Ethics 101: To re-use or not to re-use?

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by CircularLogic

My answer to the last question of "is it acceptable to dodge a rule you simply dont like" is yes. I do believe that too many people are into the cult of FIRST ...When people are too caught up in the cult of FIRST, I feel that we miss the important parts of the program as in the actual robotics part of it.

Your answer reminds me of what an acquaintance said when asked what was his definition of a cult: "A cult is any religious group I don't like."

I see a serious problem with your answer, however. When people "dodge" a rule they "simply don't like," the results are often damaging to society. Political scandals, felonies, skyrocketing teen pregnancy rates, automobile fatalities--these are often consequences of people breaking rules they "simply don't like." Calling the party that sets the rules a "cult" (or any other label) does not justify breaking the rules--particularly if you participate in that group voluntarily. The only ethical grounds for deliberately breaking a rule is when the rule violates a higher standard.

People with long experience in FIRST know that sometimes the rules could be more clearly written, and there is often room for interpretation. But breaking rules merely for personal convenience is more than a failure in exercising Gracious Professionalism--it is an attitude that can lead to anarchy, a society in chaos.