Bruce Weinstein, Ph.D
The Ethics Guy™

BRUCE WEINSTEIN... The Ethics Guy™... Syndicated Columnist and TV Ethics Analyst. As seen on:

Bruce Weinstein, Ph.D., is the professional ethicist known as The Ethics Guy. He has appeared as an ethics analyst on NBC’s “Today Show,” ABC TV’s “Good Morning America,” the Fox News Channel’s “O’Reilly Factor,” CNN’s “Lou Dobbs” and “Anderson Cooper 360,” MSNBC’s “The Situation with Tucker Carlson,” CNBC’s “Capital Report,” Bloomberg Television’s “Personal Finance,” and other many programs.

His syndicated column, “Ask the Ethics Guy,” is distributed internationally by Knight Ridder/Tribune. His interactive talks to businesses, military groups, schools, and non-profit organizations across the country show how living an ethical life makes us happier, healthier, and more prosperous.

His latest book, LIFE Principles: Feeling Good by Doing Good (Emmis Books, 2005, $17.95), shows why all of us benefit professionally and personally when we live according to ethical principles.

Dr. Weinstein is the author or editor of four previous books and the author of over 20 articles on ethics. His writings have appeared in, and he has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, Investor’s Business Daily, The New York Observer, Family Circle, Men’s Fitness, Real Simple, the Journal of the American Medical Association, and the in-flight magazines of American Airlines, Delta Airlines, USAirways, United Airlines, America West, as well as Newsweek.com, CNN.com, and FoxNews.com.

He received a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Swarthmore College, a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Bioethics from Georgetown University, and a certificate in Film Production from New York University.

Dr. Weinstein is a W.K. Kellogg National Fellow and lives in New York.

BRUCE WEINSTEIN KEYNOTE SPEECHES & WORKSHOPS

Ethics in the 21st Century: Why Everyone Wins When We Take the High Road
What is the right thing to do? Do ethics vary from person to person, or are there ethical principles that apply to all of us, no matter where we’re from or what we personally believe? Are there right and wrong answers to ethical questions? This practical, interactive presentation from The Ethics Guy, Dr. Bruce Weinstein, begins with a “What would you do?” multiple choice quiz targeted to the needs and interests of the client. Dr. Weinstein then presents the five ethical or “life” principles that have stood the test of time. Revisiting the quiz, he shows how these principles point us in the right direction in each scenario. He ends by asking the audience, “Why should we be ethical?” and, after taking responses from the group provides, his own answer to the question. It is an ethics presentation disguised as a motivational speech. Available as a keynote address (preferred), 2-hour workshop, or 3-hour seminar.

Life Principles: Feeling Good by Doing Good

Ethics After Enron

What Should I Do?: 4 Simple Steps to Making Better Decisions
Based on Dr. Bruce Weinstein’s award-nominated book of the same title, “What Should I Do?” is an interactive talk that presents case studies targeted to the issues confronting the client. Each case study ends with the question, “What should I do?” Dr. Weinstein shows how to work through the problem in four simple steps and arrive at a win-win solution. Available as a keynote address, 2-hour workshop (includes small-group discussions), or 3-hour seminar (includes small-group discussions and practical exercises for each attendee).

LIFE PRINCIPLES: FEELING GOOD BY DOING GOOD
BRUCE WEINSTEIN, PH.D, THE ETHICS GUY™

Ethical dilemmas arise every day--from getting back too much change at the grocery store to issues involving many areas of government, business, health care, and the law. It might even be said that ethical standards tend to fall by the wayside when the pressure is on. Nationally known ethics expert Bruce Weinstein examines how to lead a more ethical, and ultimately more fulfilling, life in his new book, LIFE Principles: Feeling Good by Doing Good ($17.95, Emmis Books).

In this inspiring, practical and highly readable tribute to doing the right thing, LIFE Principles explores how to apply five principles of ethics that are found in every religion and have been instilled in children by their parents for generations:

1. Do no harm
2. Make things better
3. Respect others
4. Be fair
5. Be compassionate

By putting these deceptively simple principles into practice, readers can learn to make better decisions that affect their relationships, their careers and their overall quality of life. Weinstein demonstrates that keeping these core values in mind is not only surprisingly easy to do but by doing so, people will enjoy lives of abundance, integrity and satisfaction.. Q&A sections present ethical conflicts in real-life situations and Dr. Weinstein offers solutions to common problems. Readers can also learn their Ethics IQ by taking a simple test and work to improve their score and their lives.

BULK RATES AVAILABLE: Meeting sponsors often purchase this book in bulk and make it available to every conference attendee. Each book can be stamped with a bookplate that reads, “Compliments of [Sponsor],” along with the sponsor’s color logo and contact information. This makes for both an inexpensive marketing tool for the sponsor and an extra incentive for members of the company or organization to attend the speech! Call Tony Colao at (800)453-2887 for rates.

INTERVIEW WITH THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS,
REALTOR MAGAZINE (CIRCULATION 1.25 MILLION)

This article was published on: 01/01/2006
 
A FEW MINUTES WITH... "Ethics Guy" Bruce Weinstein
- by Chuck Paustian

The right stuff
Author and syndicated columnist “The Ethics Guy” talks about the everyday nature of ethical decisions and why we stray.

With the pace of our world today, it’s easy to take shortcuts. How do we know when we’re confronting an ethical dilemma?
As I discuss in my book, LIFE Principles: Feeling Good by Doing Good (Emmis Books, 2005), when our decision is likely to affect the rights or welfare of another person, we’re asking an ethical question. At stake are such responsibilities as maintaining good relationships with colleagues, protecting others from harm, being fair, avoiding theft, and being true to ourselves. When ethical issues are discussed in the media, they’re often of the “life or death” variety. However, it’s a serious mistake to limit ethics to such extreme matters.

Are there right and wrong answers to ethical questions?
Yes. The answers don’t vary according to who’s asking the question, where we live, or even our religion. When we’re faced with an ethical problem, it’s simply not the case that one response is just as good as another.

What well-known living person would you consider a model of ethical behavior?
Former President Jimmy Carter. Since leaving the White House, he has exerted considerable effort in building homes for the disenfranchised, ensuring fair elections, and inspiring others by example.

Are people obliged to report unethical behavior, such as by a fellow real estate practitioner, if it doesn’t involve them directly?
Yes. A maxim attributed to the political philosopher Edmund Burke says, “All that is necessary for evil to flourish is for good [people] to do nothing.” If we know of wrongful conduct—particularly that which may cause significant harm to others—and we fail to get involved, we are to some degree accountable for the consequences of that misconduct.

What’s the difference between ethics and law?
An action can be ethical but not legal, and vice versa. When Rosa Parks refused to the move to the back of the bus in Montgomery, Ala., that day in 1955, she broke the law but did the right thing. Earlier, slavery was legal, but that didn’t make it right. Ethics is the ultimate standard for deciding how we should conduct ourselves.

What gets in the way of doing the right thing?
Three things. First, fear. When we see people doing something they shouldn’t, we often do nothing because we’re afraid of damaging our relationship with the wrongdoers. Second, guilt. Health-care providers know all too well that when they’re providing care for a patient at the end of life, a family member will often demand that everything possible be done to keep the patient alive, even if the patient had requested that life-sustaining treatment be withheld. It’s guilt, not concern for the individual or his or her wishes, that often motivates the demand to “do everything possible” in these situations. Finally, self-interest. Sometimes we take the low road simply because we’d rather indulge ourselves. When a clerk accidentally gives us $20 too much in change, we know we should give it back. But if there are things we’d like to buy, we might keep it. As the rash of business scandals has shown us, unethical conduct can come back to haunt us. But the bottom-line reason we should do the right thing is simply because it’s the right thing to do.
—Chuck Paustian

COMMENTS BY SPEECH ATTENDEES

“You were a big hit at our spring decision makers conference! Next year we need to make it a longer session.”
- Lynne Carr, Program Director, Georgia Society of CPAs

“Simply fantastic.”
- Matt Ross, Program Director, American Marketing Association (Houston Chapter)

“You got the entire group thinking more clearly and seriously about common ethical dilemmas. Your 4-step approach to resolving such dilemmas provided a simple method that anyone can use. I’d like to invite you back next year. You provide a lesson that bears repeating.”
- David Johnson, Program Director, Cornell University Medical College

“Many of the students mentioned your presentation as the highlight of the term. As student leaders, my students are often faced with making decisions that put them in a tight spot. Your talk on making ethical decisions gave them much of the guidance they need to successfully work through those difficult times.”
- Kelly Warren, Professor of Leadership Studies,Florida Community College-Jacksonville

“Ninety-nine percent of those in attendance indicated that they would recommend your presentation to a friend or co-worker.”
- William E. Yerxa, Executive Director, Continuing Health Education Partnership of Maine

“You have the unique gift of translating incredibly difficult concepts into language that everyone can understand.”
- Israel C. Stein, D.D., Rabbi, Congregation Rodeph Sholom, Bridgeport, Connecticut

“Ethics has the potential to be dry and boring, but your energy, enthusiasm and passion make the topic come alive. Now, more than ever, we need speakers like you to help us grapple with the challenges we face in our professional and personal lives.”
- Jill Sverdlove, President, Gotham Writers Workshop

PRAISE FOR LIFE PRINCIPLES:
FEELING GOOD BY DOING GOOD

“Should be required reading for every level of employee, from the CEO to the sales force and beyond. A must for students in high school, college, and business school too.”
- Rick Frishman, President, Planned Television Arts and Co-Author, Networking Magic and Guerrilla Publicity

"Bruce Weinstein's LIFE Principles are the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule brought up to date and into harmony with the 21st Century. In this complex age they provide a simple framework to make life meaningful and enjoyable."
- Jim Ryan, Anchor, “Good Day New York”, “Fox Television”

“In my line of work, teaching ethics and moral structure to children who have been victimized, and helping them believe that such a structure can be rebuilt in their lives, is the key component to helping them heal and recover.  Dr. Weinstein's book will help all of us in making these lessons a reality.”
- Diana Goldberg, Esq., Executive Director, Children's Advocacy & Family Resources, Inc./Sungate, Denver, Colorado

“Dr. Weinstein explains clearly and concisely why ethical principles are so important in our daily lives.  Perhaps more importantly, he provides a practical framework under which to apply ethical principles and resolve ethical conflicts.  I recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn how to live a better life.”
- B. David Joffe, Esq., Member, Boult, Cummings, Conners & Berry, PLC, Nashville, Tennessee

LIFE Principles: Feeling Good by Doing Good by Bruce Weinstein, Ph.D. has taken ethical behavior to an inspiring level. A captivating and engaging read based on five ethical principles that can easily be integrated into everyday living. The book is packed with excellent ethical questions to which Dr. Weinstein provides sound answers—along with questions that challenge readers to think about what constitutes “Doing the Right Thing.” An uplifting read for all ages and all backgrounds!”
- Edward Sanders, Editor-in-Chief & CEO, Hospitality News

Back to:
Authors
Ethics
Political Issues
Social Issues
The New Workplace