Title: Ethicist’s Advice: Handling a Reckless Intern and Ethical Dilemma in Education
Summary:
The ethicist responds to two separate questions in this article. In the first scenario, a professional services firm has an intern who is doing well in their job but has a hobby of street racing. The author questions whether they should report the intern’s behavior to human resources or stay quiet. The ethicist advises that while reporting may seem like treason, it is essential to let the intern know about the potential dangers and consequences of their actions. By remaining silent, the author may inadvertently condone the behavior and put others at risk.
In the second scenario, a language professor at a community college faces a dilemma where proficient students enroll in the class but only show up for tests, fueled by word-of-mouth knowledge. The administration is aware of this practice, and while it benefits them financially and enables smaller classes, it raises ethical concerns. The ethicist argues that by allowing students to pass without attending class, the professor and administration undermine the core principles of education. The value of active participation and conversations with competent speakers is disregarded, and qualifications may be misleading for potential employers.
Engaging Additional Piece:
Expanding on the topic of ethical dilemmas in education, it is crucial to consider the long-term impact of such practices. While the administration may see financial benefits and smaller class sizes as positive outcomes, they fail to recognize the fundamental purpose of education. Education is not merely about passing tests and acquiring degrees; it is about fostering critical thinking, fostering curiosity, and providing a holistic learning experience.
When students are allowed to bypass the learning process and still receive good grades, the true essence of education is compromised. It sends a message that effort and active engagement are not necessary for success. This can lead to a devaluation of knowledge and skills, where credentials become mere tokens rather than representations of real learning.
Furthermore, in this age of hyper-competition and increasing emphasis on academic qualifications, students who genuinely invest time and effort into their education may face unfair disadvantages. They may be overshadowed by individuals who possess good grades but lack the actual knowledge and competence required for the field.
In the pursuit of ethical education, it is crucial for professors, administrators, and institutions to prioritize quality over quantity. Rather than compromising standards and enabling shortcuts, the focus should be on creating an engaging and enriching learning environment. This includes providing support to struggling students, promoting active participation, and fostering a genuine love for knowledge.
Education should equip individuals with the necessary tools to navigate real-world challenges and contribute meaningfully to society. By upholding ethical values in education, we not only empower students to reach their fullest potential but also ensure the integrity and value of educational qualifications for all.
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Our professional services firm has an intern for the summer who, by all indications, seems to be doing a good job. Arrive early, stay late if necessary, and show that you are genuinely interested in what we offer our clients. This person is interested in a full-time position with the company.
I was recently having a casual conversation with him and he mentioned his hobby of fixing cars and then racing them on public roads. He boasted that they frequently reach top speeds of more than 130 mph, but claimed that such driving is safe because they do so only when the road is empty.
If it became known at our firm that he violated speeding laws in this manner, I suspect his chances of getting a full-time offer would be seriously affected; Like most companies, we value our reputation. If he was caught speeding at that rate, one could reasonably expect him to end up in the news.
I am struggling with what to do. Do I need to report this behavior to human resources so we can take it into account when deciding whether to make a job offer? Should I just keep quiet and hope for the best and let you be evaluated solely on your work at our company? Should I go up to him and tell him that he is risking his life, and possibly the lives of others, and suggest that if he wants to keep racing, he should do it on a closed track? — Name withheld
From the ethicist:
Because he told her of his reckless behavior in a moment of friendly collegiality, reporting it would be treasonous. But you do need to let him know what you think. If you don’t say anything, he might infer that you tolerate the hobby, which could encourage him to continue with it. You will have done nothing to protect unsuspecting strangers from the dangers this activity poses. He also will not have protected you from risking his position at the company and elsewhere if what he is doing makes news. Using public roads as a racing circuit is a good way to not get anywhere fast.
Thoughts? If you would like to share an answer to today’s dilemma with the ethicist and other subscribers in the next newsletter, please complete this form.
one extra question
I teach a language at a community college. There has been little demand for my subject, and unless there is, no classes are offered. Recently, students proficient in the language have enrolled, knowing by word of mouth that as long as they take and pass tests, they do not need to show up for class. The administration is aware of this (classes are evaluated in person) and it seems like a win-win situation: the university charges tuition, students get good grades without effort, classes are held with fewer students than normal for those who I really want to learn and get paid. But is it ethical? The only drawback I can think of is the false image a potential employer may have and the fact that I have pangs of conscience. — Name withheld
From the ethicist:
Unfortunately, his conscience worries him for a reason. I don’t know why the administration thinks it’s okay to give a passing grade to a student who hasn’t been to class; a grade says someone has taken a course, not just a test. Consequently, a high grade in his class indicates that the student is capable of supporting a certain academic load. Therefore, there are several ways in which your absences are misrepresented. It is true that other students can benefit from a smaller class. However, these students might benefit most from being able to have conversations with competent speakers, both in the classroom and (through the friendships that are formed there) outside of it.
Economists remind us that a degree or certificate can simply function as a filter or selection device. In fact, in a job market obsessed with paper credentials, they may be little more than an “Admission One” ticket. But I hope that you have become an educator because you believe in education, in the instilling of knowledge and skills. By allowing this practice to continue, you and the administration are disrespecting the basic idea of education.
readers respond
The question in the previous column was from a reader wondering if she should attend the upcoming memorial service for her abusive father. Her extended family denied or downplayed this abuse and was planning a fawning tribute. He wrote: “Attending the memorial to witness the tradition and mythology will help me understand the family. How can I be present with my wife and children at my family’s loyal tribute to my abusive father? How can you honor or commemorate an abuser? The silence around child abuse is deafening.”
In his response, the ethicist noted: “You cannot improve your relationships with the rest of your father’s family while they treat your anger, rather than his abuse, as the problem. This will need to be addressed if you want to have decent relationships with them. But I doubt you can correct that at the monument. As his story suggests, speaking openly about the abuse will be seen as reflecting not on your father but on you. I’d introduce myself anyway, if you can stand it. The chances are high that you, as you say, will learn enlightening things about family and its prospects, as well as your wife and children. You might also consider writing an account of what happened to you, mentioning that your father finally accepted that he had wronged you, and send it to your whole family.” (Reread the full question and answer here.)
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the question and The ethicist’s response on how to honor an abusive parent was revealing. The idea of the letter is brilliant. For now, a judicious distribution for loving reflections and comments might better serve the well-being of the writer than a mailing to the whole family. — jon
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the memorial service It is your space to cry as you need to cry. While it may not be something you want to express publicly at the ceremony, I encourage you to use the space to not only learn more about your family, but also to explore any pain you may be carrying, even if it is very different from what you others feel. express. — Stephanie
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As a daughter of abuse and the only family member who fully remembers it, I have learned that it is rare for people to acknowledge something that has already been denied for years, and it is risky to resurface those truths. It’s a shame that people hide. Blame. Vested interests. I would say go, but don’t expose yourself. Seek peace and recognition in one-on-one meetings elsewhere. — Leeward
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I would advise the author of the letter did not attend. Attending a formal funeral is one thing; a monument is another. In these types of memorials, the truth is rarely told. The past is covered in a sugar glaze, which will only annoy the writer even more. It is best to protect his own mental and emotional health and spend the day with his wife and children doing something that brings him joy. — chris
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like someone too abused Thanks to a father, I have learned that only by confronting the difficult truth can family members express authentic love for the abused. So my advice to the reader: go or don’t go to the monument. But I don’t see any particular reason to take into account the feelings of your family members, since they, in building their lives, have clearly not taken yours into account. — anson
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