“Ethics is knowing the difference
between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.” (Potter Stewart).
When presented with the conflict in making decisions based on ethics or based
on the fact that something was given as instruction by an authority figure it’s
not always an easy call. I have some personal experience within as well as the
knowledge gained studying Milgram Experiment. We may like to automatically say
that we will always choose the ethical decision, but in reality when we’re
threatened by authority the decision isn’t always easily made.
The Milgram Experiment in 1963
was an experiment that challenged “…how far people would go in obeying an
instruction if it involved harming another person.” (Saul McLeod 2007). In end
the results of this experiment were pretty astonishing. Two thirds of
participants who were the “teachers” administered the highest level of volts
(450) to the participants, and all participants continued to 300 volts. This
experiment concluded that people that “Ordinary people are likely to follow
orders given by an authority figure, even to the extent of killing and innocent
human being.” (Saul McLeod 2007). Mr. McLeod further explains that people
mostly obey orders which are given by other people if they’re able to recognize
that individual is an authority figure and is morally right and legally
based.
In order to explain my own
encounters with the challenge of taking orders based on authority or ethics I
must further explain ethics. Ethics are defined as being “a system of moral
principles”. (Dictionary.com, LLC
(2012) Morals are built on a person’s culture, religion, relationships, and self-value.
Ethics are things that we discover as we grow and develop. We are not born with
a set of understood ethics, we are taught ethics, and overtime we chose what
ethics we want to use. Ethics don’t define a person; however they do shine
light onto the characteristics of a person and the way they chose to live their
life.
Ethics
assist in the development of our everyday choices and decisions. There are
different environments which require different ethical decisions. According to
Corey G., Corey, M.S., Callanan, P. (2005) we have three primary ethical
models. They consist of social ethics, professional ethics, and personal
ethics. We surround ourselves in these environments on a daily basis. Without a
clear understanding out our ethical decisions in each environment creates
uncertainty and doubt in us and our values. Having a clear understanding of our
ethics in each environment creates confidence and assurance in us and our
decisions.
While
serving in the United States Army Reserves as a Military Police woman I
encountered several instances in which I was asked to do things that I normally
wouldn’t do as a part of my profession for the common good of the cause. The
American Counseling Association (2005) reported that for professional
organizations it’s important to articulate “standards of practice” for the
overall work community. This was a way to express a collective system of values
for professionals. I think is important to study and keep in mind while in
professional environments.
While
serving in Afghanistan for the War on Terrorism, I was asked to do things that
I was often uncomfortable with and questioned. While I may not have liked and
always agreed with what was asked of me, I committed to my instructions as long
as they were supported for a greater good, and stayed within the limits of
clear and ethical orders. As an interrogator we used several different methods
and processes in order to gather valuable intelligence to better support the
American troops in the fight against terrorism. One order that I was given made
me really question the ethical choices involved. I fought with this order for
about three days before accepting the mission.
I
was asked to appear as though I was befriending certain detainees within a
certain terrorist organization and convince them that I was converting to the
Muslim faith. This order was one that I had never thought about, and had no
idea how to approach the matter. This went against everything I stood for
personally and socially. I am a strong Christian woman who often speaks of my
religion and allows others to know how bonded to God I am. I also didn’t like
the idea of “befriending” a detained terrorist. These were people who had cases
that I knew of and disagreed with. When I thought of my profession and my job,
I understood that I would be surrounded by these people, but I never considered
what extent may be needed for necessary information. After convincing myself
that I wasn’t going to be able to follow through with this order I began to
consider my professional ethics. I had to remember why I was there. Why I
offered to be a member of this force. Why I joined a certain profession. I had
to consider the physical and mental damage I would do to myself as well as to
the others who were involved. With all of these questions surrounding me I
began to reconsider my decision. No one was being physically harmed. While I
may have appeared to a different style, my God and I still knew what and who I
was true to. I joined the United States Army Reserves to serve and to assist
our nation. I joined the military police force to serve, protect, and defend.
The information we needed was important to the overall mission’s success. I was
a small puzzle piece in a very large complex puzzle. While I still struggle
with the decision I made, I feel confident that I made the right ethical
decision for myself and my comrades.
Ethics
aren’t always decisions that come easily. There isn’t always a clear cut black
and white answer to everything that life presents us. The American Counseling
Association (2005) created an aim to five main purposes. They are to “clarify
ethical responsibilities for counseling professionals, help support the mission
of the association, establish principles that define ethical behavior and best
practices, serve as an ethical guide to assist counselors construct a
professional course of action, and handle ethical complaints initiated against
counseling professionals”. With this guideline I feel that we can better assist
those struggling with ethical decisions and choices. Together we can build a
community of knowledgeable and confident people. Through strong relationships
with culture, religion, relationships, and ourselves we are able to make strong
ethical decisions.
Reference
American
Counseling Association. (2005). ACA Code
of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author
Corey,
G., Corey, M.S., Callanan, P. (2005). An
Approach to Teaching Ethics Courses in Human Services and Counseling.
Saul
McLeod. (2007). The Milgram Experiment. Retrieved
from http://www.simplypsychology.org/milgram.html
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