Ethical Decision Making - Week 1

After attending the first week of class, I've formulated opinions about what I think of ethics and morality in the world of sport. Our first lecture introduced some history of ethical reasoning, including the stories of the Tuskegee Airmen in Alabama. As the first African American bomber squad in the United States, the Tuskegee Airmen were considered to be the first test of segregation laws in America.

An ethical issue example given in class also occurred in Tuskegee, Alabama called the Tuskegee Experiment (1932-1972). Black men were given syphilis in an experiment. Researchers decided to just let the disease run, because they were only interested in the course of the disease over a lifetime. These men ultimately passed on the disease to their wives and children. During this time period, researchers failed to treat their subjects even though it was known in the late 1940s that penicillin would cure syphilis. This event became a topic of discussion during class. What ethical principles were violated in this experiment and how so? In my opinion, this test was completely irresponsible. Researchers were dishonest to their subjects and did not treat them with equality or respect whatsoever.

Making ethical decisions will always depend on our own personal morals; however, it always begins with recognizing the problem. Once we've pinpointed the issue, we have to decide what we value and what principles are important to us. The four main ethical principles in "good" sport are justice, honesty, beneficence, and responsibility. When thinking about an example that relates to all of these principles, I can't help but think of the one and only Lance Armstrong. We were given an assigned reading from the New York Times regarding this athlete and his fight with cancer as well as his fight with steroid allegations. Lance Armstrong has been through so many dilemmas in his lifetime, having to make ethical decisions every day. Many believe he his a hero; he's battled cancer, reached out to his fans, and become a world-class philanthropist. As a great athlete and father, of course he'll have some hard decisions to make. "Some of what makes Mr. Armstrong's character difficult to parse is the blinding sheen of his celebrity." Depending on the decisions he makes, he'll represent a hero or a failure. All ethical reasonings portray your character and can very easily determine what principles you believe in.

So events like this in history help us determine what has been deemed ethical and moral in today's society, and more specifically, sports. In a philosophical viewpoint, ethics regards questions regarding human morality and human duty. When dealing with sports, we usually devote our decision-making to what is ethically right. Ethics is concerned with values, issues, and decisions. Morals, on the other hand, deal with our beliefs and practices about how to live a good life.  These days, ethical issues concern personal conduct and our judgments of moral obligation. In Lance's case, some believe that for all the good he has done, people shouldn't worry about whether or not he's been using performance enhancing drugs. Others believe that no matter how benevolent he has been, taking steroids will never be acceptable. So depending on your morals, what do you think?