professional responsibility – Diversity Reading List

Bok, Sissela. Whistleblowing and Professional Responsibility

1980, New York University Education Quarterly, 11(4): 2-10.

Categories: Applied Ethics, Business Ethics, Organisational Ethics, Value Theory, Whistleblowing

Keywords: business ethics, corporate culture, professional responsibility, whistleblowing

Expand entry: Added by: Chris Howard

Abstract: Individuals who would blow the whistle by making public disclosure of impropriety in their own organizations face choices of public v private good. These dilemmas, along with institutional and professional standards that might ease the way of whistleblowers, are explored.

Comment: This is a great piece to pair with popular media covering recent acts of whistleblowing (e.g., by Ed Snowden or Susan Fowler), getting students to analyze real world acts of whistleblowing through the framework Bok sets out. The piece doesn't require any significant background in moral theory, and is sure to spark great discussion, particularly if students are provided with real life examples of whistleblowing that they can consider in conjunction with Bok's discussion.

Difficulty: Easy-Intermediate

Recommended use: Introductory

Comments (0): read and add advice on using this text

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share by Email