Professional Conduct and Ethical Standard: Introduction To Ethics and Values
Professional Conduct and Ethical Standard: Introduction To Ethics and Values
Chapter 1
UNDERSTANDING ETHICS
Etymologically, the word ethics is coined from the Greek word “ethicos”, or that which pertains to
”ethos”, the English translation of which is “custom” or “character”.
Ethics is the branch of philosophy that theoretically, logically and rationally determines right from
wrong, good from bad, moral from immoral and just from unjust actions, conducts and behavior.
Overall, ethics establishes the rules and standards that govern the moral behavior of individuals and
groups. It also distinguishes between right and wrong conducts. It involves honest consideration to
underlying motive, to possible potential harm and to congruency with established values and rules.
What do we mean by “morality of human acts?” Morality of human acts refers to the goodness of the
badness, the rightness of the wrongness of human acts.
Ethics is a philosophical science. This means that ethics is one of the many disciplines in philosophy.
Character deals with how people think and behave related to issues such
as right and wrong, justice and equity, and other areas of human conduct.
COMPARISON CHART
PERSONALITY CHARACTER
Expression Outer appearance and behavior of a Traits of a person that are abstract.
person.
Change May change over time. Remains same.
Morals are the principles that guide individual conduct within society. And, while morals may change
over time, they remain the standards of behavior that we use to judge right and wrong.
Ethics and morals relate to “right” and “wrong” conduct. While they are sometimes used
interchangeably, they are different. Ethics refer to rules provided by an external source. Morals refer
to an individual’s own principles regarding right and wrong.
COMPARISON CHART
ETHICS MORALS
What are they? The rules of conduct recognized in Principles or habits with respect to right
respect to a particular class of human or wrong conduct. Morals also
actions or a particular group or prescribe dos and don'ts. Morality is
culture. ultimately a personal compass of right
and wrong.
Where do they come Social system - External Individual - Internal
from?
Why we do it? Because society says it is the right Because we believe in something
thing to do. being right or wrong.
2. Man as an Animal.
3. Man as a Rational Animal.
4. Intellect compare with will.
5. Concrete Basis of Morality.
UNDERSTANDING VALUES
Human values are most important in life. It is important that people are
and should be ready to sacrifice almost anything to live with their
values. Honesty, integrity, love, and happiness are some of the end
values or destination values that human beings seek to attain,
practise and live with.
Knowing our values helps us achieve clarity regarding why we do what we do, and accordingly stay on
track and live a consistent life. All our actions and decisions are affected by our values.
Those who know their values and live by them become the leaders of our society. Knowing our values
helps us design our life goals since we know what is most important for us today and on an ongoing
basis. Values are as important as competencies to achieve our goals. Knowing others’ values is
equally important to understand their behaviour and the causes behind it. We can also understand
their decision making by understanding their values.
1. Values are the object of human desire and striving; they are also the subjective assessment of a
particular object insofar as it is good.
2. Values are our beliefs, those beliefs which we hold to be true. Thus values
inspire us to struggle towards our proximate and ultimate ends.
3. Values refer to things, person, ideas or goods which are important to life;
they enable us to direct, understand, and evaluate our lives. Thus, they refer
to our ideals and our principles by which we live. Further, values are those
which we approve, esteem, en joy and prize.
Properties of VALUES
1. Subjective – means that the existence and the validity of values are
dependent upon on the feelings or attitudes of the subject.
2. Objective –means that the existence and the nature or values are independent of a subject.
3. Relative – means that the values have intrinsic limitation and imperfection.
4. Bipolar –means that values do not exist alone. They always exist with their counter values. Thus,
values are either positive or negative.
5. Hierarchical –means do not classify values but rather we rank them. When we rank values, we
establish order of importance among them. The closest meaning of ranking values or prioritizing
values.
1. Knowledge – An act is done knowingly, when the doer is conscious and aware of the reason and the
consequences of his actions. Knowledge is supplied by the intellect and it directs the will to want the
object it proposes.
2. Freedom – An act is done when the doer acts by his own initiative and choice without being forced
to do so by another person or situation. It makes the doer the father of his acts and thus, the doer is
responsible for those acts.
3. Voluntariness – An act is done wilfully when the doer consents to the acts, accepting it as his own,
and assumes accountability for its consequences. It is naturally inclined to the good, but man may
sometime deliberately choose evil.
Acts of man
1. Ignorance
2. Passion
3. Fear
4. Violence
COMPARISON CHART