is it ethical for sociologists to deliberately deceive people in the name of scientific research?
2007-02-11 06:14:45 · 7 answers · asked by m m 3 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
Deceit Is never ethical.
2007-02-11 06:23:09 · answer #1 · answered by oldmanwitastick 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Whatever means one has to resort to to achieve the intended goal will always be "ethical" to him or her at that time. Even Joseph Mengele thought he was doing right. "Ethics" only become questioned by others on the outside at a later time. Ethics don't really apply to the here and now.
Your question could thus be re-written as the statement "no matter what you do in life, good or bad, *someone* will always say you were wrong to do it". The problem is, you can't go through life worrying about how history will record you fifty years down the line. You have to do the job that needs doing TODAY and hope that you look good for having done it later on.
Sociology isn't a hard science. There is no set limit where "right" becomes "wrong". Two plus two doesn't work here. What you have is a thin curtain dividing the good from the bad and lots of people who move that curtain back and forth to suit their own needs.
What looks good to you today will probably not be viewed in the same light tomorrow. Does that make it wrong, though?
2007-02-11 11:51:11 · answer #2 · answered by randkl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as all is cleared up in the end.
Stanley Milgram's infamous experiment revealed quality information the power of authority can have on a person, but because the subjects were not told the truth after some actually committed suicide believing that they had inflicted a lot of pain on another person.
2007-02-11 08:07:37 · answer #3 · answered by Ashley 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
.sociologist attempt to evaluate societies norms and abnormalities, and never to deceive, it's all about what is known. and there is never an attempt to change anyone, but increase the awareness of an social deviation or increase of societies practices.
2007-02-12 13:04:38 · answer #4 · answered by kramaster 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the decit is going to harm the person, then yes, if it is required, and can be resolved later... then i wouldn't call it ethical, but necessary. I hope your experiment goes well.
2007-02-11 11:01:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anna 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1st, only if the research is important and going to be used for something.
then, only if the decieit is necessary in order to complete the research.
and finally, only if the deceit doesn't harm the ppl involved.
2007-02-11 09:19:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Deceit is deceit, no matter in what context it is used.
2007-02-14 20:30:25 · answer #7 · answered by Bethy4 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋