Problems concerned with recognizing, identifying, analyzing or assessing human needs are investigated by many authors in various approaches. The needs are seen as a problem of social sciences (considering human needs as something that is inextricably linked with the human existence and action). The needs are considered in economy (as one of key engine of market development). The needs are also important factor of engineering activities. The ideas like "Assessment of Needs" are also seen in medical publications (needs of patients). Since a time when I try to implement to scientific debate the idea of "Engineering of Needs", the question concerning the ethical dimension of needs is - on one hand - seen as really important, but - on the other hand - still open.
Please let me know if these references/sites are useful to you:
1. Training needs assessment in research ethics ... - Wiley Online Library
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-8847.2009.00266.x/pdfSimilar
by J ATEUDJIEU - 2010 - Cited by 20 - Related articles
Objective: To assess training needs for biomedical research ethics evalu- ation among ... www.ich.org/LOB/media/MEDIA482.pdf [Accessed 15 Jun 2009];.
2. How a needs assessment study taught us a lesson about the ethics of ...
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40037-017-0356-y
by L Varpio - Related articles
May 30, 2017 - Ethics Global health Needs assessment Safety. Download fulltext PDF. Export
Dennis
Dennis Mazur
Dear Dennis,
Thank you so much for the suggested references, I will read it as a part of my studies.
But - as a matter of fact - asking the question concerning the ethical dimension of needs, I have expected rather "direct" answer from RG colleagues than suggestions of references.
For example: is it ethical to persuade a user that he needs a new model of a TV or a mobile phone if he is a) fully satisfied with the equipment he is currently using and b) is not aware of new solutions? I am thinking here of an ethical value not so much to identify what the needs are but creating them (??)
I believe it's a question of nudging as well. As you may know, since the emergence of the concept of nudging by Thaler and Sunstein, the question is how to design nudges in such a way to achieve a certain target without any bids, bans and monetary incentives.. Often, this boils down to the legitimacy of nudges like any other intervention - whether the central planner actually knows what is good for the person he's targetting. As mentioned, any other intervention has the same issue with legitimacy. Therfore, I believe, there is no clear answer, because questioning the legitimacy would mean that we would need to stop almost any economical activity related to persuade a person.
To me it seems unethical to stimulate in people unnecessary needs. But, the society of consumerism not raises ethical questions. Some time ago I put a question on RG on this issue. See: https://www.researchgate.net/post/The_planned_obsolescence_is_ethically_acceptable
Dear Burak,
I do agree that my question has no ultimate and clear answer, but I am certaainly not questioning the legitimacy. I only try to consider - as an element of scientific debate - existence of borders of legitimacy based in ethical behaviour of decision-makers, creators of goods (including innovations!!) ....
I teach students and some answer of the above question will help me - as i hope - to show my "technology oriented" students some non-technical aspets in their future activities.
Jan
Dear Leonardo,
Thank you so much for the link to your previous question. I have read both the question and anwser with great interest (and recommended it for RG). Anyway, for me - as for active engineer and academic teacher in University of Technology - the problems of ethics are on one hand "slightly exotic" but, on the other hand, I am feeling this kind of issues as important when we educate people for the world of "New Engineering". Therefore, I am sure that the question concerning ethics in various kind of human activities should be repeated as aoften as possible, not only in scientific debate.
I believe that the ethics are not always considered but should be considered when talking about needs. Needs occur irrespective of ethics. Thus, fulfilling all the needs would cause undesirable social problems.
Dear Tatsuo Tabata,
You are absolutely right that the process of occuring of needs is - in some sense - "natural" and not connected with dealing with needs. I see the ethical problems rather in situations where needs not occuring, but are artificially created because of various reasons. It would be - perhaps - interesting to see on market-born activites focussed on creation of needs in the framework of marketing activities. Such a process is also concerned with a class of needs: needs focused on making money. May be this is in contemporary world an upper (dominating) category of needs?
Best regards,
Jan
Great topic. I believe that ethics must be addressed in both clinical and research work.All of the comments are right on topic and correctly point out that without ethical regulations, we can do quite a bit of damage. I include ethics in all units of each course I teach. Reread (or scan) the Belmont report (I attached it below). It shows how many of the situations in this discussion can be violations of ethical principles and might not get past an IRB. Thanks to everyone for contributing.
Dear Ajit,
It is certainly out of discussion that clinical trails have to be carried on concerning ethical conditions a key factor. But what about the needs "beyond the medical"? Should we consider ethical issues when developing and introducing a new product or service to the general market that will, in the first instance, satisfy us by increasing our income?
Best regards,
Jan
Dear Jan,
It is good that you have raised the point of needs, ethics and business. My view below stems from an ongoing organic work of mine about the 'Humane model of business'.
Human needs to be understood as a coexistence of 'material' and 'consciousness'. There can be different names for these two as per the different philosophies, ideologies, religions, beliefs, etc. The needs of both 'material' and 'consciousness' are to be identified. Nagraj (2011) suggests that the needs of the 'material' are limited and temporary, while those of 'consciousness' are unlimited and continuous. In order to achieve the ultimate human goal of 'continuous happiness', both these needs need to be addressed. Businesses have to appreciate the consumer as a human. Once they can think on these lines, there is some possibility for 'holistic value' to be generated (Sharma and Mahendru, 2017). Holistic value addition makes sure that there is value being added to the individuals, families, society and nature.
These are parts of my limited knowledge about it. We can always discuss it further.
Regards,
Gagan
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