All ethics polls
Our Ethics Poll questions are intended to generate thinking and debate around ethical issues. The polls are not formally conducted, so results are indicative only.
Below are all Ethics Polls we have posted on this site. Note that polls earlier than the current one will generally be closed for voting.
January 2012
Should a captain always be the last one to leave a sinking ship?
December 2011
Xmas is a periode of forgiveness. Is it OK to not give Xmas presents to naughty children?
Yes
32.4% (24 votes)
No
67.6% (50 votes)
November 2011
Is it OK to use (non-violent) social and economic disruption as a catalyst for change?
Yes
87.1% (135 votes)
Unsure
4.5% (7 votes)
No
8.4% (13 votes)
October 2011
Should there be controls on the gambling decisions of adults?
Yes
78.9% (56 votes)
Unsure
2.8% (2 votes)
No
18.3% (13 votes)
September 2011
Is it ok to pay two identical workers doing the same job a different salary if only one of them asks for more money?
Yes
21.8% (43 votes)
Unsure
1.5% (3 votes)
No
76.6% (151 votes)
August 2011
Is phone hacking ever ethical?
Yes
44% (40 votes)
Unsure
4.4% (4 votes)
No
51.6% (47 votes)
July 2011
Was the killing of Osama bin Laden justified?
Yes
59.1% (172 votes)
Unsure
5.8% (17 votes)
No
35.1% (102 votes)
June 2011
Should suspension of live exports only be lifted when all cattle (not just Australian) can be guaranteed humane treatment?
Yes
54.5% (60 votes)
Unsure
5.5% (6 votes)
No
40% (44 votes)
May 2011
Should all asylum seekers have their claims processed on the Australian mainland?
Yes
67.7% (107 votes)
Unsure
11.4% (18 votes)
No
20.9% (33 votes)
April 2011
Should nuclear power be used as a source of energy for civilian purposes?
Yes
36% (41 votes)
No
56.1% (64 votes)
Unsure
7.9% (9 votes)
February 2011
Should public funds be given as aid to people who have CHOSEN NOT to buy insurance against natural disasters?
Yes
48.9% (92 votes)
Unsure
12.8% (24 votes)
No
38.3% (72 votes)
January 2011
Should kangaroos be 'farmed' commercially?
Yes
69.1% (103 votes)
Unsure
4% (6 votes)
No
26.8% (40 votes)
December 2010
Is Wikileaks acting ethically by publishing leaked information?
Yes
75.4% (92 votes)
Unsure
4.9% (6 votes)
No
19.7% (24 votes)
November 2010
Should parents receive financial compensation if their unborn child is killed by the negligence of another?
Yes
59% (82 votes)
Unsure
9.4% (13 votes)
No
31.7% (44 votes)
October 2010
Should there be a price on carbon?
Yes
75.9% (176 votes)
Unsure
9.5% (22 votes)
No
14.7% (34 votes)
September 2010
Should the law allow gay and lesbian couples to marry?
Yes
83.1% (138 votes)
Unsure
2.4% (4 votes)
No
14.5% (24 votes)
August 2010
Is killing your child in the name of family honour ever justified?
Yes
2.4% (9 votes)
Unsure
0.3% (1 votes)
No
97.3% (362 votes)
June 2010
Should nations have the moral right to assassinate confirmed terrorists who threaten their security?
Yes
23% (60 votes)
Unsure
4.6% (12 votes)
No
72.4% (189 votes)
May 2010
If animals are to be farmed, then should all 'factory farming' be banned in favour of 'free range farming' techniques?
Yes
82.4% (202 votes)
Unsure
3.7% (9 votes)
No
13.9% (34 votes)
April 2010
Should drug addicted or alcoholic pregnant women be gaoled to protect their unborn children from the harms of substance?
Yes
18.1% (31 votes)
Unsure
12.3% (21 votes)
No
69.6% (119 votes)
March 2010
Should church-owned institutions be allowed to refuse to employ people of different (or no) faith?
Yes
38.9% (91 votes)
Unsure
3% (7 votes)
No
58.1% (136 votes)
February 2010
Should governments censor the internet?
Yes
9.7% (19 votes)
Unsure
3.6% (7 votes)
No
86.7% (169 votes)
January 2010
In sport, should players obey the rules even when umpires and referees do not observe their errors?
Yes
95.2% (59 votes)
Unsure
1.6% (1 votes)
No
3.2% (2 votes)
December 2009
Should you refuse or return a gift that offends your personal ethics?
Yes
70% (49 votes)
Unsure
17.1% (12 votes)
No
12.9% (9 votes)
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