What Is/ Are Ethics?
Ethics relates to a term that encompasses all the values and norms that demonstrate the appropriate attitude. It also focuses on the attitude that should be adopted towards people that shows respect for them. Ethics need to be adopted so as to eliminate the bad aspects of society. This includes being honest, being good to the society, telling the truth, etc. (Julia Driver, Page 186)
Difference Between Ethics and Morals, Beliefs, or Values
The major difference between morals and ethics is that morals are restricted to the personal character whereas ethics stress on the societal level where the morals are applied. Basically, ethics focus on the code of conduct or standards that are expected by the group or society. Ethics can be social, national, company professional, or even family ethics.
Comparison of Ethics With the Ethics Awareness Inventory
Ethics Awareness Inventory is a program that has the ability to evaluate an individual’s ethical style. This program asks a number of questions and as a result, evaluates the answers. At the end of the entire process, it reveals the degree of ethics a person is. Our ethics are honesty, maintaining a good attitude towards people, etc. The Ethics Awareness Inventory reveals that honesty should be adopted in every field of life whereas our normal routine is unfortunately designed in such a way that we are unable to practice it very often. (Mark E Ware, Charles L. Brewer, Page 287)
Influencing Factors Involved in the Development of Ethics
The environment has a very important effect on the development of the honesty trait. If an individual is surrounded by dishonest people in a work environment, it would be very difficult for him to practice it. Therefore it is very necessary to have a politics-free environment so as to develop honesty in an individual. Personal values also have a significant value when it comes to the development of honesty.
A person is more comfortable and directed towards practicing the honesty trait if he is provided the appropriate environment. An environment where people are more focused on achieving their goals keeping ethics in mind proves to be very helpful. It assists one to bring out the best of his ethical values.
Manifestation of Ethics in Professional Life
Ethical values such as honesty, integrity, trust, etc need to be kept in mind while catering to professional life.
Trust is that trait that needs to be present in a professional. They are expected to act as trustees of their clienteles and customers and it is important that they keep all the private information to themselves, revealing it only to the concerned party.
Honesty prevents an individual from lying, stealing, or deceiving in any possible manner. Honesty requires an individual to deal with all the clients with justice. A professional needs to be non-biased so that all the matters can be dealt with honesty and integrity. (Mike W Martin, Page 152)
Implications of Ethics to Professional Decision Making
Maintenance and implication of ethics to professional decision-making is equally important as practicing it in personal life. It should be kept in mind that all the decisions that are taken are in accordance with ethical values. The decisions should be taken that reflect society’s best interest, the safety of the public, and the environment. The undertaken responsibilities should be fulfilled. While taking a decision, it should be kept in mind that all the rules and regulations are being followed and that they are not supported by any deceit or unjust policies.
Role of Critical Thinking in Ethics
Ethics involves the critical analysis of human attitudes and acts so as to determine the right and wrong aspects. This is done while considering the truth and justice criteria. It is not necessary that whatever a person thinks may be right or wrong. Critical analysis is a method that carefully analyzes the different aspects of ethics, determining them as right or wrong. Critical thinking enables one to think before performing any task rather than being impulsive.
Critical thinking enables one to carefully evaluate the necessary norms and values and implement them in his life. It provides a platform through which one can sort out the wrong and right aspects of life and then adopt the ones that complement the standard of ethics. This assists one in becoming a considerate person who is acceptable to society. (David Braybrooke, Page 488)
Impact of Critical Thinking
The most important ethical traits that need to be adopted are honesty, trustworthiness, integrity, etc. It is proven from studies that the organizations that make sure that all of the primary ethics are followed, prove to be successful. Analysis of the ethical traits is also very important as one gets to know their significance and role in society. This motivates one to adopt them and perform routine tasks in accordance with them.
Through the analysis, an individual not only adopts the ethical values in personal life but also makes sure that they are adopted and implemented in professional life. This way all the professional tasks are performed without there being any hint of injustice or biasness. The level of favoritism is reduced to the lowest.
Let’s take an example of a manager who makes sure that honesty is one of the virtues that are followed while performing any professional tasks. This person will make sure that all the employees are hired on the basis of their qualifications and not on the basis of personal interests and relationships. All the employees will be treated fairly and the rules and regulations will be equal for employees of all levels. The important records of the employees will be kept confidential. The manager would make sure that all the records are maintained without cheating. Hence, all the decisions will be based on total integrity and justice.
Bibliography
David Braybrooke (1999) ‘Ethics in the World of Business’ Page 488, Rowman and Allenheld.
Julia Driver (2006) ‘Ethics: The Fundamentals’ Page 186, Blackwell Publishing.
Mark E Ware, Charles l Brewer (1999) ‘Handbook for Teaching Statistics and Research Methods’ Page 287, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Mike W Martin (2000) ‘Meaningful Work’ Page 152, Oxford University Press.
