Ethical Problems Research Articles

Auctioning Long-Term Projects under Financial Constraints

Abstract We consider a procurement auction for the provision of a basic service to which an add-on must later be appended. Potential providers are symmetric, have private information on their cost for the basic service and the winning firm must also implement the add-on. To finance value-enhancing activities related to the add-on, this firm may need extra funding by outside financiers. Non-verifiable effort related to these activities creates a moral hazard problem which makes the firm’s payoff function for the second period concave in returns over the relevant range. Concavity has two effects. First, it makes it more attractive to backload payments to facilitate information revelation. Second, uncertainty on the cost of the add-on introduces a background risk which requires a risk premium. In this context, we characterize the optimal intertemporal structure of payments to the winning firm, equilibrium bidding behavior and reserve prices for a first-price auction.

An introduction to the ethical and social problems of bodybuilding

since the 20th century bodybuilding has been an object of study that interests and challenges researchers in the sociology of sport (see Conquet, 2014; Tajrobehkar, 2016; Wellman, 2020) and, recently, in the philosophy of sport (see Aranyosi, 2017; Madej, 2021; Worthen, 2016). However, many of its problems are little known in the orthodox philosophical literature. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to contribute from STS studies to the posing and discussion of the central ethical and social problems of bodybuilding by contributing to the philosophy of sport or the philosophy of body techniques. Therefore, I will plant the following problems in relation to bodybuilding: gender and sexism; racism, ableism and eugenics; and lastly, fatphobia. Finally, I propose that many of these problems are generated from the indiscriminate use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) within this sport subculture. In this sense, a precautionary framework (epistemic values, moral values, hormonal benefit principle and sports precautionary principle) is proposed from STS studies with the aim of regulating their use, avoiding adverse effects in individuals who are not professional bodybuilders.

Dynamic Contract Design in the Presence of Double Moral Hazard

We consider a stylized incentive management problem over an infinite time horizon, where the principal hires an agent to provide services to customers. Customers request service in one of two ways: either via an online or a traditional offline channel. The principal does not observe the offline customers’ arrivals, nor does she observe whether the agent exerts (costly) effort that can increase the arrival rate of customers. This creates an opportunity for the agent (i) to divert cash (that is, to under-report the number of offline customers and pocket respective revenues) and also (ii) to shirk (that is, not to exert effort), thus leading to a novel and thus far unexplored double moral hazard problem. To address this problem, we formulate a constrained, continuous-time, stochastic optimal control problem and derive an optimal contract with a simple intuitive structure that includes a payment scheme and a potential termination time of the agent. We enrich the model to allow the principal to either (i) dynamically adjust the prices for the services in both channels or (ii) monitor the agent. Both tools help the principal to alleviate the double moral hazard problem. We derive respective optimal strategies for using those tools that guarantee the highest profits. We show that the worse the agent’s past performance is, the lower the prices should be set and the more the principal should monitor the agent. This paper was accepted by Ilia Tsetlin, behavioral economics and decision analysis. Funding: The work of F. Tian is financially supported by the Hong Kong RGC Funding [RGC General Research Fund 2023/24 17502023], HKU Seed Fund for Basic Research for New Staff (2022), and the HKU Business School Shenzhen Research Institute [SZRI2023-BRF-04]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.01169 .

Dual Moral Hazard and the Tyranny of Success

I explain why current success can undermine an organization’s ability to innovate. I consider a standard bandit problem between a safe and a risky arm with two modifications. First, a principal allocates resources. Second, an agent must install the risky arm, which is not contractible. If the principal cannot commit to a resource policy, a dual moral hazard problem emerges: The agent’s pay must be tied to the risky arm’s success to encourage installation, inducing the principal to stop experimenting with the arm prematurely. This problem intensifies as the safe arm becomes more profitable, potentially leaving the organization worse off. (JEL D21, D82, D86, O31)

“Who is sexually harassed? A python code haha”: imaginaries of a post-violent AI world

ABSTRACT This study examines the AI imaginaries surrounding Lee Luda 1.0, a female AI companion designed by Scatter Lab, a start-up company based in South Korea. While the company envisioned its AI companion to become everyone’s best friend, Lee Luda became a controversial figure after it was reported that a subset of male users had sexually harassed the chatbot. In response, Scatter Lab evaded questions about Lee Luda’s sexual harassment as a gender problem and many users of online male communities denied the possibility of sexual abuse against a chatbot, thus not considering it as an ethical problem. Moving beyond questions that query whether sexual harassment of AI is real, this study examines how people shape the terms of acceptance surrounding gendered AI abuse and their ethical implications. Through an examination of the discourses surrounding Lee Luda’s sexual harassment, this study argues that Scatter Lab and a subset of users advance technoliberal imaginaries, mainly imaginaries of a post-violent AI world, which perceive violence against AI as unreal and abstracted from misogynistic violence in real life. This study concludes by discussing the consequences of technoliberal imaginaries surrounding gendered AI abuse and how we can challenge them.

The Influence and Strategies of Generative Artificial Intelligence on Academia, Ethics and Society

In the context of the emerging digital environment, generative artificial intelligence (GAI) is quickly becoming implemented in different spheres of life and even begins to replace people in some professions. This means that GAI is leading a new round of technological and industrial revolution. The application and growth of artificial intelligence has improved the society as well as the economy and but has issued many ethical and social problems thus making ethical governance of artificial intelligence more relevant. To contribute to the further development of the concept GAI under the conditions of sustainable development of human society and science, industries and scholars around the world have started researches on this technology. However, as GAI is still an embryonic field, more research efforts must be directed toward this field in the future. Researched articles that compare the use of GAI to the effects on ethical and societal concerns will form the basis of this paper and the resulting discussion of the pros and cons of this technology, this paper considers and demonstrates the difficulties of students, educators, and academics facing the consequences of GAI development. Finally, it has suggestion for the governance of GAI’s next phase of growth.

Impact of Ethical Infrastructure on the Performance of Executive Power Administrative Units in Bulgaria

In the last 30 years, issues related to ethics in the public sector have become increasingly relevant in Bulgaria. Since the democratic changes, the interest in ethics in public structures has increased. A number of studies by international and national institutes and organisations have brought the state of the ethical environment in Bulgaria into the focus of research interest, and have highlighted the problems of corruption and the absence of adequate countermeasures. Corruption is the most obvious manifestation of the lack of a functioning ethical infrastructure or adequate control over administration in our country. Reactive behaviour towards cases of corruption is not an effective mechanism for curbing corruption. Rather, actions need to be based on proactive approaches. Yet, to make adequate choices, it is essential to analyse the level to which the elements of the ethical infrastructure which have an impact on organisational performance and affect the ethical climate have been developed. This research analyses the level of development of ethical infrastructure and its impact on the performance of administrative structures in Bulgaria, while also exploring the respondents’ attitudes towards these issues. It defines the applied models of ethical infrastructure and problem areas in the ethical environment of executive administrations in Bulgaria.

“The stay here is, of course, not appropriate for an old person”: the perspective of healthcare providers on older patients in the emergency department

BackgroundIn aging societies, emergency departments (ED) face an increasing number of older, geriatric patients. Research shows that older emergency patients have a greater burden of comorbidities and a higher risk of adverse events. It has been questioned whether contemporary ED structures can meet the specific needs and characteristics of older patients. Little is known about how professional health care providers perceive and experience ED care for older patients. This study aimed to get insight into the perspective of healthcare providers working with older ED patients and to explore the challenges they experience in their daily work.MethodsThe study used a qualitative research design with a social-constructivist perspective and a Grounded Theory based methodology. Data were collected through qualitative interviews with N = 25 healthcare providers from different urban EDs in Berlin, Germany, and adjacent healthcare institutions. Following the Ground Theory approach, categories and central themes were identified, analyzed, and interpreted to gain a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare provider perspective.ResultsThe interviews revealed a significant and increasing relevance of geriatric ED patients for healthcare providers. However, there was no shared definition of ‘the geriatric patient’. Most interviewees found ED structures to be inadequate for older patients. They described specific challenges, such as information gathering and safety risks in the ED, as well as an increased use of resources (both time and personnel) when caring for older patients. In addition, specific problems in the collaboration with other professions and institutions were addressed, namely nursing homes, hospital wards, consultations, and the hospital social service.ConclusionHealthcare providers experience a structural mismatch between contemporary EDs and the specific needs of geriatric patients. They are aware of the vulnerabilities of geriatric patients and try to compensate for inherent structural shortcomings. Such structures and limited resources often cause practical, organizational, and ethical problems. There is a great need to develop, implement, and evaluate systematic approaches and care concepts that address the specifics of ED care for geriatric patients.

Issues of social justice in the development of personalised therapy for paediatric SIRS patients

Abstract Background Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) is an often-emergent condition, which lacks specific diagnostic tools. Personalised therapy could fill this gap but as every new technology, it raises issues of social justice. Our report aims at identification and analysis of social justice implications within the bigger ERA PerMed funded project of development of tailored immunotherapy for paediatric SIRS patients (TIPS) coordinated by Prof. Catharina Schütz from Technic University Dresden. Methods Qualitative research methodology thought 10 semi-structured interviews. Systematic literature review grounded the interview questionnaire. Transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis by two independent researchers. Results Social justice was seen as equal chances of inclusion of different population groups in research. Socioeconomic differences were perceived as a challenge to ensure justice across various populations (N = 7). Two interviewees saw discrimination as inherent to precision medicine, which is focused on personalised treatment. Two experts viewed the exclusion of specific patients’ groups as an unsolvable problem, that only advocates for the inclusion of as many patients as possible. On the opinion of six experts individual and ethnocultural factors may influence outcomes in personalised treatment, especially considering the small sample size and the diverse populations. One medical expert, on the contrary, perceived no significant challenges associated with the heterogeneity of patients. Whether socioeconomic injustices should be addressed by guidelines and how these correspond to the rights of the patient were further discussed. Conclusions The issues of social justice accompany research in personalised medicine, including SIRS. In general, there is sensitivity to this issue, but current guidelines are too vague. As with other ethical problems, so with social justice we seem to have a rethinking of the concept, that needs further study. Key messages • In the context of SIRS personalised therapy research, there is a sensitivity to the issue of social justice, but no consensus how to ensure it. • Issues of social justice are often boiled down to equal chances of inclusion in research and equal access to treatment. In the case of personalised therapy, there seems to be more to it.

Can ChatGPT affect health literacy?

Abstract Background ChatGPT is a large language model based on artificial intelligence, which nowadays finds application in various fields, including medicine. Objectives To investigate the usefulness of ChatGPT related to health literacy and to highlight its potential limitations. Methods We searched PubMed/MEDLINE for published research and articles that reviewed ChatGPT in the context of health literacy, written in English over the past five years with free full text access. All original articles were screened. Results A total of 53 publications were found. Twenty-five publications met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Most of the works presented a positive opinion towards the use of ChatGPT. The authors of six articles believe that ChatGPT generates more readable papers, while four of them believe the opposite. In four articles authors found out possibility to simplify text. The negative sides relate to the possibly insufficient education of users, the accuracy of the information, potential bias, dependence on the outdated data, and the ethical problem of the real authors not being cited, and therefore not recognized for their work. Conclusions According to the conducted research, ChatGPT represents an opportunity to improve health literacy by generating accessible and comprehensible information about health. It has also been shown to improve the readability and accessibility of public education materials on selected health topics. Furthermore, while AI models like ChatGPT can serve as a reliable source of health information, they should be used as an addition to professional medical consultation, and not as a standalone advice service. Key messages • ChatGPT represents an opportunity to improve health literacy. • AI models like ChatGPT can serve as a reliable source of health information, but they should be used as an addition to professional medical consultation, and not as a standalone advice service.

Information technology and lender competition

We study how information technology (IT) affects lender competition, entrepreneurs’ investment, and welfare in a spatial model. The effects of an IT improvement depend on whether it weakens the influence of lender–borrower distance on monitoring costs. If it does, it has a hump-shaped effect on entrepreneurs’ investment and social welfare. If not, competition intensity does not vary, improving lender profits, entrepreneurs’ investment, and social welfare. When entrepreneurs’ moral hazard problem is severe, IT-induced competition is more likely to reduce investment and welfare. We also find that lenders’ price discrimination is not welfare-optimal. Our results are consistent with received empirical work on lending to SMEs.

AI-Generated Content: Legal Challenges & Potential Reforms

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly altering numerous markets, including those involving creative jobs such as art, music, and literature. As AI remains to progress and come to be significantly sophisticated, it tests the existing lawful system, especially in the locations of copyright, copyright, and possession legal rights. This article explores whether our present legal system is properly prepared to manage the intricacies and moral problems posed by sophisticated AI modern technologies. By evaluating various lawful systems, evaluating relevant case studies, and exploring existing lawful challenges, this paper intends to understand the level to which our laws have the ability to properly attend to issues related to content created by AI. This study uses study, comparative research study, thorough literary works review, and historical analysis to discover the intersection in between AI and copyright law. Lastly, the paper recommends possible lawful changes and reforms to aid balance the requirement for technology with copyright security, making sure a fair and fair lawful structure.

Этические проблемы и риски формирования цифровой модели современного университета

The relevance of the study lies in the fact that the digital transformation of higher education, being a strategic national direction, envisages universities achieving digital maturity, including through the creation of a digital model that meets the needs of modern society and the digital economy. However, the process of forming a digital university reveals numerous ethical problems, which may lead to ambiguous consequences for both educational institutions and higher education as a whole. This paper examines the concept of a “digital university” and its content, providing an author’s definition and identifying the main elements that form a unified digital educational environment. The advantages of the digital university in comparison to the traditional university are highlighted, and the importance of forming a digital model of the university is determined. Furthermore, the ethical problems that arise during the digitalization of key elements of the digital university are identified and analyzed. The risks associated with the process of forming the digital model of the modern university are indicated, and recommendations for their prevention are provided. Conclusion dwells upon the fact that the digital university model presents a dilemma that can be resolved by developing effective approaches to its creation, with a focus on ethically justified decisions in the use of digital technologies in the educational process. Recognizing the role of traditional university ethics in the digital educational environment, promoting the development of humanities knowledge, and codifying digital scientific and educational activities are essential steps in this direction.

Cluster analysis for ethical portfolio optimization problem using fuzzy chance constrained programming

Cluster analysis for ethical portfolio optimization problem using fuzzy chance constrained programming

A Confucian Algorithm for Autonomous Vehicles

Any moral algorithm for autonomous vehicles must provide a practical solution to moral problems of the trolley type, in which all possible courses of action will result in damage, injury, or death. This article discusses a hitherto neglected variety of this type of problem, based on a recent psychological study whose results are reported here. It argues that the most adequate solution to this problem will be achieved by a moral algorithm that is based on Confucian ethics. In addition to this philosophical and psychological discussion, the article outlines the mathematics, engineering, and legal implementation of a possible Confucian algorithm. The proposed Confucian algorithm is based on the idea of making it possible to set an autonomous vehicle to allow an increased level of protection for selected people. It is shown that the proposed algorithm can be implemented alongside other moral algorithms, using either the framework of personal ethics settings or that of mandatory ethics settings.

The ethics of research

The ethical problem of research proposes itself beyond any theoretical radicalisation that wants to conclude in a self-sufficient positive science or in a denial of any scientific reality. While man's need to place himself ethically (with a transcendence of himself and the reality that surrounds him) remains alive, the impossibility of conferring theoretical value on a naive ethics based on analogical discourses aimed at supporting, directing and interpreting scientific experience is critically declared.

Selling Sex in the States: Religious Fundamentalism, Christian Nationalism, and Public Acceptance of Moral Problems

The extent to which commercial sex, particularly sex work, should be regulated is an important and controversial policy conversation in the United States. Despite the salience of religion to informing attitudes about morality and bodily ethics, little is known about how some key dimensions of U.S. religion (e.g., religious fundamentalism and Christian nationalism) influence the public’s moral acceptance of prostitution. We investigate this gap using nationally representative survey data ( n = 1,219). Fundamentalist beliefs and Christian statism are both associated with lower moral acceptance of prostitution, adjusting for other religious and sociopolitical characteristics. Disaggregated models also revealed differences in the strengths of these associations by sex. Implications for policy and opportunities for future research are discussed.

The ethical problems of ‘intelligence–AI’

Abstract Interest in artificial intelligence (AI) has grown rapidly alongside the ability to examine information in far vaster quantities and from more diverse sources, and to provide previously unattainable forms of evaluation. For the intelligence community, AI offers an important solution to their data collection bottleneck, allowing the data to be processed and analysed at speeds and in ways not previously possible. While AI has received some general criticism, when it is combined with the reach, secrecy, and coercive power of the intelligence community it creates unique ethical problems. Intelligence–AI exacerbates the biases AI creates, undermines proposed transparency solutions, and creates new ethical dilemmas and harms. This article examines intelligence–AI across its collection, processing, and analysis phases. It argues that open-source does not necessarily mean ethical, as the AI collection en masse of social media data violates citizens' privacy, consent and autonomy. The article also argues that AI-aided categorization is overly reductive and perpetuates harmful social binaries, while also revealing new private information beyond what was initially shared. Finally, it argues that the secretive intelligence environment prevents critical interrogation while promoting practices that, through the coercive power of the state, cause unequal harms across society.

The effect of role play prepared with video support on ethical decision-making and motivation levels of nursing students: A quasi-experimental study.

Background: Since the increasingly complex structure of health care services brings many ethical problems, it is important to use different instructional technologies in the ethical education of future nurses.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of role play prepared with video support on ethical decision-making and motivation levels of nursing students.Research design: A quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design.Participants and research context: The research was conducted in the Nursing Department of a University located in Istanbul, Turkey between October 15 and November 15, 2024. The sample of the research consisted of 3rd year nursing students. Data were collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, the Nursing Dilemma Test, and the Instructional Material Motivation Scale for Single-Use.Ethical considerations: Permission was obtained from Bezmialem Vakif University Non-Interventional Ethical Research Committee and the institution where the study was conducted for the implementation of the research. Written and verbal consent was obtained from all participants in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration.Findings: While there was no difference between the students' Ethical Dilemma Test Principled Thinking pre-test and post-test scores, their Practical Consideration (p = .005) and motivation levels (p = .037) post-test scores were found to be higher. There was a weak but significant negative correlation between academic achievement and pre-test teaching material motivation levels (r = -0.375, p = .041).Discussion: The use of different teaching methods and techniques in ethics education in nursing is important for future nurses to find more practical solutions to the ethical problems they will encounter during patient care.Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that the use of video-supported role play can be effective in teaching ethics courses in nursing education.

Ethical problems of prenatal diagnosis

The progress made in the last decade in the field of fetal pathology diagnostics, through a common interdisciplinary work effort particularly between gynaecologists and geneticists, was evident from the above.