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Created and managed by Carnegie Council Senior Program Director and Senior Fellow William Vocke, Global Ethics Corner is a weekly 90-second segment devoted to newsworthy ethical issues.
Also in the Global Ethics Corner series
Global Ethics Corner: Weighing Privacy Against National Security
(02:08)
From: Carnegie Council
The recent revelations that the NSA is collecting cell phone and Internet data from millions of Americans has left many asking questions. Is this action necessary for ...
Global Ethics Corner: Are Secret Recordings Ethical?
(02:13)
From: Carnegie Council
Secret recordings have been a headache for some high-profile politicians. Many question the morality of the practice, especially when the media gets involved. Do public ...
Global Ethics Corner: The Private Sector and Cyber Security
(02:17)
From: Carnegie Council
With U.S. companies losing billions of dollars to intellectual property theft, mostly to China, some are suggesting that corporations fight back. Can the government do more? ...
Global Ethics Corner: Why Does the EU Care About Olive Oil?
(02:20)
From: Carnegie Council
A proposed EU ban on the use of dipping bowls and refillable glass bottles of olive oil in restaurants has people asking questions. Is this more useless meddling from the EU ...
Global Ethics Corner: Who Does Everest Belong To?
(01:59)
From: Carnegie Council
A fight on Mt. Everest between Nepalese Sherpas and European climbers has again raised questions about tourism and the world's tallest mountain. Should the Sherpas, who live ...
Global Ethics Corner: Food for Peace?
(02:12)
From: Carnegie Council
Food for Peace, which ships American farm products to developing nations, has long been criticized for crowding out local agriculture. Now, to the dismay of the U.S. farming ...
Global Ethics Corner: Should Childhood Vaccinations Be Mandatory?
(02:05)
From: Carnegie Council
Childhood vaccination programs have been met with skepticism and hostility in the U.S. Some oppose them on religious grounds, while others worry about preservatives. Do ...
Thought Leader: Dan Ariely
(03:41)
From: Carnegie Council
"The good news is that we're figuring out some of the big mistakes people are making, and if we figure out in time, we can try to fight that and actually do things in a ...
Global Ethics Corner: Was the Boston Lockdown Justified?
(02:09)
From: Carnegie Council
As authorities searched for one of the Boston Marathon bombers, the city of Boston and its suburbs were put on lockdown. Was this action justified? Does this set a dangerous ...
Global Ethics Corner: What’s Going on in Guantanamo Bay?
(02:02)
From: Carnegie Council
With over half of the detainees on a hunger strike, tensions are worse than ever at Guantanamo Bay. Is it finally time for the United States to close this detention camp? Or ...
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Piece Description
Created and managed by Carnegie Council Senior Program Director and Senior Fellow William Vocke, Global Ethics Corner is a weekly 90-second segment devoted to newsworthy ethical issues.
Transcript
When disaster strikes, relief operations' managers must make difficult decisions with a sure hand. The proper distribution of resources and personnel is critical when it comes to saving lives and delivering essential services. A few minutes may make the difference between life and death.
Yet, many residents ignore mandatory evacuation orders, potentially exposing rescue workers to risks and diverting resources. Is it ethical to abandon them, knowing the danger they face, their needs?
Some argue that the rights of first responders should have priority. But, can we be sure that those who stay behind do so out of bravado or spite? Some may not get the warning or stay out of fear, infirmity or disability.
We enter a slippery ethical slope when we begin to make distinctions between victims. When can an individual's rights be set aside?
When emotions are high, time is of the essence, and l...
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