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Dialogue on Ethics and Integrity
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Dialogue on Ethics and Integrity
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Welcome to the dialogue on ethics and integrity!
Before we get too far, I wish to own up to a particular agenda. I have found that in the past my approaches to this subject have resulted in the attempt to discover the "right" way of doing something, or the "right" behavior for a particular situation. This attempt to find "rightness" rarely, if ever, explored the basic assumptions on which "rightness" is or could be based. The first time I experienced a framework that could serve as a base was in reading Jane Jacobs' work, Systems of Survival. This $12.00 (USA) paperback (Vintage Publishing ISBN 0-679-74816-4) opened up my eyes to a whole new way of looking at the world. I believe that her work is so crucial, that I would like to have it be included in this dialogic process. I have described below some of the main points she makes. I have not included her explanations of why she made the choices she did, and I would encourage you to read her book so you can speak with more depth in your responses and in your inquiry into the applications of her ideas. I have included a brief synoposis as a kind of "cheat sheet" :-) on her ideas, and for common reference.
I hope passionately that we can sharpen our awareness of when the syndromes are being both well and poorly applied. This is my "hidden" agenda, and I think one of the major fruits of this exploration. If we can come to terms with how our society and culture apply and misapply them, then perhaps we can make some lasting change.
I have used the word "dialogue" in reference to this discussion. Because it is a written process and not verbal, I have included some "rules" that have helped in the verbal attempts I've made. They are from the work Margaret Wheatly et.al. have done at her Berkana meetings, through the sharing of Don Benson and Helen Spector, to whom I owe a debt of gratitude for their openness and support.
The book Systems of Survival expounds two main frameworks or "syndromes" from which to consider ethical behavior. They are called the Commercial and the Guardian Syndromes. I will detail what these are shortly. There are certain shared vales, however, that I want to mention here. Jane feels that these values are shared across the board. It might be interesting to explore how they show up in each Syndrome, and to see if there might be something about this sharing that helps bring the two syndromes into closer and more productive integration.
These values are:
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The Guardian Syndrome
is so named because all of the professions that express this syndrome serve
a guardian function, in some manner, in our society. The focus is on respecting
tradition and maintainnig it for the future. Well used the attention is
on future generations and the greater good. Ill used, it becomes a vehicle
for self-protection as a corruptive influence. The professions are; the
police, government, the military, and organized religion. The values she
believes are inherent to this group are: (please refer to the book for
explanations and justifications.)
The Commercial Syndrome
contains, of course, merchants. The focus is on today and making sure that
the immediate future is comfortable and easily maintained. Used well it
generates means of creating ease and wealth. Ill used it takes with no
thought of the future and becomes a vehicle for creating wealth at the
expense of others. The values found in this group are:
There are several professions
that are special cases, and this too would be a fruitful place for inquiry.
These professions are; the medical profession, lawyers, and agriculture.
Art is also a special case. Again I would refer you to the book for a more
detailed description and explanation of why this is so.
Here are some thoughts that maybe worth pondering:
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