Is it ethical to observe people you don't know and form opinions about them?

Answer 1

I dont think ethics has much to do with unless your making radical judgements against people that might lead you to hate. Its human nature to observe and make a hypothesis. for instance you see a guy in a suit with a briefcase and shined itallian leather shoes its with reason to think "hes a professional with a lucrative career". Most people feel passionately about something and they carry themseleves accordingly. They want to project what they are about. But to see someone with a turban and olive skin and say "hes a radical muslim who secretly funds terrorism would be completely unreasonable and unethical. I am a black male so I get alot of judgements its especially during the holiday season. I was at the mall in the parking lot walking to my car and this white lady clucthed her purse and moved it away from my direction. she walked waaaaaaay out of my way. I looked at her and rolled my eyes. But I get that alot..lol

Answer 2

I am assuming that by the term "ethical" you mean moral and subsequently good, right etc...I do not think that it is ethical but nor do I think it unethical. Popular opionion would say that it is unethical or at least that you are not permitted to make observations about them. One is constantly bombarded with "You dont know me!" and of course 'Pac's ever so thought through statement "Only God can judge me" which leads us to think that no one else can. When in fact I judge peopel every day, as do you and your neighbor and the guy down the street. It is nearly impssible to not make observ people and form opinions about them. We all have fairly unique perspectives and through these lenses we view and interpret the world around us. This cannot be unethical because we cannot help it. However what I do think is wrong is to judge or form opinions about people prematurely, (when it is no longer premature i cannot tell you) however, if I see a an African American male on the street and he is dressed within the stereotype I do not think it is correct for me to immediatly decide the he is part of gang, sells crack, can play basketball, and probably did not graduate from highschool. I cannot classify people that way, it is immoral. However on the other hand if i see a person on the street acting foolish it is probaby a correct assumption that they are fools. We make assumptions, judgements, and form opinions about people all the time, what we cannot do, is decide that they are the aboslute truth. There is no way the we can know that. We have to allow the opinions we form to be changed. We have to accept that the conclusions we come to may be wrong, and if they are contradicted we must change them, if we do not then it is unethical.

Answer 3

It depends on what opinions you're forming and from what observations. Simply watching people can't tell you everything you can, or should, know about them.

If you see someone riding a bike, it is quite fair to form the opinion that they know HOW to ride a bike. But if you conclude that they LOVE to ride the bike, you could be wrong. Perhaps they hate bikes, but are too young to drive a car - or can't afford to buy a car.

It's not too hard to read more into a situation than is actually there.
If you don't understand everything about what you're observing then you may easily form false conclusions or opinions.

Where ethical comes into the picture would be when your (rightly or wrongly formed) opinions have some improper negative effect, or even some improper positive effect on the observed party. That's called bias or prejudice (fore or against).

Ethics involves the best course for all to take - resulting in the least conflict. Respect can be another word for it. Would forming the opinions you're describing lead to more or less conflict for the overall "group"?

Answer 4

I wouldn't go so far as to say it is altogether "unethical". If you repeatedly observe the same person doing something, or many things for that matter, you are probably going to form some opinion of that person. Not knowing them doesn't make this more or less ethical. It's an opinion based on those actions that you have observed. Conversely, it doesn't make you "right", either.

Answer 5

It's very hard not to, I think the human brain just does that all the time. Also if those opinions are correct then does it matter? And conversation and more learning can simply correct errors of judgement.
Is it ethical? I don't think it unethical providing no negative action is taken based on presumptions which we do seem to make so naturally.

Answer 6

OF COURSE!

But don't try to punish them, and it's best if you don't let them know what your opinion is.

I see some silly girl cussing out her boyfriend in public, for example, and I am going to have the opinion that I am really really glad she isn't MY girlfriend.

I am not going to tell her though. Not her, not anyone.

If I see some person clobbering their kid in public, I am not going to step in unless I see blood or hear a bone snap. Then I imagine I would do something. So far I haven't had to do this and I hope I never do.

The point is that there is nothing unethical about having an opinion. The unethical part is when you try to step in and mess with others and try to make them see it your way. That's unethical.

You could say a prayer to yourself for people whom you think might benefit. Nothing unethical there.

Answer 7

What's NOT ethical is to observe people you don't know, form opinions about them, and speak aloud your opinions without due consideration of what you're saying and how and when and why and to whom.

Answer 8

Ethical? No. According to ethics, you should not judge a person by what they look like. And judging is making an opinion. They are synonyms.

Answer 9

You can learn a lot about people by the say they look, but you should reserve judgement until you know who they are on the inside.

Answer 10

ABSOLUTELY !! For what people do, makes them who they are. We can tell ALOT about a person / people simply be observing!