Is Bias Unethical?

A recent article in the online Denver Post written by a (Canadian) clinical psychologist touted the perfection of the Canadian socialized health care system. Analytical facts were presented to illustrate that Americans have no reason to be concerned about Democratic legislation that is being formulated by congress and the president. Many blog comments following this article, however, seem to indicate that most of the facts in the article are not true.

If we assume the majority consensus of the bloggers is true, what are we to believe about the so-called facts presented by the author of the article? Do we assume that the author intentionally lied to make herself look good or to support her opinion? Probably not. Do we assume that she simply made mistakes when presenting her "facts?" Giving her the benefit of the doubt, maybe. Finally, is there a possibility that her words were shaped by personal or professional bias? This is most likely the correct answer.

Some would say that bias is simply one's expression of personal opinion about a subject or situation. Others would say that bias is a lie because it distorts the truth. From Wikipedia.com, here is a definition of bias:

"Bias is a term used to describe a tendency or preference towards a particular perspective, ideology or result, especially when the tendency interferes with the ability to be impartial, unprejudiced, or objective. In other words, bias is generally seen as 'one-sided'."

The truth is that we are all biased about certain subjects, and that isn't necessarily wrong or unethical. When biased statements are made, and represented as fact or truth however, it is wrong and unethical. Bias presented in this way is a lie!

So, you might ask, is my opinion biased? I admit it is biased. Is it wrong or unethical? I believe it is not wrong or unethical because it is based on the absolute truth of the Bible. Romans 1:18: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." One-sided personal or professional bias that is presented as absolute fact is a suppression of the truth and is, therefor, unethical and a lie. What's your opinion or...bias?

Should Ethical Behavior Be Legislated?

When the Sarbanes Oxley Act was passed in 2002, it included a requirement for publicly-held companies to create a code of conduct for managements and employees. The content of such codes set standards of acceptable behavior and included safe-harbor provisions for whistleblowers. Under these codes of conduct, inappropriate behaviors can result in warnings, even termination.

Interestingly, many people believe these mandated codes of conduct do little to change the behavior of employees. While they may define right and wrong for some that don't have a proper understanding, persons prone to unethical behavior will likely behave unethically!

Governments pass laws to define and establish acceptable behavior. The Ten Commandments offer Judeo-Christian definitions of righteousness. Societial norms contribute to some degree of understanding of "good" and "bad." So, many ask, will mandated codes of conduct cause anyone to change their behavior?

Reported on the morning news today, the democratically-controlled House of Representatives censured the use of the words "government-run healthcare." That a governmental body would try to limit free speech is, first of all, a violation of the constitutional rights of U.S. Citizens. Secondly, it is further indication the government is no longer by the people for the people but by factions of the government for the government!

Historically, excessive governmental control has resulted in suppression of the rights of people and/or in rebellion and wars. I remember an old movie, The Network I think it was called. In a near-final scene a man stood at his window and shouted, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" When rules favor any kind of government and become oppressive and unreasonable, cooperation is not the result!

Most will agree we need laws, regulations and even codes of conduct to define behavior. When guidelines restrict personal freedoms for the benefit of governments, managements, political parties, church leaders or individuals, however, there can be no common purpose or unity. The end is division and downfall! What is your opinion?

What You Sit Under Gets on You!

In business we call it the "tone at the top." What leaders do, so will others. If leadership is honest and demonstrates high integrity, followers will behave similarly. On the other hand, the "do as I say, not as I do" philosophy will not produce honesty and high integrity. Like it or not, behavioral norms are shaped by those that influence us, directly or indirectly.

When we work for a company, subject ourselves to government leaders, listen or view biased news media or attend a church we are affected, positively or negatively. I think it was Hitler that said something like, "If you tell a lie long enough it will eventually sound like the truth!" While lying may not be the intention of many partisan politicians today, the disingenuous party line has been spoken for so long it sounds like the truth. For many business leaders, employee motivation techniques have become manipulation. For some religious leaders, serving the needs of others has become empire building instead of Kingdom building.

We can easily become like the frog placed in a pan of cool water. It doesn't recognize the temperature is being increased until it is too late. Our tolerance of lies and unethical behavior of leaders in business, government and religion gradually shapes our belief systems to be like those over us. Our consciences become seared, like with a hot iron, and we become like them! 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 says, "Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."

Let your "Yes" be "Yes and your "No," "No"

The American Dictionary of the English Language by Noah Webster, 1828 Edition, defines "ingenuous" as "open, frank, fair, candid, and free from reserve, disguise, equivocation or dissimulation." "Disingenuous" is the opposite.

In today's politics and news reporting, the word "spin" has become synonymous with the word "disingenuous," at least in reference to spoken and written words. Questions asked are rarely answered with direct answers. Answers are designed to be non-answers and to direct listener's attention to a person's position, belief or dogma. We may hear partial truths or outright lies designed to cover the truth. Leaders may be saying one thing while their staff persons are doing the opposite. This is "spin" and it is "disingenuous!"

A passage of Scripture in Matthew 5:33-37 concludes with this: "But let your 'Yes" be 'Yes,' and your 'No, 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." "Spin" has become normal for today's communications and, because prominent people do it, much of society accepts it as permissible. Here's the truth. "Spin," or "disingenuous" words, are LIES! Deceitful, dishonest or criminal are progressive adjectives describing the "spin" that cloaks private agendas of politicians, political parties and others in our society today.

I'm ashamed to admit that, occasionally, I have fallen prey to this societal norm. How about you?

The Ethics of the Blame Game

A recent television commercial features business persons in a meeting discussing their competition's market advantage. One person makes the suggestion they take turns blaming others as he turns to the person across the table and says, "I'd like to start by blaming (name of person)." Intended as humor, this scenario is deeply serious! Sadly, the blame game affects us all.

In our country and others, what we believe often becomes the definition of who we are. Once we've adopted a belief system, we must defend that system because we must defend ourselves. When our beliefs are challenged, we retaliate. Some times we attack the beliefs of others and sometimes we blame our perceived adversaries for the fruit of our own mistakes.

As old as time, this unethical behavior began with the first man in the Book of Genesis. He blamed the woman; the woman blamed the serpent. The fear of being wrong and the pride hidden in our hearts results in regular episodes of the blame game.

From corporate managements to political leaders, news reporters and sometimes you and me, the name of the game has become blame. The Book of First John, chapter 1, verse 8: "If we say we have no sin (wrong), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." Ethical behavior will always cause us to "fess up" when we are in the wrong, not just when we are caught and exposed!

Perhaps our society has come to think that it's alright to be a "little" unethical if it can be justified by the end. In other words, a little blame is permissible if it enables us to achieve a good end. I once heard this on-point analogy: Walking into a convenience store to buy a bottle of water, we begin to read the labels. One bottle says 100% pure spring water. Another says 99.5% pure spring water and .5% sewage. Which one would you buy?

Has Right Become Wrong?

You've undoubtedly seen, heard or read the media feeding frenzy over the resignation of Gov. Sarah Palin. An NBC interviewer last evening used her pre-designed questions, facial expressions and demeanor to paint the governor as a quitter at the end of her political career. Finally, Gov. Palin said, "You're not listening to me," as she explained again her reasons for leaving office. At the top of the list was her desire not to burden the people of the State of Alaska with the time and cost of defending herself against unfounded, outrageous allegations. She explained she could not do her job effectively and deal with the piranha attacks at the same time. Putting aside her future possibilities she has made a decision to do the right thing, even to her own hurt!

Contrast this with President Obama who, during his first term in the Senate, spent most of his time campaigning for president instead of fulfilling his sworn duties of office. I don't remember him offering to reimburse you and I for the amount of the salary he received while pursuing his presidential aspirations. Was there a media outcry over this misuse of public funds? Of course not! When an unethical practice has become the norm, no one notices. When someone does the right thing, it is an abomination!

Proverbs 14:12: "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." So, what do you think? Has right become wrong?

Is Man's Wisdom Enough?

You've heard sayings like, "Experience is the best teacher" or "Practice makes perfect." Old proverbs, some would call them. The question for today is, "Are these sayings really true?" Another way of phrasing the question would be, "Are our own experiences and efforts all we need for success in life or business?"

I suppose the answer depends, at least in part, on our definition of success. For many in the U.S., success is defined as wealth, position, possessions and sometimes philanthropy. In third world countries, it may simply be food for one's family. In the eternal view of things, the measure may be the fruit of our lives, i.e., how did we use what we earned or were given to serve mankind.

Here is a paraphrase of what I remember a preacher said once , "I've visited many self-made men and women as they lay on their death beds and I can't remember one of them expressing remorse that they didn't spend more time working. Their remorse was almost always for not spending more quality time with their friends and families."

Man's wisdom may say success comes from working harder and longer than others, from putting one's career above the needs of others or from using other people as stepping stones to success. God's wisdom says in Proverbs 3:5-7, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil."

So, is man's wisdom enough? What would you say?

Wisdom--The Pathway to Success

Whether or not one believes God created the earth and all that is in it, most can agree we all have an internal sense of right and wrong. Previous blogs have discussed how our thinking and actions are affected by our life experiences, good or bad. We all possess, however, an inner source of information that equips us to do the right thing. Many call that source "Wisdom."

When we make mistakes, Wisdom has either become clouded by past bad behavior or decisions, we seek to do what we want no matter what, or we are in too much of a hurry to listen to our consciences. Seeking and applying Wisdom will create a pathway to our success.

Wisdom is sometimes defined as the application of knowledge or understanding. However you may define Wisdom, it is a life ingredient that shapes our character, i.e., teaches us to do what is right.

Bobby is an old friend that has run an automobile repair business in a rural community for decades. In serving his customers, his policy is to honor his customers, even to his own hurt. He shared once that after replacing an engine in an expensive car, the owner ignored the new engine warning indicators for several weeks until it caught fire. The customer, of course, blamed Bobby for faulty installation. Rather than contend with and loose the customer, Bobby replaced the engine free of charge. While this wouldn't appear as Wisdom to some of us, Bobby's decision kept this customer and the word-of-mouth advertising brought him many more.

When we find Wisdom, it often takes courage and discipline to act on it. Bobby's decision to replace the engine free of charge dug deep into his business profits but he knew it was the right thing to do. Proverbs, chapter two, verses 10-11: "When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you,..."

Doing the Right Thing is Always a Choice!

I volunteered for several years to counsel inmates in a Colorado prison. Every inmate was incarcerated because of bad choices. Most didn't learn from their mistakes and soon returned after their release. Many had knowledge of right and wrong but, for a myriad of reasons, chose to ignore the wisdom the consequences of their mistakes afforded.

Most of these prisoners had justified their crimes in their minds. They blamed others for their wrong and minimized their responsibilities for doing the right thing (some call this the victim mentality). The truth is they ignored that still small voice some call our conscience. In fact, after living a life of wrong choices most of their consciences had been dulled or even had become nonexistent.

In Proverbs, chapter 1, verses 20-33, the consequences of wrong choices become clear. Every human being is created with an internal sense of right and wrong; we can call it Wisdom. Whether or not a person believes in God is not the point. Deciding to break our pattern of wrong decisions is. When this happens we begin to trust the Wisdom within and we can chose the right thing!