Help me with my schoolwork (involving ethical dilemma)?

It’s not that complicated, relax :). You have to point out what could arise which means that it doesn’t have to, in the end. Every researcher has biases and, for example, if you yourself have a history of overeating or feel negatively towards those who do, studying them objectively is probably not going to happen and that’s an ethical dilemma. If you think smokers should have no rights, studying them poses an ethical dilemma because you should feel neutral, etc.

@Simone_De_Beauvoir “Relax” doesn’t seem to be in my vocabulary, but I’ll try! I was leaning toward that train of thought too, but I thought my instructor wanted us to find ethical dilemma within the subject themselves, and that doesn’t make much sense to me. Another person in my class asked about it as well, and my instructor said “You would describe any ethical dilemmas that result from the behavior itself. You are discussing the behavior and the person engaged in the behavior throughout the paper.” So I’m confused…

For one thing, observing a behavior or action that you know or strongly feel will result in harm for the subject or some other participant / victim and doing nothing to change that could be an ethical dilemma. You want to make unbiased observations and record data exactly as it occurs, which is “good science”, but on a personal level you may also want to help or avert what seems like a bad outcome and which you might otherwise try to prevent.

Journalists have this problem frequently, which is why a lot of people react badly to news photos: “How could that guy just stand there with a camera when he could have prevented that death?” for example.

@WasCy I could certainly write about that, no problem. See my response to @Simone_De_Beauvoir

@Facade Well, that’s interesting and kind of pointless in that you’re doing a reading of another person’s dilemma which makes it even less likely to be correct but whatever..I suppose they can have an ethical dilemma if, for example, they are smokers and know they should quit for the health of their loved ones or kids (who inhale second hand smoke) but can’t because their addiction is too strong. Or if they overeat and are in charge of a support group for overeaters, they’re exhibiting hypocritical behavior.

@Simone_De_Beauvoir Yep, that’s why I’m like wtf?! I see what you’re saying with that, but wouldn’t me making up some scenario deviate from my assignment since I’m supposed to be going off my observations of someone in my social circle? I know plenty of people who smoke/drink/overeat, but the only ethical dilemma I see is that what they’re doing is bad for them. I hate open-ended assignments like this. I never know what to do…

Sometimes another ethical dilemma opens up when you try to wear two hats that have conflicting requirements.

For example, a doctor has a responsibility to treat patients and to maintain confidentiality, but a physician acting as a researcher might not have the same treatment and confidentiality rules.

@Facade If you see no dilemmas arise, you say none did. You just want to ponder whether there could be one. Also, you thinking that it’s an ethical dilemma that they do these ‘bad things’ is a perfect example of your bias, as a researcher.

@Simone_De_Beauvoir Yes, I see that, but the instructions don’t seem to ask for what ethical dilemmas I could encounter as a counselor or researcher, they seem to only be regarding the subject, which doesn’t make any sense!!

This paper is due today, and I’m tempted to just write it as I understand the instructions to be, but I don’t want to get points taken off for me not following the instructions.

If there is a dilemma for the subjects, maybe it is that if they are overweight it is likely they will cost society more money to help pay for their diabetes drugs, and their knee and hip replacements? Smokers their cancers, and also adding more pollution into the air for others to breath. Passive aggressive can lead to strife and discord in relationships.

@JLeslie But are those things ethical dilemmas? It’s hard to say…

I think I’ve just decided to just go with what most people I’ve talked to have said– Address any possible ethical dilemma that could arise.

Thanks you guys for helping calm my neurotic mind =) You guys are great!

I think so. But, I don’t feel sure I know what your prof is looking for, it’s just what popped into my head. Good luck with your assignment, hope you get an A :).

I think most people who do those behaviors don’t think about it as an ethical delemma though, or don’t care about the impact on others. But, objectively there usually is some impact. It’s like a mom who smokes around her children, I don’t think the word “ethical” comes to her mind, but one could argue it is unethical to subject her children to the smoke. That she has a moral responsibility to care for her children, and smoking has been proven to have negative affects. Not that I am trying to convince you, go with your gut, i am not in your class, not in on the lectures thus far. I am just expanding on my thought process. Interesting question, let us know what the prof says.

@JLeslie I’m sure I’ll just get a generic answer from her, but I’ll post her response here. Thanks for your input!

Update: She never answered, but I just turned it in anyway. Bah!