Chapter 6: Robin Hood Ethics


OVERVIEW

Do not do an immoral thing for moral reasons.

”Thomas Hardy

Robin Hood was a utilitarian ethicist ”or perhaps more accurately, he justified his actions by using utilitarian principles. In case you've forgotten, Robin Hood stole from the rich (stealing in general is and was considered immoral, never mind illegal), to give to the poor (what kind of knave would consider giving to the poor to be anything but good?). There is much that public relations practitioners could learn from delving further into the morality of Robin Hood's decision. It might come in handy.

Indeed, perhaps Edward Bernays was calling upon the ethical principle of utility when, in response to the mid-20th-century, post-war doom and gloom, he is reputed to have said, ˜The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in a democratic society. Others might consider this kind of statement to indicate that he was an elitist pimp rather than simply a man who saw that the end justified the means in this case. This brings us to the focus of this chapter: the usefulness of the principle of utility as a guiding precept in making ethical decisions in public relations. Although this book does not purport to present an exhaustive survey of philosophical underpinnings, the principle of utility has become so ubiquitous, often spuriously so, as a rationale for questionable actions in our society that it warrants a closer examination by public relations.




Ethics in Public Relations. A Guide to Best Practice
Ethics in Public Relations: A Guide to Best Practice (PR in Practice)
ISBN: 074945332X
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 165

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