7/29/2019 14 Unit 8 Ethics
1/2
Jeff Brown
Michelle Pultoraks Class
CO2520T
Aug. 20, 2013
Ethics Statement Unit 8 Assignment
I believe Ethical communication to be the art of transmitting
information, ideas and attitudes from
one person to another. Communication is the process of
meaningful interaction among human beings.
A communicator is morally responsible for telling the truth and
for the social consequences that
result if the truth is not told. This critical statement is
meant to include not only our words but all the
nonverbals as well. He tells a lie who has one thing in his mind
and says something else by words or by
any signs whatsoever. (St. Augustine) Now I think that is right
on, even for someone from so long ago.
To some moral philosophers the natural end of speech is to
communicate our thoughts, and a lie is evil
because it frustrates the very end and purpose of speech. Being
honest and fair to the facts are obvious
moral obligations. We must play by the game rules and obey the
law. I picked up on this when I read
from my favorite book, Games people play. Using outright lies,
manufactured facts, and dirty tricks
are clearly unethical.
Here we encounter some problems. Prudence is a virtue. Can the
ethical person be honest without
being unkind? Can he or she be both tactful and forthright? Are
some broad mental reservations allowed?
I dont know for sure, but in the same way that a defendant
pleads not guilty, or a doctor, questioned
about professional secrets, replies I dont know. Yes, they say,
because they were afraid!
That leads to my main point. Fear / shame! I think of them as
both brothers of wrong doing.
And they prove to be very good at their job.
When we are faced with asking what is the right way or the best
way to communicate in a given
situation, we are dealing with the ethics of communication. If
we seek to escape or ignore these questions,
we have made a clear ethical choice.
7/29/2019 14 Unit 8 Ethics
2/2
Jeff Brown
Michelle Pultoraks Class
CO2520T
Aug. 20, 2013
Consider these important questions about communication ethics:
Is it ever appropriate to lie to
someone? Should you confront a speaker in a public setting if
you know his or her argument relies on
false or misused information? Is it wise to tell your best
friend that his partner is cheating on him? Should
your campus allow all groups, even hate groups, to speak freely
on campus? What is the best way to
respond to a university employee who becomes verbally abusive
when you ask to speak to her manager?
Making these and other decisions about
what is the right or appropriate communication in a given
situation requires considerable wisdom and
skill and makes communication even more complex!
Source:
Aslanian, C. B. 1996. Adult learning in America: Why and how
adults go back to
school. Washington, DC: Office of Adult Learning Services, the
College Board.
Astin, A. W. 1985. and Human Communication in Society, by: Jess
K. Alberts.
