Transcript Topic 3: The OnO Rule

TOPIC 3:
THE ONO RULE
DO PROFESSIONALS HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO
DO THE RIGHT THING IN THEIR JOBS?
• To answer this question, society has agreed upon a
rule: Opportunity + Need = Obligation
• ONO
• Opportunity
• Need
• Obligation
• “To Whom much is Given, Much is
expected/Required”
• This means that if we give you an important job with lots
of benefits, we expect more out of you. (If a
company’s product is bad, we blame the Manager,
not the worker)
OPPORTUNITY
•Opportunities exist because
professionals have special training
and skills.
• For example, I will not have the same
opportunity to save a drowning child as a
Lifeguard would have. The lifeguard has
special training and skills to handle the
situation that I do not have.
OPPORTUNITY
• For there to be an opportunity, the Professionals must have:
• Expertise (Experience)
• Knowledge
• Skills
• Must also have:
•
•
•
•
Resources
Time
$$$$
Freedom
• Expertise + Resources makes opportunity. Remember, if you have the skills,
but not the time or $$$$, then there is no opportunity.
PRACTICE: QUESTION 1
• In the past, you went to college and got a degree in Business
Management. You are now the teacher for a class of Senior College
Students. You teach Business Management. A student comes to you and
says that he is studying for a Chemistry Exam and he really needs your help.
Is this a good OPPORTUNITY for you to help him as a professional?
• You are the owner of a small lawyer’s office. You have a lot of money in a
bank account set aside only to be used to help the poor clients. You also
have a lot of time free right now because your co-worker is handling all the
cases. A poor client comes and asks for your help with a lawsuit. Is this a
good OPPORTUNITY for you to help him as a professional?
GENUINE NEEDS
• There must not only be an opportunity for the professional to help,
there must also be a Genuine Need for their help.
• A profession is something that satisfies a
need of society. The question then is, what
counts as a “genuine” or ‘important need?”
• The more immediate or vital a need is, the
more likely it is that there is a genuine need.
NEED
• Biological Needs: most basic: health, food, water,
shelter (doctor)
• Purpose of Life Needs: assist as you pursue what
gives meaning/purpose to your life (teacher,
counselor)
• Lifestyle Requirements: necessary for living in your
society (car, telephone)
• Luxuries: wants, desires if all other 3 are filled (DVD
collection)
PRACTICE: WHAT NEEDS DO THESE
JOBS SATISFY AND IN WHAT
CATEGORY DOES THAT NEED FALL?
• Electrician (1)
• Car Salesman (2)
• Music Teacher (3)
• Furniture Salesman (4)
• Movie Producer (5)
• Financial Adviser (6)
OBLIGATION
•Because they have the
opportunity, and the people need
their help, professionals are
obligated to meet the needs.
ONO
• “Professionals have more OPPORTUNITY
than other folks because of their special
skills, and exposure to genuine NEED in
society – therefore, they have moral
OBLIGATIONS to help meet those genuine
NEEDS.
Are These Jobs Professions?
• Computer Engineer (1)
• Chinese Pop Singer (2)
• Dentist (3)
• Firefighter (4)
• Astronaut (5)
• Photographer (6)
• Journalist (7)
• Flight Attendant (1)
• Nurse (2)
• Book Writer (3)
• Secretary (4)
• Fashion Designer (5)
• Business Manager (6)
• Architect (7)
HOW TO MAKE AN ETHICAL
DECISION: ETHICAL TOOLBOX
• 2 Levels:
• Level 1 –
• Cognitive Elements
• Have Facts, Knowledge
• Non-Cognitive Elements
• Clear and Open Mind
• Controlled Emotions
ETHICAL TOOLBOX
•Level 2 –
• 3 Elements:
• Decide what is right
• Be motivated to do what is right
• Have the appropriate emotional
Response