1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science
and Technology
Ethics Day presentation – September 16, 2015
Andrew Rudin, Managing Principal, Contrary Domino, Inc.
arudin@contrarydomino.com
@contrarydomino

2. 1. How does ethics play a role in your
job/field?
2. How does ethics affect the community
that you are a part of?
3. Have you ever encountered an ethical
dilemma and how did you handle the
situation?

3. 1. How does ethics play a role in your
job/field?
2. How does ethics affect the community
that you are a part of?
3. Have you ever encountered an ethical
dilemma and how did you handle the
situation?

4. 1. How does ethics play a role in your
job/field?
2. How does ethics affect the community
that you are a part of?
3. Have you ever encountered an ethical
dilemma and how did you handle the
situation?

5. 1. How does ethics play a role in your
job/field?
2. How does ethics affect the community
that you are a part of?
3. Have you ever encountered an ethical
dilemma and how did you handle the
situation?

6. Tobacco industry – Virginia
- Global health issue: Asia, Middle East, Eastern Europe
versus
- Corporate revenue needs, shareholder interests, jobs

7. Tobacco industry – Virginia
- Global health issue: Asia, Middle East, Eastern Europe
- Corporate revenue needs, shareholder interests, jobs
Firearms manufacturing
- Lethal product, used in crimes and criminal activity
versus
- Legal to manufacture and distribute, also used in
public safety, jobs

8. But the FDA has
no rules or
restrictions that
prevent
advertising on TV
or radio . . .

9. Structured Settlement
Protection Act (2000):
“These companies are
getting around the
intents of the law. . . .
And when that
happens, people get
hammered.”

11. What students want from potential employers
Business
1. Leaders who will support my development
2. Secure employment
3. Leadership opportunities
Engineering
1. Innovation
2. Creative and dynamic work environment
3. Secure employment
Humanities
1. Ethical standards
2. A creative and dynamic work environment
3. Respect for its people
Source: 2015 Universum.com survey of 80,000 students

12. If you remember anything from today, please
remember these: *
* You won’t find them in any textbook . . .

13. 1. In ethics, the biggest issue is not believing
you’ll encounter dilemmas.
2. Bad ethics often start small, then grow.
3. “Not every crisp line is a triumph of ethical
clarity.” – David Quammen

14. What is the right thing to do?

15. Would an unethical person do this?
If the answer is
‘yes’ or ‘maybe,’
don’t do it.