New Paper available by CSEP Fellow Robert Ladenson

CSEP has recently made available two new publications by CSEP Fellow, Dr. Robert Ladenson under a Creative Commons license.

Critical Attributes of Good Process Decisions: A Guide for the Reflective Special Education Hearing Officer
Robert Ladenson

This monograph offers guidance for special education due process hearing officers in their efforts to write good due process decisions. It has four sections dealing respectively with:

- summary and explanation of factual findings;
- justification of legal conclusions;
- framing and determination of rulings and orders;
- writing choices in a special education due process opinion as to word selection, organizational structure, style, rhetoric, and tone.

The monograph is not intended to replace, but instead to supplement, the use of comprehensive summaries of substantive and procedural special education law. It aims to address an essential, yet presently unmet need – for an educational approach that helps special education due process hearing officers to focus critical reflection upon processes involved both in thinking through issues in a case and finding words to express the conclusions arrived at in writing a decision.

Summer Hours

The Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions will be open Monday-Friday, 9-5 through the summer sessions at IIT. Due to the variety of summer programs we are involved in during this period, it is best to make an appointment if you would like to speak with the librarian or someone else at the Center by contacting us at csep@iit.edu or at 312.567.6913.

Thanks!

Are Dolphins too Intelligent for Captivity?

A new article in the latest edition of Science Magazine , as well as an accompanying podcast discuss a new movement that seeks to end all dolphin research in zoos and aquariums. Research has shown that dolphins can recognize their own reflections- a self-awareness test that only chimpanzees and human routinely pass. These findings, however, raise an unsettling question, if dolphins are potentially as self-aware as humans, how can we keep then in captivity? Do they deserve to have some basic rights protected by law?

On the flip side, captive research of dolphins is both the best way to learn about the intelligence of these creatures, as well as learning about how to protect them in the wild. Its these same captive studies that have lead to our greater understanding of dolphin intelligence, physiology, and our ability to quickly rescue stranded dolphins. Researchers worry that if we end captivity for dolphins, the field of dolphin cognation will also end.

Lori Marino, a researcher who has worked extensively with dolphins, has banded together with scientists, activists, and philosophers to draft the "Declaration of Rights for Cetaceans"

What are your thoughts? Are dolphins deserving of greater protections when a part of research then say, dogs or other large mammals? If so, what kinds of regulation would you support?

Nuclear Power and Public Safety

We at the Ethics Center have been watching with the rest of world as events have unfolded at the Fukunshima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan, and looking at what lessons can be learned for how we can best manage the dangers associated with nuclear power in the future.

In the interim, here are some links to news articles and other commentary on events in Japan, as well as questions and concerns being raised about public safety and nuclear power in the U.S. and elsewhere.

For a summary of events and coverage from the New York Times, see Nuclear Energy - Crisis in Japan

Latest coverage from the BBC of latest concerns that radioactive water may be leaking from the Fukunshima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, as well as links to related coverage of story.

Understanding Japans Nuclear Crisis - a quick, easy to understand run-down on what is happening from Wired Magazine, last updated on March 18th.

The Scientist is publishing a series of articles called "The Fallout at Fukushima" covering how the released radiation may impact Japan in the weeks, months and years to come.

Part 1: What risks does Japan face as a result of radiation leakage from the nuclear power plan hit by the recent earthquake and tsunami?

Part 2: Are the workers at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi power plant at risk of genetic mutations that could cause cancer or hereditary effects?

Part 3: What impact with Japan's nuclear woes have on the country's ecology and agriculture?

The Washington Post has also published an interesting article talking about daily work in a U.S. nuclear power plant by the Chesapeake Bay, and their constant attention to safety.

Spring Break Hours

The Ethics Center Library will be open regular hours, 9-5 on Monday-Friday, during IIT's spring break which runs from March 14-18th.

Limited Access to Center Library

The faculty and staff of CSEP will be away at the annual meeting of the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics from March 3-6th. For access to the library, please ask for assistance from CSEP student assistants in rooms 204 or 206. For help with reference questions, please email the Center Librarian at laas@iit.edu, and she will get back to you as soon as possible.

The Long Island High School Ethics Bowl Competition

The New York Times recently reported on the second Long Island High School Ethics Bowl Competition held on February 12th in which teams from eight area high schools discussed cases looking at wide range of ethical issues ranging bioethics to business ethics.

The Ethics Bowl combines the excitement and fun of a competitive tournament with a valuable educational experience for students. Developed by CSEP Fellow Robert Ladenson in 1993 as a small intercollegiate event at IIT, the Ethics Bowl has grown exponentially over the past 18 years. Along with the APPE Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl in which over 100 colleges and universities compete, many other smaller competitions have begun, including a number of High School Ethics Bowls supported by the Squire Foundation, the Society for American Anthropology Ethics Bowl, and Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges Ethics Bowl.

CSEP is looking to put together a team to compete in the APPE Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl for Fall 2011. Please let us know if you might be interested by emailing us at csep@iit.edu.