure of cultural conceptions of research and informed consent. Perceptions of research, conceptions of the informed consent process, and projected motivations for why individuals agree to participate in studies were explored during interviews. Results suggest that members of the Hlabisa community have a limited understanding of the Western research process. Community education about research is therefore warranted. Informants indicated that community members would value the establishment of a relationship characterised by mutual respect for cultural differences between researchers and participants. This was perceived as likely to facilitate shared decision-making, and the reduction of the power differentials that exist between researchers and participants. While the involvement of key community leaders and family members was recommended by most informants, a few informants felt that participants could also make individual decisions about participation. The theoretical implications of the study are considered last. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

In order to illustrate why museums are frequently sites of conflict and mediation, this dissertation examines the complex conditions under which knowledge is produced and disseminated at three Canadian museums. Approaching museums as social arenas or contact zones, the dissertation exposes power struggles in museums and dislodges a whole set of assumptions about what museums are and how they function. For the study I selected the following museums with anthropological mandates: MacBride Museum (Whitehorse), Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (Yellowknife), and Vancouver Museum (Vancouver). The three museums were chosen because their geographical proximity to large communities of Aboriginal Peoples enabled an exploration of the changing relationships between them. Historically, museums have held the power to classify and define Aboriginal Peoples. Relatively recently, however Aboriginal Peoples have in various ways (by imposing constraints on how they and their cultures are exhibited, and through land claims and repatriation requests) been challenging their historic relationships with museums. In chapter one I discuss my objectives, methodology, and the work of those scholars who shaped this dissertation. Chapter two explores the invention of museums in the western world and begins linking the three Canadian museums with knowledge and power. In chapters three, four, and five I portray the mobility and productivity of three museums (MacBride Museum, PWNHC, and Vancouver Museum) in three distinct regions of Canada. I illustrate their ability to articulate identity, power, and tradition as well as the role they perform in the social organization of power relations. Each chapter begins with a description of the historical roots of power relations at each institution. This leads into a discussion of each museum's present system of authority: the state, governing bodies, professional staff and, increasingly, Aboriginal representatives. In the process I reveal some of the political pressures, institutional hierarchies, and personal conflicts that shape knowledge within these institutions. Chapter six is a review and critical analysis of systems of authority of the three museums and the challenges presented by Aboriginal Peoples. I conclude with the issues raised at the outset, which continue to confront the Canadian museum community, issues of inclusion and the limitations of cross-cultural translation, repatriation, and representation.

The text deconstructs notions of ideal community which, while affinning irmnediate proximate human relations, effectiveiy disaffirms and thus devalues those mediated over distance and time. It argues against such social ontologies as the basis of what should constitute ideal consociality. In place of the idealized notions of community critiqued, the work elaborates an ontological ethics of responsibility as a basis for conceptualizing ethical relations. The text grounds its ethic in what is proffered to be humankind's ontological relatedness to the other, regardless of the nature (human or nonhuman) or proximity (face-to-face or nonface-to-face) of that other. Moreover, the text sets forth the importance of humankind developing a sense of this ontological relatedness. The work discusses this sense-of-relatedness from three perspectives. First, it elaborates a philosophic naturalism to establish in humankind an ontological basis for ethical relations. Second, it claims that humankind is in the world, existentially, who and what it understands itself to be with respect to the depth with which it apprehends a sense of its ontological relatedness to all that there is. Third, it argues that this sense-ofrelatedness may be understood as a religious sensibility. / Religious Studies / M.Th. (Religious Studies)

Ethics was identified by the Ethiopian government as one of the areas requiring attention and was made an integral part of the ongoing Civil Service Reform Program since 1996. Despite the reform efforts that have been going on for about two decades, no rigorous academic and empirical research has been conducted to understand the nature and depth of the problems. Moreover, the theoretical discourses in the general literature and the national efforts made by the government and its development partners also emphasize on the structural and procedural issues of ethics, giving little focus to the behavioural components or dimensions of ethics of civil servants. The purpose of this study was to investigate and critically analyse the nature and dynamics of work ethics in the Ethiopian civil service; and to assess the ethical environment within which the public sector operates in the country. Mixed research method was applied. Questionnaires were used to collect primary quantitative data from two groups of research participants – civil servants and the service users; whereas primary qualitative data were collected employing in-depth interviews from managers and key experts in the field. Data from secondary sources were also used. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive analysis. The qualitative ones were analysed using the qualitative data analysis technique with the emphasis on the phenomenological approach. The study showed that there is clearly growing awareness of ethical challenges within the civil service, though a fundamental change in the ethical conduct of the employees is not yet realized. It is also found out that there is no problem of legislation and policy frameworks; rather the problem lies in the weak implementation and enforcement of them. Leadership behaviour, absence of strong institutions, poor accountability system, poor remuneration and politicization of the civil service were identified as the biggest challenges to foster ethical conduct. Accordingly, it is suggested that the government play a key role in addressing the problems that hamper the effective implementation of the reform efforts. Other stakeholders such as the civic society organizations, religious institutions, the private sector, schools and the general public should also work closely with the government. Ensuring ethical conduct requires synergy of all actors, ranging from ordinary citizens to high-level decision-making bodies. / Business Management / D.B.L.

Thesis examines ethical problems and dilemmas encountered by social workers at AKORD social welfare institution for persons with mental and combined disabilities. First part contains definitions of mental disability, combined disabilities; reports on social services and introduces AKORD social welfare institution. Principal part of the thesis defines five ethical problems and dilemmas and presents research results. Following part focuses on solving ethically difficult situations and application of ethical theories on example of ethical problem. Final chapter summarizes new findings and recommended solutions.