Michael Davis | Professional Responsibility: Just Following the Rules

question 25

Multiple Choice

Michael Davis | Professional Responsibility: Just Following the Rules?
Davis criticizes the view that professional responsibility goes beyond merely following the rules of one's code of ethics by necessarily involving certain character virtues. Rather, if a code of ethics is well-written, following these rules means that a professional is acting responsibly. He discusses seven different interpretations of "just following the rules": blind obedience, strict obedience, malicious obedience, negligent obedience, accidental obedience, stupid obedience, concluding with a positive discussion of interpretative obedience.
-Which of the following defines blind obedience?

• A) when we allow our own judgment to be short-circuited by someone else's
• B) when there is a division of labor among those giving and those following a rule
• C) doing what the rule says without concern for context or consequence
• D) when there is understanding about what the rule means and how it functions as a guide to conduct

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Definitions:

Tax Table

A chart provided by tax authorities that displays the amount of tax due based on income levels, used to determine tax liabilities.

Single Taxpayer

A filing status for individuals who are unmarried or legally separated and responsible for filing their own tax returns.

Schedule A

A form used in the U.S. for itemizing tax-deductible expenses.

Mortgage Interest

The interest charged on the loan amount borrowed to purchase a property, a significant portion of monthly mortgage payments.