PREVIOUS CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS OF THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF ETHICS AND THE PROFESSIONS
1. "The Moral and Religious Underpinnings of Law and the Marketplace" by Professor William F. May (June 1989)2. "Vocation, Career and Profession" by Professor William F. May (June 1989)
3. "Protesting the Menopause" by Dr Joel Wilbush (March 1992)
5. "Teaching Values and Applied Ethics at Tertiary Level" (August 1992)
6. "Death, Dying and Euthanasia" (September 1993)
7. "Genetic Futures - Animals, Plants, Humans and the Environment" (September 1994)
8. "Autonomy, Community and Justice in Bioethics" (September 1995)
9. "Money and the Professions" by Professor William F. May (September 1995)
10. "Morality and the Market: Capitalism and the Moral Life" by Professor John Langan (August 1996)
11. "Regulating the Media: Law or Ethics" (October 1996)
12. "Business, Ethics and the Environment" (July 1997)
13. "Confidentiality and Privacy in Professional and Public Life" (August 1997)
14. "Is There a Decline in Moral Standards: Home, Society, the School?" (October 1998)
15. "Educating the IEC's: An Intensive Summer School in Bioethics" (December 1998)
16. "Buisness, Professions and the Common Good" (July 1999)
17. "Ethics Across the University" (March 2000)
18. "Annual Conference of the Australian Association of Professional and Applied Ethics" (July 2000)
William F. May, the Cary McGuire Professor of Ethics, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA, says the following at the commencement of
this paper:
"This essay deals with the moral and religious underpinnings of the law and then turns to those of the marketplace. I undertake this task, not as a specialist in
either the law or commerce, but as an ethicist. Specialists in applied ethics face a double risk when they attempt to comment on a field of practice.
They occupy the middle of a no-man's land. On one side, experts in theoretical ethics feel that they have done the truly foundational work upon which
applied ethicists abjectly depend. On the other side, practitioners in the law and business worry that applied ethicists do not really know the complexities of their
fields of practice. Thus applied ethicists run the risk of being semi-comic figures, carrying water from wells that they haven't dug in order to fight fires
that they can't quite find".
"I am consoled, however, in this risky enterprise by Machiavelli who, in his dedication to The Prince, asked himself bluntly how he could justify offering advice on the
art of governing to those who were vastly more experienced than he. Machiavelli responded by adroitly comparing himself to a landscape painter, that is, someone who did not himself work in
the woods but whose cognitive distance might throw some fresh light on the forest".
"Writing on this subject in Australia poses for me a second disadvantage. I am not a comparativist. I must therefore deal with the question of the moral and religious underpinnings
of the law and the marketplace as it appears to an observer of the American scene. Perhaps, however, we share enough similarities in heritage to make the basic interpretation
accessible and differences provocative".
For a copy of the lecture contact h.munro@mailbox.uq.edu.au.
See Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility.
See also Biography of William May.
"This essay differs from most of the writing on the subject of professional ethics today. Moralists in
this field deal chiefly with the quandaries that practitioners face. They focus on the ethics of decision making.
Should a lawyer ever divulge a client's confidence to protect a third party? Where must an engineer draw the line between his or her obligations
as an employee and as a professional charged with product safety? How should the nurse and the social worker balance their responsibilities
to the client, the client's family and the agencies for which they work? Under what circumstances, if any, should the physician pull the plug
on the comatose and terminal patient?"
"This essay explores the deeper question of professional identity. Does the professional have a vocation
in the ancient sense of that term or does he or she merely pursue a career? Is the professional merely some sort of hybrid
- part technician and part entrepreneur? For twenty years, moralists have tended to concentrate on the question: what should
professionals do? But the deeper question for the late 80's and 90's may be: who do we claim to be as professionals? Eventually, of course,
an answer to this question of identity will profoundly affect what professionals are willing and unwilling to do."
"In this essay, I will explore the question of professional identity by examining the differing concepts of vocation, career and profession and
by suggesting how the institution of the university and our current marketplace ideas of contract and self-interest fit into these
venerable notions."
For a copy of the lecture contact h.munro@mailbox.uq.edu.au.
See Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility.
See also Biography of William May.
This seminar focussed on historical and cultural factors that affect our understanding of female menopause. Feminist and medical
opinions on hormone replacement therapy were also examined. A shorterned version of the seminar paper was published by Dr Joel Wilbush as
"Confrontation in the climacteric" Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 1994 Vol.87
pp.342-347. At p.342 Dr Wilbush says, "This paper briefly reviews the manner in which Western climateric women have, during two hundred, but mainly last fifty, years confronted their world:
their protests at societal attitudes, their private marital conflicts, their demands of doctors and, finally, their present criticism of them.
It also pays detailed attention to the key concept of 'natural' treatment. Finally it suggests that much of present climateric
confrontation is a displacement activity, born of concurrent conflicting desires for both youth and retirement, rather than aimed specifically
at doctors".
"In this paper," Dr McGuiness states, "I shall examine the role of lawyers in society: trace the scope of their duty of confidentiality and relate it to that role;
and consider the extent to which a lawyer may be ethically justified in breaching the duty of confidentiality owed to a client, because of a greater duty owed to
innocent persons, or to society as a whole. Essentially the thesis of this paper is that the lawyer's duty of confidentiality is sufficiently broad to permit an
accused person to make out a full defence to a criminal charge, and in that regard to consult counsel without fear of disclosure. However, the duty of disclosure
is subject to a number of specific and general limitations which will justify and indeed necessitate disclosure in particular cases. It will be shown that while
legal professional privilege and the duty of confidentiality may be justified on the need to protect the individual against the power of the state, and therefore serve an important constitutional role,
other ethical duties may sometimes over-ride the duties owed to the client. The main thesis is that the limits on confidentiality can be more easily justified if
focused on protecting the innocent from injury than in ensuring the integrity of the legal system".
Topics covered include mandatory disclosures of violent crime; disclosure of fraud; disclosure in order to protect the innocent; disclosure to protect public safety;
disclosure in order to discover the whereabouts of a child; and disclosure of a crime committed by a third person.
For a copy of the paper contact h.munro@mailbox.uq.edu.au.
This seminar provided an interdisciplinary dialogue on how to bridge the gap between applied ethics and the
existing curriculum for educating young professionals. The keynote speaker was Professor Ken Goodpaster from the University of St
Thomas, Minnesota, USA. Goodpaster argued for teachers and students to ask ethical questions. Other contributors brought perspectives from
the teaching of business, legal, medical ethics, as well as the critique of ideology.
The various contributions appear in a book edited by Howard Munro Greed is not Good: Teaching Ethics to Professionals (NSW: Federation Press, 1996).
For a copy of the book contact h.munro@mailbox.uq.edu.au.
This First National Conference on Death, Dying and Euthanasia was co-sponsored by the Australian Institute of Ethics and the Professions, along with the
Provincial Bioethics Centre of the Catholic Diocese of Brisbane. The conference ranged widely over medical, moral, religious, philosophical and psychological issues
involved in care of people with terminal illness.
The various contributors' papers have been brought together in the book edited by John Morgan An Easeful Death: Perspectives on Death Dying and Euthanasia (NSW:
Federation Press, 1996). For more information on this volume see Publications of the Australian Institute of Ethics.
For a copy of the book contact h.munro@mailbox.uq.edu.au.
This First National Conference on Genetic Futures - Animals, Plants, Humans and the Environment
was co-sponsored by the Australian Institute of Ethics and the Professions, along with the
Provincial Bioethics Centre of the Catholic Diocese of Brisbane. The conference examined scientific advances and the ethical,
social, religious and environmental implications of genetic technology.
The Opening Address was given by Dr Robert Cook-Deegan. His subject was The Gene Wars: Science, Politics and the Human Genome. The lecture
abstract states: "The human genome project intends to create genetic linkage maps, physical maps of chromosomes, and substantial amounts of DNA sequence information.
It will also produce many varieties of gene catalogs, databases to store the information, instruments to extract genetic information quickly and accurately from DNA
samples, and informatic techniques for analysing that information. The genome project grew out of a series of technological developments, and quickly became a major new international scientific
effort. The idea for the genome project grew up at several points independently, in each case in the form of a proposal to determine a reference DNA sequence of the entire
human genome. Between 1985 and 1988, this goal was modified to encompass genetic linkage and physical mapping and the ancilliary technologies. The redefined genome
project commanded sufficient consensus among senior molecular biologists to garner government support. The genome project is thus an instance of the scientific
community quickly and effectively generating an idea and securing public funds to carry it out."
"The public discussion that accompanied debate about whether or not to have a genome project created the momentum for another unprecendented development: a parallel research program
to anticipate the social, legal, and ethical impacts of the science in the hope of devising policies to promote benefits and forestall harms. The parallel efforts have spawned
bioethics programs in law, sociology, anthropology, and economics in all nations with genome programs save that of the United Kingdom (where private Nuffield Council has taken
responsibility for the bioethics component)."
"Some of the social impacts of genome research have been predicted and have been the subject of study. These areas include: privacy of genetic information, insurance and employment
use of genetic testing, and social and medical aspects of genetic screening as new genes are discovered. Other areas have been more surprising, and have been relatively neglected in the
research programs: patenting issues, conflicts of interest issues, forensic uses of DNA tests, and the ethnic and cultural sensitivities of population genetics. At least in the United
States, issues related to commercial genome research can be expected to intensify, because private investment in genome research roughly equalled government funding during 1993 and 1994."
For a tape recording of the Dr Robert Cook-Deegan's address contact h.munro@mailbox.uq.edu.au.
Other tape recordings from the Conference include DNA Genetic Diagnosis by Professor Ron Trent and New Genes in Plants - Issues for our Food Supply and the Environment by Dr Jim Peacock.
For copies of these contact h.munro@mailbox.uq.edu.au. For more information
see Publications of the Australian Institute of Ethics.
This conference was sponsored by the Australian Bioethics Association and the Australian Institute of Ethics and the Professions. The keynote
address "Bioethics, the Human Genome Project and our Future" was given by Mr Justice Michael Kirby.
In the course of his address Mr Justice Kirby states, "At the very time when privacy is becoming such an important issue in societies such as our own, along comes a means of intruding into the
very being of individuals and finding out aspects of the individual's genetic makeup which will provide markers, which will in turn provide
accurate predictors of the future medical history of that individual. Should the individual have the absolute right to prevent others from
having access to that information? What principle should govern the right of access to the information? Should a person, for example, sometimes be
under a legal obligation to provide it to others?...What chances of genetic discrimination exist? What if a person doesn't want to know their genetic markers?
Should such information only be provided to the individual at that individual's knowing, informed request?"
Further questions about the use of patents and insurance are also addressed.
For a tape recording copy of the Mr Justice Kirby's address contact h.munro@mailbox.uq.edu.au.
Another tape recording from the conference - an address by Professor William May on "The Debate Over Active/Passive
Euthanasia: Appeals to Autonomy, Compassion, Justice and the Community" - is also available.
In the course of his address, Professor May states, "Let me say that, in general, I am in favour of policies that provide accommodation
for allowing the terminal patient (who requests it) to die, but I have serious reservations about policies that regularise provisions for
mercy killing". Concerning active and passive euthanasia he says, "The existence of exceptional cases that cross the boundary which generally distinguishes one practice from another
does not, of itself, argue against a line between the two practices". Further, "it is a huge irony, and in some cases hypocrisy,
to urge a compassionate killing, when the aged and dying may have been starved for compassion for many of their declining years. To put it bluntly,
a country has not earned, in good conscience, the moral option to kill for mercy, if it hasn't already sustained and supported life with
compassion and mercy. Active euthanasia could be final solution for handling the problem of the aged poor."
For a copy of the tape, contact h.munro@mailbox.uq.edu.au.
A book length copy of Proceedings from the Conference includes topics such as organ donations; surrogacy; health research; legal recognition of transsexuals;
intensive care of new born babies; medical professional privilege; health ethics committees; patient autonomy; rights of people with disabilities; casemix management; and sexuality and ethics
in the medical encounter.
For a copy of the Proceedings contact h.munro@mailbox.uq.edu.au.
In the introductory remarks to this lecture Professor May states:
"Adam Smith noted that the fellow that can be counted on to get up a three in the morning to tend to a sick cow
either owns it or gets paid to take care of it. Norman Mailer, the American novelist, put it another way when he said that the professional writer
is the person who can keep at it, even on a bad day".
"Money is ecumenical: it breaks out beyond the boundaries of the parochial...Money also talks: whether it barks out commands, or it sweet-talks and
persuades. Money mobilises and organises resources and talent".
"But money also has a darker side - it can corrupt, distort, and cruelly exclude. It can vulgarise and distract professionals...It can excommunicate the needy
from access to their services..."
"We live in a society of strangers...How do persons in the modern setting connect? Mostly not through shared interest, but through cash which temporarily connects people
who otherwise may not share common interests...and professionals are part of that platoon of paid strangers who partly substitute for the families, neighbours and friends
who provided services in earlier societies".
"My positive statements about money are more than overbalanced by the negative statements to come."
A tape recording of this lecture is available from the Australian Institute of Ethics. Contact
h.munro@mailbox.uq.edu.au.
See Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility.
See also Biography of William May.
Professor Langan is a graduate of Loyola University and the University of Michigan and has taught and written extensively in business ethics, just war theory, human
rights and nuclear policy as well as theology. He has assisted various corporations in formulating ethics policies, as well as the U.S. government. He is the Rose Kennedy
Professor of Ethics at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University, Washington DC.
See Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University.
The lecture abstract states: "A considerable debate has emerged about the ethical implications of the free market system. To what extent is there a gap between
commonly accepted morality and what happens in the world of business? May this be overcome or should we merely settle for some cynical or sceptical accommodation?
In what ways may we grasp what is going on in markets and large business organisations from a moral standpoint, and how may individual business persons relate this to other areas of their lives?"
For more information contact h.munro@mailbox.uq.edu.au.
For further information on Professor Langan see John Langan. For items
featuring Professor Langan published by the Woodstock Reports see Election '92: The Values Behind the Issues and
Health Care Ethics: Business Aspects.
The Institute held a day-long discussion with practitioners and academics involved in jounalism and media studies on the merits of ethical
or legal regulation of the media and the conduct of journalists. Various professional codes were examined along with questions about enforceability and penalties for breaches of
such codes.
The American Society of Professional Journalists, Greencastle, Indiana, has published a Code of Ethics.
See also EthicNet's Databank for European Codes of Journalism Ethics.
The Insitute convened an evening symposium featuring Professor John Simmons (Head of the School of Engineering, The University of Queensland), Amanda Chadwick (Environmental Adviser, Shell Oil, Queensland), Brian Clark (Air Quality
Adviser, Queensland Conservation Council), Dr William Grey (Philosophy Department, The University of Queensland), and Murray Vincent (Manager Policy Coordination, Department of Environment and Heritage, Queensland Government)
to examine the concepts of environmetnal sustainability and the role that environmental factors play in decision-making in business life.
The Institute hosted a seminar on privacy and confidentiality issues across a number of professional disciplines including medicine, law, the media, social work, the church, accountancy, and public service. The resulting papers
are presently being compiled into a publication of the Institute.
This symposium featured Judge Fred Maguire (President of the Childrens Court of Queensland; Mr Ian
Mackie (President of the Queensland Teachers' Union); and Professor Larry Evans (Chair, Human
Experimentation Ethics Review Committee, The University of Queensland).
The symposium considered various moral questions that has been raised at many different levels of society. For example,
business and politics in Australia has seen various scandals with widespread allegations and criminal convictions being recorded for
financial and other misuse of power. Where does this corruption begin? Is it preventable? Should we lapse into simple moral
relativism or should we be making a concerted effort to change society's moral outlook?
Many young people, in particular, are now lacking a moral compass. Have we lost our bearings? Can they be recovered or must we look at new ways
of moral thinking and education?
The speakers reflected on these issues from a legal, educational and medical point of view.
This Summer School was devised to assist, in particular, members of Institutional Ethics Committees by providing some
background in the field of bioethics. The programme began with a Public Lecture delivered by Professor Warren Reich
(Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University, Washington DC) on the subject of "Constructing Medical Ethics
after Nuremberg: Can Ethics be built on Tragedy?"
This was followed by an intensive round of seminars and tutorials on topics including: human experimentation issues;
ethical theory and practical ethics; social and legal issues; current bioethics topics; the new AHEC Guidelines; genetic experimentation;
death and dying; religion, theology and medicine.
This seminar examined the question of how the various professions (including business, medicine and law) should
respond to the maintenance of the concept of "civil society". Thus, the fact that society confers privileges upon both business
and the professions has allowed them considerable scope to carry out their activities, on the assumption that
part of their role is to contribute to and to assist in the building up of civil society.
Yet, with legal regulation taking over control of both business and professions does this mean that "old fashioned views"
of what professions are about will be jettisoned? Is the service ethic about to vanish? Will economic rationalism and self-interest kill the
professions? Do abuses by individual professional and business people mean that no space remains for self-regulation?
The Seminar was Chaired by Dr John Morgan, Director of the Australian Institute of Ethics and the Professions. Speakers included
Dr Ian Siggins (Former Queensland Health Rights Commissioner); Chief Justice Paul de Jersey (Supreme Court of Queensland);
Professor John Pearn (Paediatrics and Child Health, The University of Queensland);Mr Frank Haly (Director, Suncorp Metway);
Mr Alan Ducret (Queensland Regional Manager, Australian competition and Consumer Commissioner); and
Mr Dermot Dorgan (Development Officer, Catholic Archidiocese of Brisbane Commission for Justice and Peace).
The seminar "Ethics across the University" was held on Friday March 3rd, 2000.
The keynote speaker was noted English philosopher, Professor Brenda Almond,
Professor of Moral and Social Philosophy, Hull University.
Other Speakers were drawn from various Departments at The University of Queensland. These included:
Dr William Grey - Philosophy Department;
"The Moral and Religious Underpinnings of Law and the Marketplace" by Professor William F. May (June 1989)
"Vocation, Career and Profession" by Professor William F. May (June 1989)
"Protesting the Menopause" by Dr Joel Wilbush (March 1992)
"Confidentiality and the Lawyer - The Limits and Conflicts of the Ethical Duties"
by Dr Kevin McGuinness (June 1992)
"Teaching Values and Applied Ethics at Tertiary Level" (August 1992)
"Death, Dying and Euthanasia" (September 1993)
"Genetic Futures - Animals, Plants, Humans and the Environment" (September 1994)
"Autonomy, Community and Justice in Bioethics" (September 1995)
"Money and the Professions" by Professor William F. May (September 1995)
"Morality and the Market: Capitalism and the Moral Life" by Professor John Langan (August 1996)
"Regulating the Media: Law or Ethics" (October 1996)
"Business, Ethics and the Environment" (July 1997)
"Confidentiality and Privacy in Professional and Public Life" (August 1997)
"Is There a Decline in Moral Standards: Home, Society, the School" (August 1998)
"Educating the IEC's: an Intensive Summer School in Bioethics" (December 1998)
"Business, Professions and the Common Good" (July 1999)
"Ethics Across the University" (March 2000)
Prof. John Henningham - School of Journalism;
Ms Donna McAuliffe - School of Social Work & Social Policy;
Dr John McLean - School of Psychology;
Dr John Morgan - Aust. Institute of Ethics and the Professions;
Dr Malcolm Parker - Graduate School of Medicine.
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Last updated: 5/2/02