Ethical Approach Research Articles

Ethical Considerations in Pediatric Surgery.

Pediatric surgeons need to learn to give as much importance to the ethical approach as they have been giving to the systemic methodology in their clinical approach all along. The law of the land and the governmental rules also need to be kept in mind before deciding the final solution. They need to always put medical problems in the background of ethical context, reach a few solutions keeping in mind the available resources, and apply the best solution in the interest of their pediatric patients.

Crises, business decisions and virtue: A managerial reading of biblical famine narratives

Introduction: Management is a complex issue that necessitates an ethical approach, especially in times of crisis. Indeed, precisely when the decisions to be made are placed in a highly disrupted context, the importance of a managerial class emerges that is not only technically trained but morally cultivated and, therefore, capable of grasping the various social and ethical implications of the decisions made. Aim of the work: This paper, adopting the theoretical framework of virtue eth- ics, aims to analyze biblical famine narratives to identify the moral characters of corporate decision-makers. Methodological approach: The research adopts textual analysis applied to selected biblical texts as an investigative tool. Main findings: This analysis makes it possible to highlight the virtues of the "good decision-maker" who makes wise decisions for himself and for the community; from the results of the analysis follow some practical implications in the managerial sphere, contributing to the debate on the virtuousness of organizations. Originality: The paper is characterized by its exploratory nature, analyzing an- cient texts in an original way on the basis of the theoretical framework of virtue ethics in order to draw some considerations relevant to the current business context.

Organizar em Ruínas: Contribuições de Abordagens Multiespécies na Administração

ABSTRACT Objective: this essay problematizes destructive organizational practices that produce and perpetuate spaces in ruins. Drawing from the practices of the mining industry in Brazil, exemplified by the rupture of the Fundão dam (MG), we theorize about the contributions of multispecies approaches to Administration. Thesis: we propose, through dialogues between organizational studies and multispecies studies, the concept of a multispecies organizing of space that transcends exclusively human relations. We consider space as both product and process in everyday organizational life, yet we highlight the limitations of the human-centric focus in the literature. We conceptualize spacing as a non-human production of practices entangling humans and actors composing environments and various species of plants, animals, fungi, and other forms of existence. Thus, we challenge a hegemonic view in the field, underscoring the importance of a more inclusive and ethical approach to spatial and organizational practices. Conclusions: we rethink social and organizational dynamics, emphasizing not only mining activity but other corporate practices through a spatialized and more-than-human perspective. The essay contributes ontologically by making visible the agency of other living beings in organizational processes and practices, methodologically by decentering the human in research, and politically by analyzing asymmetric power relations. Such contributions enable the promotion of a broader and more responsible understanding of the complex relations between humans and non-humans in organizational contexts.

Toward an integrated ethical review process: an animal-centered research framework for the refinement of research procedures.

The involvement of animals in research procedures that can harm them and to which they are deemed unable to consent raises fundamental ethical dilemmas. While current ethical review processes emphasize the application of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement), grounded in a human-centered utilitarian ethical approach, a comprehensive ethical review also involves a harm-benefit analysis and the consideration of wider ethical issues. Nevertheless, to our knowledge, approaches are still needed to facilitate the integrative assessment and iterative revision of research designs to improve their ethical value or to identify cases in which using animals is irremediably unethical. Additionally, frameworks are lacking that explicitly include an animal-centered perspective into the ethical review process beyond welfare concerns, failing to cover broader ethical considerations (such as consent). In previous work we proposed an Animal-Centered Research framework (ACRf) comprising four animal-centered research principles (relevance, impartiality, welfare and consent) which could help researchers and ethical review bodies apprise research designs from an animal-centered perspective. This paper builds on and further develops our previous work by contextualizing the ACRf within the bigger picture of animal research ethical review and by illustrating how the ACRf could be operationalized within current ethical review processes. We contribute an extended framework that integrates the application of the ACRf principles within the ethical review process. To this end, we present findings from a theoretical case study focusing on the ethical review of a research protocol on the study of stress response in pigs. We discuss how our extended framework could be easily applied to facilitate a holistic approach to the ethical review process, and inform an iterative process of refinement, to support the development of research designs that are both more ethical and scientifically valid.

Impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on industrial design for architect design purposes

The paper analyzes the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on industrial design. It discusses how AI has revolutionized the creation and production processes by automating many steps such as virtual simulation, shape and material optimization and product personalization. It also explores how AI can improve efficiency and reduce costs, as well as contribute to the creation of innovative products and the exploration of new technologies and materials. The research also presents personal examples of the integration of AI in the development of design concepts in teaching activities. At the same time, it discusses the challenges and risks associated with using AI in industrial design, such as the issue of transparency and control over decisions made by algorithms and the loss of jobs in the human sector. The paper concludes with a plea for a responsible and ethical approach to using AI in industrial design, which should leverage its advantages without negatively affecting people or the environment.

ПРИНЦИПИ РОЗВИТКУ ІННОВАЦІЙНОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ В УМОВАХ ЕКСТРЕМАЛЬНИХ СИТУАЦІЙ

In times of crisis, it is crucial to define the principles that will guide the innovative strategy of enterprises. This is necessary to be prepared for unforeseen challenges and to successfully adapt to changes. These principles help manage resources, ensuring flexibility, swift reaction, and risk reduction. Such an approach also fosters the creation of a corporate culture focused on innovation and continuous learning, making the company attractive to talented employees and investors. Furthermore, clear formulation of principles ensures adherence to high standards of ethics and responsibility in the company's activities, promoting stability and development in complex situations. The analysis of the development of innovation activity of enterprises in extreme situations has shown that the proper implementation of specific principles is crucial for ensuring resilience, adaptability, and innovative capacity of organizations. It has been argued that flexibility and adaptability, risk anticipation, quick response, cooperation and partnerships, resilience orientation, innovation culture, continuous learning, as well as ethics and responsibility are key elements that contribute to preparing and providing adequate responses of companies to unforeseen changes. It has been reasoned that such principles facilitate successful resolution of crisis situations and provide companies with opportunities for innovative development and longterm growth. This is achieved through the creation of adaptive systems capable of quickly responding to external changes and through the formation of strategic partnerships that expand resources and competencies. Therefore, the comprehensive and systematic application of the mentioned principles allows companies to effectively adapt to modern challenges and actively shape the future, where innovation serves as a means of ensuring business resilience and social responsibility. The application of the presented set of principles for the development of innovative activities is critically important for ensuring the resilience of enterprises in extreme situations. Principles such as flexibility, collaboration, innovation culture, and continuous learning contribute to the survival of companies and their long-term development and innovative progress. Responsible and ethical approaches to innovation in times of crisis help companies establish themselves as reliable and responsible market participants.

Disability 4.0: bioethical considerations on the use of embodied artificial intelligence.

Robotics and artificial intelligence have marked the beginning of a new era in the care and integration of people with disabilities, helping to promote their independence, autonomy and social participation. In this area, bioethical reflection assumes a key role at anthropological, ethical, legal and socio-political levels. However, there is currently a substantial diversity of opinions and ethical arguments, as well as a lack of consensus on the use of assistive robots, while the focus remains predominantly on the usability of products. The article presents a bioethical analysis that highlights the risk arising from using embodied artificial intelligence according to a functionalist model. Failure to recognize disability as the result of a complex interplay between health, personal and situational factors could result in potential damage to the intrinsic dignity of the person and human relations with healthcare workers. Furthermore, the danger of discrimination in accessing these new technologies is highlighted, emphasizing the need for an ethical approach that considers the social and moral implications of implementing embodied AI in the field of rehabilitation.

Seeing the human behind the research: Strengthening emerging African disability researchers.

A pre-conference workshop that investigated the experiences and needs of PhD candidates and early career researchers in disability studies in Africa was held as part of the proceedings of the African Network for Evidence to Action in Disability (AfriNEAD) 7th Conference in November 2023. To determine how the existing structures in AfriINEAD can be leveraged to support emerging African disability researchers. This article documents this event and summarises the key findings from the discussions that took place. The workshop included presentations from leading scholars in health professions education, panel discussions with PhD candidates and early career researchers, and small group discussions on what is needed to support emerging researchers. Disability studies was positioned by participants as not only an academic exercise but also a deeply personal pursuit, requiring introspection and conscientisation, with which they felt they needed support. There are also specific ethical concerns related to doing research work with persons with disabilities, which need to be prioritised in postgraduate education in disability studies. The needs identified by participants are summarised as: (1) mentorship, (2) networking, and (3) funding. We suggest that the development of African disability scholars and scholarship requires an African ethical approach, which prioritises humanity, community and reciprocity. African disability studies scholars are well-placed to disrupt ableism in academic, medical and social spheres, as well as hierarchies within academia, which limit development, mutual growth and respect.

Маршрути пам'яті у сучасному туристичному вимірі

This article is devoted to memory routes, which open up new opportunities for the tourism industry by transforming ordinary routes into educational and cultural tools. Integrating them into the tourist space enriches visitors' perception of history and culture, while also emphasizing the importance of an ethical approach to presenting historical events. Such routes not only enhance cultural tourism but also contribute to the formation of national identity and the preservation of historical memory. The article explores the role of memory routes in modern tourism. It identifies the content and place of memory routes in tourism from the perspective of various concepts such as cultural tourism, route tourism, cultural routes, and heritage routes. Memory routes are considered as a type of heritage route, specific tourist paths based on landmarks associated with historical events, significant locations, or figures that played a crucial role in shaping national or cultural identity. The integration of such routes into the tourism space and their impact on visitors' perception of history and cultural heritage are analyzed. Special attention is given to the concept of historical memory and the ethical aspects of presenting events as the basis for route formation. The importance of memory routes for shaping national identity and historical memory is emphasized.

Improving shared decision-making about cancer treatment through design-based data-driven decision-support tools and redesigning care paths: an overview of the 4D PICTURE project.

Patients with cancer often have to make complex decisions about treatment, with the options varying in risk profiles and effects on survival and quality of life. Moreover, inefficient care paths make it hard for patients to participate in shared decision-making. Data-driven decision-support tools have the potential to empower patients, support personalized care, improve health outcomes and promote health equity. However, decision-support tools currently seldom consider quality of life or individual preferences, and their use in clinical practice remains limited, partly because they are not well integrated in patients' care paths. The central aim of the 4D PICTURE project is to redesign patients' care paths and develop and integrate evidence-based decision-support tools to improve decision-making processes in cancer care delivery. This article presents an overview of this international, interdisciplinary project. In co-creation with patients and other stakeholders, we will develop data-driven decision-support tools for patients with breast cancer, prostate cancer and melanoma. We will support treatment decisions by using large, high-quality datasets with state-of-the-art prognostic algorithms. We will further develop a conversation tool, the Metaphor Menu, using text mining combined with citizen science techniques and linguistics, incorporating large datasets of patient experiences, values and preferences. We will further develop a promising methodology, MetroMapping, to redesign care paths. We will evaluate MetroMapping and these integrated decision-support tools, and ensure their sustainability using the Nonadoption, Abandonment, Scale-Up, Spread, and Sustainability (NASSS) framework. We will explore the generalizability of MetroMapping and the decision-support tools for other types of cancer and across other EU member states. Through an embedded ethics approach, we will address social and ethical issues. Improved care paths integrating comprehensive decision-support tools have the potential to empower patients, their significant others and healthcare providers in decision-making and improve outcomes. This project will strengthen health care at the system level by improving its resilience and efficiency.

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF CONDUCTING THE PSYCHO-CORRECTIONAL PROCESS AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE ANALYSIS OF THE ETHICAL CODES OF UKRAINE AND CANADA

In Ukraine, the practice of providing psychological and coaching services in social networks has become widespread and these services occurred and continue to occur with violations of the rules of ethics of psychological counseling. In fact, in the current conditions when many different counseling services are available, the line between professional psychological help and “personal growth schools” is blurring. Those schools do not so much help as harm a person, without solving his/her problem at a deep level. Therefore, the goal of our research is to actualize the need to modernize the practice of applying ethical norms by Ukrainian psychologists and improve it by borrowing international experience from the world psychological community and comparing ethical approaches in Canada and Ukraine. The research presents the author’s practical experience of working with clients (taking into account all confidentiality rules). During the research, a mini-survey was conducted on social networks, which shows a certain trend that the ethical principles of psychologists’ work aren’t a high priority for their clients. It becomes obvious, that such low demand from society for ethical norms creates a corresponding supply of services that neglect generally accepted rules of professional activity. By analyzing some aspects of the Canadian and Ukrainian Ethical Codes, the author considers it necessary to draw attention to the need for quick and decisive actions to change the general paradigm in the services of Ukrainian psychologists with an emphasis on strengthening the ethical component and increasing the responsibility for violations of rules recognized by state institutions and public associations.

Including citizens in collaborative projects in integrated health care through the living lab approach: how to attract participants, build a panel database, engage with end users, and keep them motivated

Introduction: The living lab approach allows citizens to be directly involved in projects in integrated healthcare to ensure that the development of topics is tailored to their needs and priorities and that their values are respected all throughout ideation and development. Be it through providing insights to researchers, participating in the collection and analysis of information on their health and well-being, or initiating and co-constructing the protocols of a project, citizens can be involved in many ways. They are the experts of their own lives!
 Aims & methods: While setting up a community living lab, the development of a large-scale panel of citizens is an intensive, but necessary action. This community forms a large-scale co-creation and test environment of individuals willing to contribute to the development of new concepts, services, or products.
 A user panel fulfills two core functions: Firstly, the panel is needed as a recruitment (data)base for the various experiments/research projects that will run within the living lab (as well as facilitating scalability). The panel must be well profiled and easily accessible, so it can be quickly activated. 
 Secondly, this test panel aims to act as a benchmark for the living lab. It is the breeding ground from which specific needs and requirements, but also certain trends, can be identified bottom-up. This information can serve as a basis for defining new projects.
 In this presentation, we will highlight: 
 What the requirements are for a representative reference group to run projects
 How different profiles and organisations can be approached and attracted
 The importance of network building
 How a panel database can be built and managed
 Which techniques can be used to profile panel members
 How to keep panel members interested and motivated to contribute to projects on a regular basis
 Key findings: LiCalab has over 10 years of experience in working with citizens in innovation projects. It takes time to build a test panel and it will always remain a work in progress. The main learnings from this journey are that you need to be a trusted partner for both citizens and intermediaries as well as care organisations. An ethical approach, committed and inclusive communication, and an attractive story are key.
 Conclusions: Citizens are motivated partners in designing future-proof and inclusive healthcare. A well profiled database and a close one-on-one connection with members is an intensive but rewarding approach for all parties that want to build new solutions together with end users.
 Implications: Local authorities, care organisations and companies increasingly acknowledge the importance of citizen involvement to design better solutions corresponding to the needs of end users.

Fish as fellow creatures—A matter of moral attention

AbstractUp against capacity‐based approaches to animal ethics, Cora Diamond has put the idea of animals as our fellow creatures. The aim of this article is to explore the implications of this concept for our treatment of fish. Fish have traditionally been placed at the borders or even outside of the moral community, although there is growing evidence that they have perceptual and social capacities comparable to animals that are considered morally significant. Given that a fellow creature's approach is not primarily concerned with capacities, fish may pose a challenge: Can fish be seen as our fellow creatures, and if so, on what grounds? In exploring these questions, we defend Diamond against Jeff McMahan's critique of her account and its implications that the fellow creature‐concept is reducible to either capacities or special relationships and leaves no room for argument‐based moral reform. We suggest that moral attention is key to grasping the moral significance of fish and discuss how scientific research can support such attention. In so doing, we demonstrate how Diamond's approach to animal ethics provides a viable alternative to the dominant animal ethics approaches. Finally, we indicate how this approach can be useful for discussions on industrial fish farming.

Determination of Environmental Ethics Approaches of Urban and Regional Planning Students

Urban planners who are environmentally conscious and aware will take action to take responsibility, inform, and control. Raising environmental awareness is essential in urban planning education to understand environmental problems. Therefore, it is necessary to educate urban planning students on environmental ethics. This study investigates the environmental attitudes and behaviors of urban and regional planning students, who will shape the environment in the future within the context of the value-belief-norm theory. Moreover, to find clues that will shape environmental education in the course curriculum. The study included 226 students from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning in the Faculty of Architecture of Yıldız Technical University (YTU) and Amasya University (AU). Questionnaire data has been evaluated using principal components analysis, correlation analysis, T-test, and ANOVA analysis. According to the study findings, urban planning students have adopted biocentric, ecocentric, and anthropocentric value orientations. The study has found that students with ecocentric value orientation tend to show more pro-environmental behavior. The study concludes that the student’s characteristics also affect how they show pro-environmental behavior and evaluate environmental policies. In conclusion, focusing on ecocentric approaches in urban planning education can positively affect adopting pro-environmental behavior and policies. Additionally, study findings show that students with relatively better economic conditions are more inclined to have a biocentric value orientation. Based on the literature and these study findings, pro-environmental behavior is not a single-dimensional structure caused only by individuals' personal and professional characteristics. People's environmental attitudes and behaviors are shaped by their upbringing, school, friends, and culture. It shows that pro-environmental behavior has a multi-dimensional complex structure, and a conceptual framework can provide guidance to explain these kinds of behavior.

The Jejuluk in Komering tribe weddings in the globalization from a siyasa perspective

This article discusses jejuluk as the bestowing of traditional titles to the bride and groom in the Komering tradition after the wedding. This tradition is still preserved in the Komering community today. This article looks at the reason why it is important for the Komering people to bestow titles at a wedding ceremony, and how this tradition is maintained. This article is based on a study conducted in Tanjung Lubuk District, Ogan Komering Ilir Regency, South Sumatra. The study used symbol theory that integrated an ethical approach with the meaning of symbols based on the researcher's perspective. This study also used an emic perspective, which is a cultural understanding based on the owner of the culture. Data collection was carried out using three techniques: observation, in-depth interviews, and secondary data. In this research, two levels of analysis were used: interpretive qualitative analysis because this research is cultural research and analysis from the perspective of siyasa. This research shows that jejuluk is a tradition inherited from the ancestors to support the building of a sakinah, mawaddah, and rahmah family because it has the values ​​of harmony and nobility. From the perspective of siyasa, jejuluk can be interpreted as a strategy for the Komering community to preserve local wisdom and values ​​in marriage, so their traditions and cultural roots of their ancestors are not lost amidst the strong currents of globalization.

Ethical considerations in prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling

Introduction: Prenatal diagnosis, the most widely used reproductive option in the world, refers to methods used to study the health of the fetus. One of the objectives is to detect congenital malformations during fetal development and allow for pregnancy termination. An ethical approach, based on respect for individuals and confidentiality, while avoiding harm and respecting autonomy, are the keys to optimal genetic counseling. Objective: To present some ethical considerations regarding medical genetics as a healthcare practice. To this end, discussion will be based on the fundamental principles of bioethics related to prenatal diagnosis and the genetic counseling process. Results: Ethical considerations in medical genetics are a relatively new topic influenced by the advancement of bioethics and the resolution of ethical and social dilemmas in medical practice. Conclusions: In the field of prenatal diagnosis, ethical, social, and legal conflicts that require careful resolution may arise. Physicians must adhere to bioethical principles such as autonomy, justice, beneficence, and non-maleficence in their professional practice. These principles serve as fundamental norms for their conduct, providing a foundation for reasoning and guiding actions in the genetic counseling process. Keywords: medical ethics; bioethics; prenatal diagnosis; genetic counseling

Cultivating virtue literacy in visual arts classes: Reflection on a fine-arts intervention aimed at moral education in a lower-secondary school in Iceland

ABSTRACT In this paper, I discuss the results of focus-group interviews with teachers and pupils in Iceland who participated in an intervention in visual arts classes aimed at cultivating virtue literacy, critical thinking, and moral deliberation through pupils’ creativity and discussions regarding moral topics. Pupils and teachers generally welcomed the ethical approach of the project, but thematic analysis revealed challenges to implementing moral education in a traditional school setting. The results suggest that although the value of the arts for moral reflection and deliberation is widely recognised, interventions for moral education need to consider the existing national educational framework, general educational aims, local school culture and the diverse characteristics of pupils and teachers.

Towards a Safe and Secure Global Information Technology Ecosystem

Cyberspace, an expanding and boundless platform created by a vast network of interconnected devices, has caused a fundamental change in communication, work, and information accessibility. The unprecedented potential of this platform, however, also poses major challenges in terms of privacy and security. Due to its multinational nature, cyberspace transcends the sovereignty of any one government and therefore evades exclusive ownership by a nation-state. Although the growth of digitalization has simplified many processes and increased productivity in daily life, this exponential growth has rendered the digital ecosystem more vulnerable to a wide range of cybersecurity threats. The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks and operations carried out by both state and non-state actors highlight the need for better international cooperation to help protect critical infrastructure from malicious actors. Collective action in response to global cyber threats requires consistency and adherence to ethical principles within the international community. Ethical approaches to leadership and international cooperation can play an important part in resolving global cybersecurity issues by paving the way for the development and adoption of better and more effective cybersecurity policies that can help mitigate the risk more optimally. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the possibilities of bolstering global solidarity via the use of ethical methods to combat the challenges posed by digital technology. The intricate and interconnected nature of cyber issues underscores the cruciality of ethical governance in the identification and implementation of practical solutions. The present study seeks to examine and assess the practicality, applicability, and efficiency of various ethical frameworks in addressing issues pertaining to digital platforms, thereby contributing to a better understanding of the interplay between ethics and cybersecurity. This study would contribute to the development of strategies for inspiring ethical and responsible behavior from public and private sectors regarding cybersecurity, and to the promotion of international solidarity and cooperation in addressing global cyber threats.

Pragmatic ethical approaches to evangelising in the medical encounter

This paper describes the practical ethical issues and addresses some of the difficulties that arise at the interface between religion and the practice of medicine.Situations that arise between the physician and the patient concerning religious and spiritual beliefs are described. Approaches and caveats to offering religious opinions, instructions and evangelising in the medical encounter are proposed by the author.

Definition of Economics in Retrospective: Two Epistemological Tensions That Explain the Change of the Study Object in Economics

Throughout history, schools of economic thought have defined political economy—or economics—and its object of study in multiple ways. This paper reflects on the definitions of economics by schools of economic thought and also proposes the concepts of value and scarcity as key concepts to explain the differences between them. The most important findings of the paper are: (a) the ontological and epistemological characteristics of the concept of value and scarcity have shaped the definitions of economics; (b) the boundaries of the study object of economics have been expanded since today’s mainstream economics deals with multiple topics as diverse as crime, education, development, health, etc. However, the methodological tools used in mainstream economics have been narrowed since approaches such as the philosophical, ethical, historical, and institutional approaches have been left behind; (c) the part of reality that mainstream economics can grasp have left behind important issues of the contemporary world, such as gender, social, and environmental issues. A clear understanding of the scope and boundaries of economics could help to define more realistic research questions for economic science, and it would help to define new economic paradigms that address the contemporary issues.