...Moral Compass Essay Yuebo (Grace) Zhu I. Introduction A moral compass is the moral guide on which a person bases his/her decisions and distinguishes what is right from what is wrong. With our moral compass, we know what rules we should play by. When I was a child, I learnt Chinese traditional wisdom, Confucianism, from my parents and elementary school. The core of Confucianism is humanity, to be altruistic, upright and courteous within the society, from which I got to know the rules I should honor. Never cheat. Be kind and honest. Don't do anything that will hurt others. These become the foundation of my moral compass. As I grow older, I have been introduced to other theories which cast light on the formation of my moral compass. According to Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill’s philosophy of Utilitarianism, the measure of right and wrong is to maximize happiness of maximized number. But when I tried to make decisions based on this theory, I met some problems. First, sometimes it’s impossible to transfer all the values into numbers to make comparison. Second, to achieve the maximized overall pleasure, I had to sacrifice the minority’s interests, which was unfair to them. As I was exposed to “Liberalism”, I found my answers. Every individual in the society deserves respect. Everyone has the right to choose freely, to live our life in the way we like, and to respect others for doing the same things. This part of Liberalism goes along with Confucianism; therefore I set...
Words: 1170 - Pages: 5
...The Moral Compass Essay is BRIEF SYNOPSIS of your personal moral compass based on your completed Moral Compass Workbook. It should be written in your own words in the first person narrative voice. SUGGESTED OUTLINE AND QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ESSAY YOUR PERSONAL INTEGRITY: What is your understanding of a moral compass as a foundation for personal integrity? From which Wisdom Tradition(s) do you draw in constructing your moral compass? What do you value and question about this Wisdom Tradition? • MORAL VISION: What is your vision of a good life? What values anchor your moral vision? What symbol, song, image, or story motivates and inspires your moral vision? How does your Wisdom Tradition influence your moral vision? • MORAL CODE: What are the rules or principles of your moral code? How does your moral code align with your moral vision? How does your Wisdom Tradition influence your moral code? • MORAL FITNESS: What practices constitute your moral fitness regimen? How do you use these practices to cultivate personal character and integrity? How do these practices align with and reinforce your moral vision and code. How does your Wisdom Tradition influence your moral code? • DEFINING MOMENT: What moral challenge has been a key defining moment for you? How has this challenge tested, clarified, and defined your character and values. If you could, how would you rewrite the script for this event in your life? Why? How does your Wisdom Tradition influence your moral understanding...
Words: 337 - Pages: 2
...Could Compassion be the driving force behind our moral compass? My definition of compassion is the feeling that arises when you see someone suffer, and want to help. It is more than an attitude, and also is different from empathy, which refers to the vicarious experience of another’s emotions. It also isn’t pity, because compassion doesn’t place the other as inferior to self, which pity does. Compassion encompasses a slightly broader set of states than sympathy. Is compassion a variant or blend of sadness or love? I think it can be associated with love, tenderness and caring. Compassion is stronger in the level of concern then related states such as sympathy, pity, and empathic concern, and sort of encompasses all of those, and then rises above it. Compassion can develop into enduring sentiments....
Words: 443 - Pages: 2
...SBMT2010 Homework 1 Reflection on Your Moral Compass It is always hard to start writing an essay like this, especially when you are sharing your very own personal experience and emotion. Awkward enough to know that whoever reading will not like this and have to grind through it, however it gets more awkward as I will be trying to share my inner thoughts and my growth with the readers. You might not be impressed by this essay, but please bear with me as I try to share my opinions. The person that contributes most on the development of my moral compass is my father. He is a wise person, educating me to be an ethical and moral person from my childhood. My father is greatly affected by buddhism, he read lots of books about it and always bring them up to discuss with me in our daily conversation. Under his influence, I have a rough understanding about buddhism and have involve some of its idea into my development of moral compass. Beside my father influence, my moral compass is also deeply affected by the idea of catholicism. This is due to the fact that I have been spending my whole childhood in catholic school from kindergarden to high school. Although I am not a Catholic, I am a great supporter of the idea of universal love of the catholicism, along with equality. Aside of these two religion, I am attracted by Taoism. I love its idea of “wu wei”. I found it enlightening and full of wisdom that I do not fully understand yet. My lifestyle is very influenced...
Words: 497 - Pages: 2
...Personal Moral Compass As health care professionals, nurses are anticipated to foster a moral compass by which they navigate ethical dilemmas that may evolve in nursing practice. These dilemmas may present in every aspect of their practice. The worldview and philosophy of nursing is influenced by one’s personal, spiritual and cultural values. At times one’s personal values, world view and philosophy may contradict with each other and that will generate an ethical dilemma. The American Nurses’ Association (ANA) has adopted “The Code of Ethics” which is intended to provide standard guidelines that are essential to the ethical discharge of the nurses’ responsibilities. When facing ethical dilemma in nursing practice, nurses’ personal ethics in combination with the code of ethics enable them to make personal and social decision. This capability prompts them to act on suffering patient’s needs. In this essay, the writer will be discussing personal, cultural, and spiritual values contributing to nurses’ individual worldview and philosophy of nursing and the moral and ethical dilemma being faced in their profession. Values Contributing to Individual’s Worldview and Philosophy of Nursing My personal moral compass is contributed by various inspirations, passions and values. A person’s origin has a strong impact on their personal, spiritual, cultural values and beliefs. The author was born and raised in India in a Christian religious background. We have a culture of respecting...
Words: 1033 - Pages: 5
...The What If Factor In “Ethics and the New Genetics” , the Dalai Lama is concerned about society being able to follow and uphold a moral compass while our technological capabilities advance, which is extremely easy and practical for a religious leader to say. What if the Dalai Lama is extremely wrong and biased in his outlook on what the world will look like after such major medical advances? The Dalai Lama says there may be many consequences of science on culture and society. In all reality, consequences will never be known unless; these medical and technological advances are introduced and tried out. Consequences and effects play a very major role in science; it is all trial and error. The Dalai Lama may try to give the good and bad sides of these advances; however, they are vague and cannot be taken as the “doctrine” or “moral compass” for society. The Dalai Lama comes from Tibet, a place where people are not as nearly as modern or technologically advanced as Americans or other world powers. Tibetans have totally different priorities, morals and outlooks on life. So, how could the Dalai Lama expect for modernized people to follow his guidance when he comes from a background that lives for the future and not the present? In reality, the world is having so many medical and social issues now, from the swine flu outbreak to the present state of our economy. Do we forget about these present issues and just focus on a future world that may not even be here in the near future...
Words: 1615 - Pages: 7
...This Essay is to explain the Army Values and how they pertain to the mistake I made. In the US army we are taught to live by the 7 army values. They are broken down to us in the acronym ‘LDRSHIP’. Loyalty “Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. constitution, the Army, and other soldiers.” Duty “Fulfill your obligations.” Respect “Treat people as they should be treated.” Selfless Service “Put the welfare of the nation, the Army and your subordinates above your own.” Honor “Live up to the army values.” Integrity “Do what’s right legally and morally.” and Personal Courage “Face fear, danger or adversity (physical or moral).” We are all drilled on these 7 army values from day one of basic training. First we commit them to memory. Then we learn to live by them. The three Army Values that pertain the most to this particular incident are Loyalty, Integrity, and Honor. What I am going to do is define each using the Army’s definition and then state how I did not use them. First being, Loyalty- is bearing witness to your allegiance to the US Constitution and its ideals, to the Army, to your unit, to your fellow Soldiers and subordinates, and to yourself as an Army Professional. Loyalty means placing your professional obligations and commitments before your personal ones. It means dedication to carrying out all of your unit’s missions and to serving faithfully the values of the country, the Army, and your unit. Loyalty is a value that has to be worked...
Words: 1020 - Pages: 5
...your responsibilities as an emerging/aspiring business leader. There is no traditional textbook, but there is much reading. You are required to read The Moral Compass: Leadership for a Free World, a workbook by Lindsay Thompson available online as a PDF in Course Documents. You will find details about required learning materials in the Bibliography and Theme Briefs sections of the Syllabus. Course Description and Overview This course explores ethical leadership as a framework for enterprise value creation in a complex environment of competing economic and moral claims. Students examine the intrinsic ethical challenges of leadership and the concept of a moral compass as a foundation for responding effectively to the ethical challenges of corporate citizenship and value creation in a competitive global economy. (2 credits) Syllabus Table of Contents Page Topic 2 Bibliography & Learning Resources 6 Calendar, Seminar Structure, Theme Briefs, Content 42 Seminar Preparation Toolkit 48 Learning Objectives, Graded Assignments, Deliverables 59 General Academic Policies 61 Supplemental Readings on Learning Theory bibliography learning resources ------------------------------------------------- Bibliography of Required and Suggested Readings Required: Appiah, Kwame (2010). The Honor Code: How Moral Revolutions Happen. New York & London: Norton. Chapters 1 & 5. Ariely, Dan (2012). “Why We...
Words: 18169 - Pages: 73
...Essay: Compass And Torch The short story Compass and Torch is written by Elizabeth Baines and published in 2003. I will in this essay discuss the relationship between the father and the boy and also include a characterisation of the boy. I will focus on the use of symbolism and the story’s main theme. The main character is an eight-year old boy. His mother and father are divorced. The boy lives with his mother and her new boyfriend Jim. He does not see his father very often. The boy is desperate for his father’s acknowledgement and is refusing to accept Jim as a replacement for his father. “”It’s a good one,” said Jim, pointedly approving, handing it back. “Yes,” said the boy, forcing himself to acknowledge Jim’s kindness and affirmation. But Jim is not dad.” (p. 8, ll. 33-35). The boy knows that Jim is only trying to be nice but does not believe anyone can do anything better than his dad. Jim is much more open and friendly towards the boy than his real father is but the boy can’t or will not see his father flaws. His mother does not believe the father will obtain to restore the broken relationship with his son. The boy’s knowledge of this only fuels his idolisation of his father. The father and the boy are not very close. They have not seen each other in four months prior to this camping trip. As much as they both want to be close, there is a distance between them. The father is first introduced as the man. The broken relationship as made them more as strangers...
Words: 1085 - Pages: 5
...Introduction Organization leadership requires strategies that produce results to benefit all stakeholders, even when leadership changes. Implementing new changes in organization leadership has potential success factors through processes, structures, ability to accept change and improved performance levels (Yukl, 2012). This associates with Joan Salmon new role as Invitation’s Inc. CEO for two months. It is a chance to prove her capabilities as a leader in an organization her father ran for years using the same leadership style. Consequently, Joan has bigger plans and changes she deems vital to enhance profitability of the company, beyond her father’s business culture and practices. Therefore, the essay entails a leadership plan considering roles Joan and her father play in Invitation’s Inc. Leadership role Leaders deal with various individuals with different backgrounds, skills and knowledge. In this regard, Joan and her father Garret possesses different leadership roles. Initially, Joan needs to establish her own style and involve others, yet she stills needs her father’s knowledge. However, involving others will not require her father’s autocratic role, but for her to adopt a participative role. In the two months trial period, he should allow Joan to transition her own participative style. This entails involving subordinates in decision making processes. In doing so, she needs to instill trust and confidence in all of her employees. The significance of adopting this role...
Words: 1610 - Pages: 7
...Tammy Blankenship PHI Ethics and Moral Reasoning Christopher Ruth September 1, 2013 When reading the paper by Peter Singer Famine, Affluence and Morality, you are pulled in with the first sentence “People are dying in East Bengal from lack of food, shelter and medical care.” You are instantly searching your brain on how to fix the problem in East Berlin. As you read further down the page he tells you that it is the” decision and actions of humans beings that can prevent this kind of suffering” The goal of Singer’s Paper is to bring awareness to the hungry in other countries. He also wants to make you aware of what other nations donate to the dying in East Bengal. However, his main point is that the decisions and actions of other countries and humans that are willing to help can prevent this tragedy in East Bengal. Singer’s main argument in the paper is that humans’ suffering from starvation is bad and we could improve the world if we could improve these issues. Singer explains several counter arguments in his essay. The first one is, or moral conceptual scheme the way people in relatively affluent countries react to situation like the one in Bengal. With this first moral conceptual, he is stating that life in our society is being taken for granted and our moral compass needs to be altered. The second moral conceptual is that suffering and death from lack of food, shelter and medical care is bad. With this argument is using our moral compass to persuade us to see only the...
Words: 855 - Pages: 4
...University of Phoenix Ethics Essay ETH/361 Ethics Essay Ethics is known as a system of moral principles, principles that affect how people make decisions and lead their lives. According to Boylan, (2009), “Ethics is the science concerning the “right and wrong” of human action.” There are many different theories associated with ethics, theories such as the virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. These individual theories not only have many differences between them, but they also have many similarities that concern themselves with what is good for individuals and society. The first theory is the Virtue theory, which looks at virtue or moral character, rather than at ethical duties, rules and even consequences of those actions. The theory concentrates on the way people live their lives, not on individual actions. Actions are right if and only if it is an action that a virtuous person would do in the same circumstances as someone with good character. According to Boylan, (2009), “It takes the viewpoint that in living your life you should try to cultivate excellence in all that you do and all that others do.” Utilitarianism, according to Dix, (2010), “Is a teleological approach because it focuses on the consequences of an action, as opposed to whether or not an action is intrinsically good in itself.” An action is right if it tends to promote happiness and an action is wrong if it does not produce happiness. The emphasis in...
Words: 451 - Pages: 2
...Running head: THE GREAT GATSBY ESSAY #2 1 The Great Gatsby Essay #2 Logan Daniel Laabs Madonna University English 3020: Major American Writers (Tuesdays) THE GREAT GATSBY ESSAY #2 2 The Great Gatsby Essay #2 The Great Gatsby takes place over the summer of 1922 and is set in the area around Long Island, New York. At first glance Fitzgerald makes a superficial statement about romanticism; Gatsby’s love for Daisy and how that love was destroyed in 1919 when Gatsby left for the war and instead married Tom Buchanan. The better part of the story shows Fitzgerald’s real theme, the decline of the American Dream in the 1920s during a time when prosperity and material excess was at an all high. Fitzgerald renders the 1920s as a time for low social and moral values which is demonstrated by the greed, pessimism, and need to ascend to power. An example of this is the large parties that Gatsby throws every Saturday night in order to impress others. The American dream seems to fade away with the need for wealth and pleasure dominating more moral objectives. This seemed to only intensify after World War I when young Americans came back home after witnessing brutal carnage. Another factor that lead Americans to desire wealth was the rise in stock market, which could have lead many people to easily acquire a small fortune themselves. Furthermore, crime was at an all-time high due to the flourishing underworld were bootleg liquor was in massive demand by the rich...
Words: 997 - Pages: 4
..."Ultimately, all human beings share core universal values, and apparent differences are merely variances of practices or interpretation." The Pursuit of Universal Shared Values Throughout the twentieth century, philosophers have struggled to understand the nature of human morality, namely, the underlying values that form it. Which factors form the basis of our conception of what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’—‘good’ and ‘bad’? Do we all share certain values, or some approach, that helps us come about our moral judgments? Is there a universal ‘good’ and ‘bad’? This is really the crux of it, is it not? This essay will present the argument that the pursuit of human happiness—or at least perceived happiness—is the only value that can be considered universal amongst all human beings, and that the differences and conflicts between us stem from different interpretation’s of happiness and the means that should be taken toward its actualization. That is to say that something is ‘good’ to the extent to which it enables perceived happiness, or, disables a lack of perceived happiness. The universality of this value will be suggested to extend to all sentient beings, regardless of human intelligence and the capacity to reason. This essay’s thesis is in agreement with the proposed statement that, “ultimately, all human beings share core universal values, and apparent differences are merely variances of practices or interpretation,” however not to the extent that the ideas of philosophers John...
Words: 1473 - Pages: 6
...Practice Essay Topic : With what values do the characters in The Hunger Games react to the Capitol’s dystopian world? You are required to write an essay on this topic. Our starting point will be the body of the essay. In this you are instructed to write 3 paragraphs of between 10 -12 sentences. Choose 3 of the character qualities and values from both columns of the chart below for your 3 paragraphs and match them to 3 characters of your choice. Dystopian Negative Impact on human beings : Reaction and Response of Decline & Stagnation NEGATIVE QUALITIES OR VALUES. | Dystopian Positive Impact on human beings : Reaction and Response of Righteousness & Growth POSITIVE QUALITIES OR VALUES | Greed : power, status, prestige, , ambivalence, * moral vacuum . | Generosity : selflessness, benevolence, altruism, gallantry, decency. | Intolerance : cruelty, superiority, discrimination, indifference, * above | Compassion : empathy, recognition, kindness, respect. | Arrogance : hubris , invincibility, pomposity. self -aggrandisement | Humility : modesty, self deprecation, gentility, awareness of one’s flaws. | Isolation : rejection, humiliation, despondency, disempowerment. | Autonomy : emergence of selfhood, motivational moral compass. | Vulnerability : suffering, despair. desperation, fragility. | Courage : moral dilemma/conundrum tenacity, heroism, fortitude, resilience. | In writing each paragraph you must 1. Have a topic sentence which names...
Words: 602 - Pages: 3
