Deontology | Jotup

Training an animal? An ethicist explains how and why your dog − but not your frog − can be punished

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星期一, 二月 5, 2024

Education, Affection, Hearing, Failure, Anthropology, Research, Human, Deontology, Dolphin, Bird, Child, Food, Dog, Houseplant, Sound, Animal, Conscience, System, Water, Behavior, Perception, Psychology, Thought, Learning, Instruction, Cat, Horse, Elephant, Pet, Cognition, Punishment, Hunting

“Why did you do that?” someone might ask their dog.

Key Points:

“Why did you do that?” someone might ask their dog.
Or we might scold the cat – “Don’t touch that!” – as we move a family heirloom across the room.
As an ethical theorist, I’ve explored these and related questions, including with some of my colleagues in psychology and anthropology.
I would argue it is important to distinguish three types of learning: conditioning, instruction and education.

Conditioning

By repeatedly ringing a bell while presenting food, Pavlov famously induced dogs to salivate from the bell ring alone.
Such learning proceeds merely from associating two types of stimuli: a sound and a snack, in this case.
In operant conditioning, positive or pleasurable stimuli are used to reinforce desired behavior, and negative or painful stimuli are used to deter undesired behavior.

The kind of learning that operant conditioning aims to achieve, however, lacks a crucial ingredient of human punishment: responsibility.
They are trying to drive home that someone has transgressed – that the individual’s behavior merits punishment.

Instruction

It involves a more sophisticated kind of learning: instruction.
One important way instruction differs from conditioning is that an instructor addresses their trainee.
Instruction involves understanding, whereas learning based on mere conditioning does not.

Scientists do not know exactly which animals’ cognition involves understanding, genuine problem-solving and the ability to reason or infer.
An owner should have concern for their pet frog, of course, and care for its needs.
But they do not need to recognize the frog the same way they should recognize a dog: by addressing it, listening to it and comforting it.

Education

Still, scientists do not possess strong evidence that animals have critical thinking abilities or a concept of self, the key requirements for genuine education.
Unlike conditioning and instruction, education aims to enable a learner to explain the world, to evaluate and debate rationales for decisions.

Much of the time, human beings do not concern themselves with these questions, either – but they can.
In fact, caretakers pay great attention to these matters during child-rearing, as when they ask children, “How would you like it if someone did that to you” or “Do you really think it’s OK to act that way?” Assuming that animals do not reflect and criticize, and therefore are not capable of education, I would say that they have no moral obligations.
But that’s not the nature of our relationships with our pets – however tempted we may be to think otherwise.

Jon Garthoff does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Global Corporate Social Responsibility Software Market Report 2023-2028: Focus on Strategic CSR Initiatives, Regulatory Compliance and Reporting, Stakeholder Engagement, and Environmental Conservation

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星期四, 一月 11, 2024

The Global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Software Market is experiencing significant growth, reflecting the escalating importance of sustainable business practices in the corporate landscape.

Key Points:

The Global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Software Market is experiencing significant growth, reflecting the escalating importance of sustainable business practices in the corporate landscape.
CSR software facilitates efficient data collection, analysis, and reporting, empowering businesses to adhere to regulatory requirements, meet stakeholder expectations, and drive positive social change.
Governments and international bodies impose stringent regulations and standards concerning corporate ethics, environmental conservation, and social welfare.
Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Corporate Social Responsibility Software Market.

Red Arrows: narcissism, immorality and lack of empathy are behind the dark psychology that can poison elites

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星期二, 十一月 7, 2023

This revelation was the outcome of investigations into complaints of bad behaviour in this elite organisation.

Key Points:

This revelation was the outcome of investigations into complaints of bad behaviour in this elite organisation.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton said that “behaviour that would be classed as unacceptable was widespread and normalised on the squadron”.
But just because the Red Arrows display discipline and professionalism doesn’t mean all individual members of the team will have those same characteristics.

Lack of self-doubt

In their entrenched macho culture, women in the Red Arrows squadron were viewed as “property”.
Elites are, by definition, highly selected both in terms of skills and psychological characteristics.
In a military setting, such traits include mental toughness, which can also come with a certain emotional coldness.
As I’ve shown in a recent book, emotional displays and expressions of self-doubt are likely to be highly discouraged among elites.

Narcissism

There may be a genetic component to narcissism, but narcissism can develop within an individual over time – and within a culture.
Narcissists are more likely to switch partners because new partners are always better at giving attention and complimenting them than existing partners.
This was no doubt partly down to opportunity and the undoubted glamour of the role, but perhaps also attributable to this narcissistic need.

Elites trust only those who know the score and who have passed the same rigorous selection tests that they have.
They therefore become harder to influence from the outside, where behaviour may be perceived more objectively.

Moral confusion

This, of course, creates a sense of entitlement and privilege, which can further stoke egos of narcissistic people and affect moral decisions.
The belief that you deserve special treatment and are exempted from certain moral obligations can lead to a skewed perspective on right and wrong.
Their insularity means that they are often surrounded by like-minded people who share similar values and perspectives and encourage this.
These social circles can influence their moral compass by reinforcing certain beliefs and behaviour, without the necessary critique.

Geoff Beattie does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Engage, Educate and Empower: The 3 Es to discuss climate change with children

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星期日, 七月 9, 2023

The Canadian wildfires over the last few months serve as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of climate change.

Key Points:

The Canadian wildfires over the last few months serve as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of climate change.
As researchers in climate law and psychology, we believe that it is critical for parents, caregivers and educators to consider discussing climate change with children and youth.

A harmful legacy for future generations

As climate change intensifies, future generations will inherit a profoundly altered planet.
Given its drastic effects, climate change can prompt understandable feelings of anxiety about the future.
A recent worldwide study found that 84 per cent of 16- to 25-year-olds expressed at least moderate worries about climate change.

Children and youth care about climate change

This is important because children concerned with the effects of climate change can inspire pro-environmental behaviours in themselves and others.
These legal challenges show the increasing concerns about the effects of climate change on Generation Z and future generations.

We need to discuss climate change with children and youth

Given that children and youth suffer the consequences of climate change and are called to play a key role in mitigating its effects, it is important to engage in discussions about climate change with them, even when it’s hard.
Parents and caregivers may have different reasons for not discussing climate change with their children.
Despite these concerns, it is important to have open and honest discussions with children about climate change.

The three Es

In thinking about how to discuss climate change with children and youth, remember the three Es: Engage, Educate and Empower.
UNICEF advises initiating discussions about children’s understanding of climate change and their feelings towards it.
The recent wildfires provide an easy example of how climate change affects our daily lives.
These conversations open avenues for parents and caregivers to delve into their child’s hopes and fears regarding our changing environment.
Audrey-Ann Deneault receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Consortium national de formation en santé.

The MPA sets course for carbon neutrality in 2035

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星期二, 五月 9, 2023

Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures, The Grand Quai at Le Havre, Speech, Port of Montreal, Tree, Deontology, GHG, TCFD, Biodiversity, Task force, Climate change, MPA, Transport, Renewable energy, Forestry, COP15

A few weeks after the launch of its Strategic Plan 2023-2027, the Montreal Port Authority (MPA) provided an update on its key objectives for decarbonization, climate change adaptation and land protection.

Key Points:

A few weeks after the launch of its Strategic Plan 2023-2027, the Montreal Port Authority (MPA) provided an update on its key objectives for decarbonization, climate change adaptation and land protection.
These objectives include :
Scopes 1, 2 and 3 absolute GHG emissions, for which the MPA is fully responsible, covering rail operations on its intermodal network, management of its buildings and vehicle fleet as well as its infrastructure works, will be reduced by 55% by 2030, leading to carbon neutrality by 2035.
Scope 3 absolute GHG emissions, for which the MPA is not fully responsible, covering those generated by logistics companies located on Port territory, will be reduced by 40% by 2040, leading to carbon neutrality by 2050.
In pursuit of greater protection of biodiversity, 30% of the territories under the management of the MPA will be protected as a national wildlife area.