Applied Ethics in Agriculture

Sociology/Economics 362

Paul Lasley and Arne Hallam

Fall, 2009

“Character is not the same thing as reputation. Character is what you are. Reputation is what people say you are.” Josephson, 2002

Why we got involved in the study of ethics in agriculture

About 13 years ago Phil Baumel and Paul Lasley began a series of studies that focused on ethics within farm cooperativesGrant from Farmers Cooperative ServiceFindings from the Iowa Farm and Rural Life PollTeaching a new course, Sociology/ Economics 362X, first offered fall, 2002

What do you suppose coop managers and board members told us about ethics in agriculture?

Cooperative Managers and Board Members Identified Several Areas of Ethical Concern

Shirking responsibilities

Business dealings with friends, relatives, or competitors

Sales incentives

Pricing policies

Illegal Practices

Why have ethical standards declined?

Reasons given for unethical behaviour

Extreme pressure to show a profitNo board oversight on managementToo much competition that it is unhealthyBusiness is too complex for a lay boardFewer farmers, greater business, more incentive to retain them as membersYoung farmers lack appreciation of cooperativesTough economic times on the farm contributed to erosion in ethical standards.

What do you think Iowa farmers told us?

Do you suppose they agree that ethics have declined among farmers?

Can you provide examples?

What Iowa Farmers Told Us(2002 Farm Poll, n=1942)

At one time a person’s word was as good as a signed contract; now you must get it in writing. 93% somewhat or strongly agreed

In general, ethical standards in society have declined. 87% agreed

What farmers told us

I used to take a persons’ word as measure of his/her honor, but now-a-days you can’t always simply accept what a person tells you. 85% agreed.

One reason ethical standards have declined is that people have lost respect for authority. 70% agreed

Often people admit they are not being ethical in paying the full amount of their taxes. 49% agreed.

What farmers told us

Even among friends and neighbors, I am concerned that they no longer feel obliged to honor their word. 37% agreed

Farmer’s ethical standards have declined. 57% agreed

The widespread decline

Where are ethical lapses most recognized?

How have ethics changed?% Decline in past 10 years

Clergy 24%Neighbors 31Local Merchants 36Local Agribusiness 37Lenders 41Farmers 45Youth and young adults 68Local elected officials 70Elected state officials 72

Some guides to determine if an action is ethical

1. The Golden Rule, “you act in a way that you would expect others to act toward you”

2. The Professional Ethic, “You take only those actions that would be viewed as proper by an objective panel of your professional peers”

3. Kant's Categorical Imperative, “Ask yourself, “What if everyone behaved this way?”

4. Child on Your Shoulder, “Would you proudly make the same decision if your young child were witnessing your choice?”

5. TV Test, Could you explain and justify your actions to general television audience?”

Some guides to determine if an action is ethical

Some guides to determine if an action is ethical

6. The Des Moines Register Test, “Would you like your friends and neighbors to read about this?”

7. The How will it Affect Me Test. “What does it do for me? What does it do to me? “What will I think of myself?”

Four simple questions

Could you or someone else suffer physical harm?

Could you or someone else suffer emotional pain?

Could the decision hurt your reputation, undermine your credibility, or damage important relationships?

Could the decision impede the achievement of any important goal?

What happens when there is not adherence to a code of ethics?People begin to “cut corners”

Most unethical and illegal activities start small

Rationale or justifications often include, everyone else is doing itErosion in ethics brings about greater regulation because trust has been violatedRules, regulations and laws reflect the formalization of ethics

Erosion in Ethics=Distrustful Culture

Where people no longer trust each other

Where extreme individualism is primary

Where people no longer know each other

With diminished respect, trust and cooperation, there are calls for regulations to monitor or regulate behaviours/actions

Symptoms of Distrust in Agriculture

Legal representation

Formalized contracts

Fear of Liability—liability insurance

Less personal contact—fear of strangers

Formal communication

Suspiciousness

Need to Emphasize Ethics in Farming

What would a professional code of ethics in farming look like?

Who should take the lead in drafting such a document, and how it could be used?

The Need for a Code of Ethics in Farming

Evidence is there has been an erosion in ethicsThe erosion in ethics has contributed to loss of trust, and consumer confidence, and calls for more regulations. A code of ethics might restore confidence and farming could be viewed a leader in pursuing higher ethical standard.

THE CHALLENGE OF THIS COURSE

The challenge is how can agricultural producers begin to develop a code of ethics that would define professional farmers.

As future leaders in agriculture, we hope this course will contribute to your ability to make ethical decisions.

Let’s get started