CMU Academic Year: 2009-2010

HU 127HUMAN COMMUNICATION Lecturer: NORNG SOKHA

WORKSHEET CHAPTER 7
I. KEY TERMS Supply each of the following words or phrases in the box into the appropriate gap. A. utilitarian D. disclosures G. golden mean B. theory of justice E. ethical principles H. accusation C. whistleblowing F. categorical imperative I. leaking J. lying

We explored ethical decision making in communication. To establish a baseline for discussion, we considered some representative (1) . that have been proposed by Western thinkers. We examined Aristotle's concept of the (2) ., a middle path between two extremes. In Kant's (3) , we saw human actions judged as ethical by their intent rather than their outcomes. In the (4) .. view, on the other hand, greatest value was placed on the outcomes or consequences of our actions, with moral choice being governed by the greatest good for the greatest number of people. And in Rawls's (5) . the guiding principle was fairness for everyone in society, including the most vulnerable. We then turned to several fundamental issues in ethics. We discussed lying as well as the reasons often given to defend lying-for example, (6) to avoid harm or to protect another person. Next, we examined questions about the ethics of secrecy, (7) , and rights of privacy, both in public and personal life. We examined as well the ethical questions raised by the increasing use of computer-mediated communication. Finally, we looked at the complex issues of (8) , in which a group member makes an (9) .. about the violation of ethical standards within the group itself, and of (10) .. information, in which the source of information remains anonymous. As we have tried to show, difficult ethical questions surface not just in organizational, public, mass, and computer-mediated communication but in the most informal and intimate contexts. Ethics are not lofty principles for other people; we are all involved in making moral choices-often on a daily basis.
II. MULTIPLE CHOICES Choose the best choice among each of the following alternatives. 1. The "golden mean" A) was developed by Socrates. B) can be applied across the board to all behaviors. C) refers to the middle path between excess and deficiency. D) is described by all of the above. 2. "An obligation to act that is absolute, with no exceptions" is the definition of 1

CMU Academic Year: 2009-2010

HU 127HUMAN COMMUNICATION Lecturer: NORNG SOKHA

A) Aristotle's "golden mean." B) Socrates' "golden mean." C) Kant's "categorical imperative." D) John Stuart Mill's "utilitarianism." 3. With which statement would Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill disagree? A) We should seek the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. B) To achieve happiness, we should seek pleasure and avoid pain. C) Outcomes are important because we are concerned with political and social reform. D) Our motivations and morality are more important than the result of our decisions. 4. The purpose of Rawl's "veil of ignorance" is to A) make it easier for us to protect the weaker party. B) free ourselves of bias and self-interest. C) prevent groups from banding together to form coalitions. D) achieve all of the above. 5. The authors discuss ________as an important social consequence of lying. A) revenge and violence in the workplace B) road rage C) distrust of politicians and the media D) a widening generation gap 6. Which of these is NOT a motive for lying reported by Bok? A) to avoid harm B) for the sake of fairness C) to gain revenge D) to produce some benefit 7. A physician has diagnosed a patient with terminal cancer but fears that the news will be psychologically devastating. Which kind of advice is the most accurate? A) Kant would say that these circumstances would permit withholding the truth. B) A utilitarian would state that the information should be withheld, because it would help the patient avoid pain. C) Aristotle would claim that the patient should be told everything because a lie is never justified. D) Bok would claim that this incident would be beyond the area typically considered by ethicists. 8. What is Bok's opinion about white lies? A) They are virtually harmless. B) They may have a short-term benefit. C) They are not harmless and may necessitate more lies later. D) They are harmless except in cases where someone is directly harmed. 9. Which statement best describes hate sites? A) There are over 2,000 of them, and they continue to increase in number. B) They may provide false information and also incite violence. C) A few of the larger ones are actually FBI stings. D) Protecting the anonymity of those who log on is not a priority. 10. The authors discuss a number of areas where disclosure of true information involves an ethical decision. Which of these areas was not mentioned? A) A biography that disclosed personal information about a public figure. B) A troubled teen confides to a peer about wanting to kill his schoolmates. C) A journalist includes information from a source who wants to remain anonymous. D) A lawyer hears a confession from his client whom he is defending in court. 11. Concerning the disclosure of truth, two conflicting rights discussed in this chapter are A) the right to know and the right to privacy. B) the right to privacy and the right to a fair trial. C) the right to privacy and the right of free speech. D) the right of free speech and the right to a fair trial. 2

CMU Academic Year: 2009-2010

HU 127HUMAN COMMUNICATION Lecturer: NORNG SOKHA

12. "Cookies" are A) a type of biography that discloses secret aspects of the life of a public figure. B) the actions of a whistleblower. C) the kind of information that may cause a criminal prosecution when disclosed. D) files that a website can use to track a visitor's preferences. 13. Which of the following is an incorrect description of a whistleblower? A) He possesses valuable inside information. B) What she does may be considered a breach of loyalty. C) He wrongly attempts to protect certain individuals within a group. D) She tries to cast light on an abuse or alert the public to a problem. 14. Which of these is NOT a possible consequence of whistleblowing? A) The whistleblower loses his job. B) The whistleblower gets lots of media attention and possibly a film made of her story. C) The whistleblower may be awarded a considerable sum of money for disclosing inside information. D) The whistleblower may be sued for invasion of privacy. 15. A leak involves A) the media and a source who is anonymous to the general public. B) A disgruntled whistleblower and a lawyer. C) A person with inside knowledge who has a grudge against a coworker. D) A government worker who breaks his contract by disclosing confidential information. 16. Ethics is the study of the general nature of morals and the specific choices that an individual makes. A) True B) False 17. Lying ranges from intentional deception to leaving out information. A) True B) False 18. There have been times when governmental decisions about deception were later justified as being in the interest of national security. A) True B) False 19. Another ethical issue discussed in this chapter is the disclosure of truth. A) True B) False 20. Technology has actually decreased the potential for invasion of privacy and disclosing information inappropriately. A) True B) False III. ESSAY QUESTIONS 1. Give your definition of ethics. 2. What is Aristotles concept of the Golden Mean, and what is its implication for ethical choices? Give two examples. 3. Explain Kants principle of the categorical imperative. 4. Discuss the basic ethical principle of the utilitarians on making decisions about ethics. 5. What are the four principles people often appeal to in defending lies? 6. What are the types of lie? Briefly explain each one. 7. Identify three elements that are present in whistleblowing, and give two examples of it. 8. What is the different between whistleblowing and leaking information? 3