Working Ethically, safely and professionally
INTRODUCTION
‘Ethics’ is defined as: ‘moral principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity’; they tend to be values imposed by one’s self or by a group on its members.
‘Morals’ is defined as: ‘standards of behavior; principles of right and wrong’; they tend to be imposed by society.
‘Principle’ is defined as: A rule or belief governing one's personal behavior
‘Values’ is defined as: principles or standards of behavior; one’s judgement of what is important in life:
High standard of morals will set standards of behavior for an individual and help them distinguish between right and wrong.
Their values will help them determine what is important in life. And help in moral dilemmas where it’s a case of choosing between right and right as opposed to choosing between right and wrong.
Ethics are formulated out of a combination of morals and values and help a person to set certain boundaries for themselves or in the case of a profession; for its members.
Having a sound combination of morals, values and ethics enables one to develop sound principles. It can therefore be said that if you have good principles, then you are likely to conduct yourself in an ethically sound manner.
Far from being cut-and-dried however, there are very blurred thin grey lines of boundaries between these and more often than not, upbringing, social backgrounds and religious beliefs can play an extensive role in a person’s morals, values and principles which in turn affect their ethics.
For example, I was brought up in a christian home and in a culture where extramarital sexual relations are wrong and frowned upon. Because of this background, culture and belief I strongly believed that I had to remain I virgin till my wedding day. My principles, values and morals , moulded by my upbringing informed what was 'ethically' right for me.
I have several good friends who are living with their partners and have children but have no intention of getting married
‘Ethics’ is defined as: ‘moral principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity’; they tend to be values imposed by one’s self or by a group on its members.
‘Morals’ is defined as: ‘standards of behavior; principles of right and wrong’; they tend to be imposed by society.
‘Principle’ is defined as: A rule or belief governing one's personal behavior
‘Values’ is defined as: principles or standards of behavior; one’s judgement of what is important in life:
High standard of morals will set standards of behavior for an individual and help them distinguish between right and wrong.
Their values will help them determine what is important in life. And help in moral dilemmas where it’s a case of choosing between right and right as opposed to choosing between right and wrong.
Ethics are formulated out of a combination of morals and values and help a person to set certain boundaries for themselves or in the case of a profession; for its members.
Having a sound combination of morals, values and ethics enables one to develop sound principles. It can therefore be said that if you have good principles, then you are likely to conduct yourself in an ethically sound manner.
Far from being cut-and-dried however, there are very blurred thin grey lines of boundaries between these and more often than not, upbringing, social backgrounds and religious beliefs can play an extensive role in a person’s morals, values and principles which in turn affect their ethics.
For example, I was brought up in a christian home and in a culture where extramarital sexual relations are wrong and frowned upon. Because of this background, culture and belief I strongly believed that I had to remain I virgin till my wedding day. My principles, values and morals , moulded by my upbringing informed what was 'ethically' right for me.
I have several good friends who are living with their partners and have children but have no intention of getting married