Premium Essay

Ethics and Me

In: Business and Management

Submitted By ramfelixx
Words 6424
Pages 26
Definition of Ethics and Business Ethics

I learned that ethics, simply stated, involves learning what is right or wrong, and then doing the right thing -- but "the right thing" is not nearly as straightforward as conveyed in a great deal of ethics literature. I think, most ethical dilemmas in the everyday living are not simply a matter of "Should Bob steal from Jack?" or "Should Jack lie to his wife?" Ethics poses important questions about how we should act in relationships and how we should live with one another. Ethics asks us to consider whether our actions are right or wrong whatever the context - personal, family or business.

(Many ethicists assert there's always a right thing to do based on moral principle, and others believe the right thing to do depends on the situation -- ultimately it's up to the individual.) From my readings, I learned that many philosophers consider ethics to be the "science of conduct." Others explain that ethics includes the fundamental ground rules by which we live our lives. Philosophers have been discussing ethics for at least 2500 years, since the time of Socrates and Plato. Many ethicists consider emerging ethical beliefs to be "state of the art" legal matters, i.e., what becomes an ethical guideline today is often translated to a law, regulation or rule tomorrow. Values, which guide how we ought to behave are considered moral values, e.g., values such as respect, honesty, fairness, responsibility, etc. Statements around how these values are applied are sometimes called moral or ethical principles.

How to behave toward oneself and toward other individuals is a matter of making choices: whether to be friendly or unfriendly; whether to tell the truth or lie; whether to be generous or greedy; whether to study in order to pass an exam or to spend valuable study time watching television and cheat to pass it.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Ethics Papaer

...Personal Ethics Development Paper PHL/323 March 26, 2012 Frank Campbell Personal Ethics Development Paper Today, the world is encountering many situations that make people question personal ethics in and out of the workplace. Ethics are the principles, norms, and standards of conduct governing an individual or organization” (Treviño & Nelson, 2007, p. 13); ethics form the basis for determining the correct action, or moral behavior, in a particular situation. Everyone is given the freedom to choose right and wrong but when does an individual go from good to bad. Is it true that there are good apples and bad apples in the world? I live by an ethical system that I have observed over the last 28 years of my life. That system has been influenced by watching my parents work and live their everyday lives. How does ethics development occur? What is my ethical system? Does setting proper work ethics improve overall performance in the workplace? Why are ethics needed in an organization? Ethics are the foundation for individuals and organizations around the world. My ethics development has occur over many years of my life. I still believe that I am in the development stage. I remember growing up and observing everyone around and just beginning to understand right from wrong. At an early age, I was always doing things I shouldn’t be doing because at a young age we are still learning and figuring out how the world works. Once we begin to understand, then...

Words: 1139 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Rn Student

...The foundation of nursing is molded by ethics and values. Nurses provide nursing care for the sick and suffering. Nurses are highly efficient in planning; implementing and evaluating the nursing care for the patient. They are efficient in decision-making and have adequate technical skills. Nurses provide compassionate care for the patient and families during the time of treatment. Nurses are very cautious while assessing their patient to assure that they get the accurate treatment, and to avoid unwanted treatment leading to suffering. Nurses provide safe environment for the patient, family and protect the patient privacy. Nurses must advance the knowledge of profession by education, and they implement these knowledge in planning, implementing and evaluating the patient care. They are able to collaborate with other health care professionals in promoting health and welfare of the individual, families, communities, nation and world to bring a social change by extending towards health related socio- cultural issues (The American Nurses Association, 2010). My philosophy of nursing has derived from what I believe to be a core nursing characteristics. The concept of my personal philosophy-nursing carrier was derived from the value system, and the influence of academic and clinical instructors of my profession. The principles of my philosophy are, reverence, awareness, compassion, morality, encouragement, holism, critical thinking...

Words: 1155 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Personal Ethics Development Paper

...Ethics Development Paper Ethics Development Paper At an early age, many are taught the difference from right and wrong and that sharing is caring. If you had a toy that the others wanted to play with rather than telling them no normally the elder would walk over to you and say to share the activity or game that you are playing or let others join in and play with you. I believe this is where many people are first taught the developmental aspects of ethics. Growing up as a only child this was something that I can still remember as if it was yesterday; my mom walking over to me and saying, “ Tommy share your toys don’t be so stingy.” Along with these conversations she wove in lessons of right and wrong and the rewards and consequences that came along with. Those were defining moments for me and when looking back now and asked to write and focus on the developmental aspect of ethics; that was the beginning of learning ethics at a young age. Ethics are taught by parents, teachers, or authority figures through focused lessons, societal norms or every day interactions. Whether it is from learning this at school from your kindergarten teacher, to having it reinforced in your place of worship and then drilled into you by your parents these lessons are all around us. These lessons continue to be reinforced and illustrated throughout our lives and help to create a norm in our society that are illustrated through laws, policies at work or actions we all practice on a daily basis...

Words: 1516 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Ethics Essay

...Ethics Essay In this paper I will be discussing the similarities and differences of; virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. I personally have never known the differences in ethics until I read the information in (Ethics Applied). The similarities in the three ethics are that ethics define who a person is. Ethics are what drives a person in everyday living. A person with little to no ethics in my opinion is a person who has weak character. These three ethics are a person’s morals, virtue, and conscience. I believe these are the similarities between the ethics. The differences in these ethics are as fallows. Virtue theory is more of a person’s own thoughts and personal feelings rather than action based. Utilitarianism is a person’s moral foundation. I believe it’s what a person’s parents or teachers have taught them through the years on what’s right and what’s wrong. Deontological ethics are what a person believes in their heart is right and wrong rather than being told. A personal experience I had with ethics take’s me back to when I was on my first deployment to Iraq. We had been in country for about two months. I had been assigned to detainee watch with a fellow Marine. We were told to watch the Iraqi prisoner and if he needed anything to let the guard at the front know. The other Marine with me started to beat the prisoner and asked if I wanted to join him. I was a brand new Marine and was shocked on what I was witnessing. All of my training and personal...

Words: 404 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Ethics

...Personal Ethics Development Shunkeytia Nelson PHL/323 Ethics in Management July 14, 2011 Eric MC Math Personal Ethics Development Growing up, I was with my great- grandparents majority of the time and my grandmother raised me from birth until I was about eight years of age. As I went back and forth from my great- grandparents to my grandmother on both my mother and fathers side of the family, I was taught many things about ethical values. My great-grandparents were God fearing people. I went to church a lot of the time with my great-grandmother at an early age. I watched her pray, worship, and have unmoving faith in God. These things she taught me, along with Gods Commandments on how to live my life, gave me a strong foundation to start my journey in life. As with my great-grandfather, I watched him be a man, taking care of home. He had his own business and showed great ethical behavior in doing so. With only what I believe it to be, a fifth grade education, not knowing how to read or write, I watched him be very successful in being a businessman. He would always have little sayings to say to me that meant a lot. Sayings like “work hard now and rest later. As a child I had no clue as to what that meant, but now as an adult I clearly know what it means and I stand by it firmly. On the other hand, living with my grandmother was a bit different, but not as much. I was taught about the wrongs and rights in life but it was not in the same manner as it had been...

Words: 1152 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Personal Ethics Development

...Personal Ethics Development University of Phoenix PHL/323 Ethics in Management Week One Assignment 29 January 2012 Personal Ethics Development Ethics are what human beings base our day-day functions and existence on. It is safe to say that ethics is the very compound that links understanding with reason, when developing beliefs and opinions. A person’s character defines his morals and values. In the decision-making process, these two assumptions play a major role in what is right and wrong, substantial, or beneficial. Ethics are essentially developed at birth and practiced, altered and molded into an individual’s personality throughout life. Until the situation arises that ethics are used to base an opinion or make a decision, ethics are not defined or understood. From the reading Trevino and Nelson define ethics as “The principles, norms, and standards of conduct governing an individual...

Words: 1232 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Personal Ethics Developmen

...PHL 323 Ethics in Management June 25, 2012 Personal Ethics Development While growing up, we have been taught what to do and what not do. We are taught on beliefs, ethics, morals, values, and to respect others. Different countries have different cultures, ethics, religions, and beliefs. Everyone believes that his or her ethic, belief, religion, and value are the only one that existed and others should follow. Most of the people still do not know who is right, who is wrong, and who to follow. Throughout this essay, I will discuss “the developmental aspect of my ethics.” Define “my underlying ethical system, its primary principles, and the sources that helped shape my ethics.” Additionally I will also discuss the ethical key terms found on University of Phoenix located on the student web site. I will also discuss on my ethics used in the workplace and how ethics plays the key role of an organization. The developmental aspect of my ethics was very difficult because I was growing up during the Vietnam Conflict in Laos. I was born to a rich family, but at the time Communist took over of Laos in 1975. We lost everything and most of my relatives went to Thailand. They left me, my five years old sister, and my parents behind. At the same year both of my parents passed away and left me with my sister. During this time, there was no ethics and no principles; everyone just tried to survive the war. My sister and I did not know who to turn to, no one want me or my sister...

Words: 1357 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Personal Ethics Paper

...Personal Ethics Development Paper Saundra Gonzales PHL/323 Ethics in Management February 3, 2014 Frank Campbell Personal Ethics Development Paper The personal ethics that drive me in my nursing career have been tested over the past eight years. My ethics are based on social norms and general standards of conduct that are governed by the hospital I work for. I have signed an agreement for compliance with a code of conduct that lays out the frame work for my personal and professional ethics. As a nurse, the ethical treatment of patients is paramount in my practice. The ethical system in place that has shaped my ethics is the Code of Ethics for Nurses. Beneficence, non-malfeasance, autonomy and human dignity are some important braches of the nursing code of ethics. This ethics system was introduced early in nursing school, and has been reinforced and used as a foundation for all other ethical practice. The code of ethics has helped me make the patient’s safety and comfort a priority, and all things that do not benefit a patient’s well being not as important. When I am being faced with an ethical dilemma, the nursing code of ethics can help guild me to the best option. In an attempt to respect all areas of human rights, I have to understand the vulnerability of the patient and do my best to help them make informed decisions autonomously that can help provide the best outcomes. Patient confidentiality is a must in my person ethics, and I am also legally...

Words: 1087 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Personal Ethics Development

...Personal Ethics Development PHL/323 August 18, 2012 Ed Williams Personal Ethics Development The ethical system that I derive my life with comes from bringing raised in a stern, Christian family with moral values passed on to the children. Primary principles that shaped the ethics in my life started as a child when my mother and father instilled in me to have respect for others, and to follow my dreams. I grew up as a military brat, with both parents in the Air Force. The work ethic that my parents showed me by being in the military gave me an example that going to work and being responsible is very important in life. School was also instilled in me to show responsibility as well as education. Milestones in life have shaped me to follow morals and know the differences between right and wrong. After graduating high school and gaining an education, I went on to obtain a great job for a major home improvement company. As I started working for this company they had certain rules to abide by that everyone in the company followed. These rules were called the Code of Conducts rules. These rules set the standard for each employee to respect each other and to abide by the rules. When the rules are not followed action against that individual will be taken. Throughout life I was able to have parents, teachers, managers, and coaches to provide and mold the ethical structure that was started as a child. The decisions that I have made within my life are always...

Words: 515 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Good Work Ethic Research Paper

...A good work ethic will help you accomplish your dreams. Work ethic to me, is when you have a goal and you work hard to accomplish that goal even if you do not want to. My mom always says to me “you are lazy.” She is right, but she is also wrong in some aspects. I am lazy when it comes to school, but when it comes to wrestling I have a great work ethic. I believe that the time and effort I put into the sport helps me develop a better work ethic for when I grow up. My mom saying that I am lazy helps me better understand that to have a good work ethic you need to do everything to your best potential, even school. Furthermore, I explained how I have a good work ethic when it comes to sports, but when it comes to school I don't. Mrs. Jones always...

Words: 307 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Mgmt 320

...Business Ethics and Responsibility Name: Tutor: College: Course: Date: The code of ethics is a form of conformity in which each individual engaging in the company operation is to follow. The main objective in creating the “code of ethics” is to ensure a respectable reputation as well as a level playing field in which each individual’s role is crucial to the success and to be observed as a fair and negotiable representation in any market. Responsibilities of professional are held to high standards and complimented by given instructions as well as the compilation of policies, procedures, and protocols. To further this professional structure, companies have created such codes that can be substantiated by known professional conduct laws. Ethics refers to a branch of philosophy that deals with values of moral conduct with regard to rightness and wrongness of a certain action. The term is derived from a Greek word “ethos” meaning “character”. It is also the rule of conduct that is recognized and respected by a particular group or a society including Professional ethics such as medical ethics, religious ethics, academic ethics, and personal ethics (Howard, and Korver, 2008). This code is an essential part of both business practices and personal development and help aid in the responsibilities of one person’s function and/or a company’s survival. Code of ethics is a set of statements adopted by an organization or an individual stating the...

Words: 2979 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

My Ethical Statement

...The Oxford Dictionary defines 'ethics' as "Moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity." Ethics are an important part of our daily lives, and our personal moral beliefs are responsible for several of our judgments and actions. I believe that there are times in every individual's life when (s)he has to choose the right alternative, distinguish between right and wrong and support what is appropriate for society as a whole, which is when the personal ethics system comes into the picture. My personal ethics consist of qualities that always help me pick the legitimate option in sticky situations. I am an honest person―the truth always matters to me more than anything else at any given moment. Since childhood, this quality has always directed me away from petty distractions that many children face at some time or the other―cheating in class examinations, and stealing, for instance. I have always stood up for what is right, and this has helped me become the person I am today. I also consider my hardworking and sincere nature to be one of my biggest strengths. I believe honesty and hard work are intricately linked, and this has always shown me the importance of dedication and sincerity for fulfilling my ambitions, which is why, I am not afraid to take up seemingly difficult tasks. I am not afraid to stand up for what I truly believe in, and being a rational person, I rarely let emotions take control of any situation, which is extremely necessary...

Words: 939 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Leadership and Ethics

...contract report On Leadership and Ethics Compiled June 2015 by Rochak Bhatta Charles Stuart University Darlinghurst, Sydney. Table of content Headings Pages Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………. 3 Leadership and ethics…………………………………………………………………………. 4 Transformational Leadership………………………………………………….. 5 Learning contract outcome…………………………………………………………………. 5 Critical self-reflection and analysis of the outcome…………………………….. 6 Knowledge………………………………………………………………………….. 6 Skills……………………………………………………………………………………. 8 Ability…………………………………………………………………………………. 9 Action Plan…………………………………………………………………………………………9 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………….10 References………………………………………………………………………………………….11 Introduction Leadership, Ethics, social responsibilities are some of the common terms widely used inside classrooms and boardrooms. But surprisingly very little research...

Words: 3699 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Personal Ethics

...Personal Ethics Development Damon Walton PHL/323 February 21, 2012 Brian Robinson Personal Ethics Development What comes to mind when one thinks of ethics? Most people will say that ethics is a system of moral values. Ethics can be instilled or taught by one’s parents.. Ethics is a topic that is considered to be complicated and not easily defined. Per the dictionary, ethics is defined as a system of moral principles; the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc; moral principles, as of an individual. Some may say that your ethical system may change as one grow older and come into contact with different people of various cultures. My parents have always taught me that having a strong ethical foundation will shape who I am and who I will be. It was their goal to instill in all of their children great morals and values. I’m sure that their parents had the same goal as well. With this being said, one’s ethical foundation will guide a person in the right direction throughout their life, being the moral compass between right and wrong. It is essential to possess this trait so that one’s decisions are guided in the right direction when one is faced with challenging moral issues. My parents based their ethical system on religious beliefs. My parents always taught me to use the Bible as a strong moral guide in my day to day life. I really appreciate the values and morals that my parents instilled...

Words: 1022 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Personal Ethics

...Personal Ethics Development Personal ethics are beliefs and values that guide every individual in his or her daily lives. It represents a boundary for actions by individuals. From early childhood an individual starts to develop his or her personal ethical system and establishes ground rules to follow for the rest of his or her life. As an individual develops and matures in life so does his or her personal ethics. Developmental Aspects Personal ethics starts to develop at a very early age. My mother and father raised four children and empowered each with useful developmental tools. They instilled the same ground rules and ethics for each of the children to follow. Even though they raised each child the same, each one has a different mindsets concerning personal ethics. So in some ways personal ethics are also an interpretation of the individual. Underlying Ethical System Growing up with a military family, we followed the military ethics mindset. My father was a career military man and believed in nothing less than the ethical ways of the military. Growing up we traveled and met different people from many walks of life. My mother and father built an ethical foundation or an underlying ethical system for our family that helped us throughout our childhood and into adulthood. It was the basic foundation of treating everyone the same and treating people the way a person would want someone to treat him or her...

Words: 1082 - Pages: 5