Research ethics: Examining the tension between principlism and rational self-interest in a neoliberal university context
Transformation in Higher Education
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Research ethics: Examining the tension between principlism and rational self-interest in a neoliberal university context | |
| Creator | Le Grange, Lesley | |
| Description | Background: The reconfiguration of the contemporary university as a consequence of the (re)ascendency of neoliberal politics has not escaped South African universities. The higher education landscape in the country is characterised by performativity regimes – discourses on quality assurance, efficiency and accountability abound and so too modes of regulation based on rewards, sanctions and censorship.Aim: The article explores the extent to which these two conflicting ethical discourses (principlism and rational self-interest) have a bearing on a South African case that resulted in an investigation into research misconduct at a South African university.Setting: The broader setting is the neoliberal university. The specific setting is Stellenbosch University. As is the case with many western(ised) universities, this higher education institution has not escaped neoliberal influences.Methods: The methods used combine conceptual exploration supported by a case study. The usage of case in this study does not refer to how it is typically used in qualitative research. The focus is not on a bounded system but on the narrative essence of the case, more akin to the usage of ‘case’ in law and medicine.Results: The philosophical tensions between the two discourses on ethics might be overcome by refocusing the university on the public good, instead of valorising the individual.Conclusion: Overcoming the philosophical tensions between the two discourses might only be possible through recognising the value of an immanent rather than a transcendent ethics. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS Publishing | |
| Date | 2020-10-15 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/the.v5i0.88 | |
| Source | Transformation in Higher Education; Vol 5 (2020); 8 pages 2519-5638 2415-0991 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://thejournal.org.za/index.php/thejournal/article/view/88/303
https://thejournal.org.za/index.php/thejournal/article/view/88/302
https://thejournal.org.za/index.php/thejournal/article/view/88/305
https://thejournal.org.za/index.php/thejournal/article/view/88/301
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