Developing and practicing ethics requires an active and mindful approach that continues from graduate school throughout our careers. Because life in the real world tends to be messy with gray areas, contradictions, surprises, and rough edges, we must stay alert, distrust quick answers, and keep questioning. Knowing the ethics codes, laws, and professional guidelines is important; however, it is not enough. It is important not to let ethics, laws, and standards replace critical thinking, professional judgment, and personal responsibility. Our ability to think creatively and respond ethically to even the most daunting challenges seem mirrored by our shared human abilities to rationalize even the most unethical approaches. This chapter discusses the importance of learning to recognize and avoid the classic ethical fallacies. Attention is paid to the importance of knowing our weaknesses, ethical blind spots, biases, and ways to address these fallibilities in our careers.

We challenge the idea that the human rights of women and the right to culture are in opposition. First, the ideas that all human beings have the same rights and that these rights cannot be selectively abridged are fundamental to a diversity of cultures – though they often co-exist with discriminatory ideas and practices. Second, the idea of opposition between women’s rights and cultural rights is grounded in the myth that cultures are homogenous, bounded, and static. All cultures include a diversity of values; cultures also constantly mix and evolve. Third, the idea of opposition between women’s rights and cultural rights overlooks the power dynamics that make it difficult for women to influence their culture. Fourth, contraposing women’s rights and cultural rights splits experiences of oppression and privilege by gender and culture, instead of recognizing their intersectionality. Finally, the selective use of arguments against the universality of human rights in women’s case reveals bias. The universality of human rights is not questioned when men’s rights are at stake. In conclusion, it is critical to recognize and resist oppressive interests and practices disguised under the cloak of culture. The universality-of-human-rights principle demands essential protections and freedoms for all human beings.