why is ethics important in life essay

Ethical Values in Everyday Life Essay

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Values in life are crucial elements in learning and the working environment; therefore, the development of a human character depends on moral values and ethics. As human beings, following moral aspects is essential since they are association and relationship tools. These tools build life principles through honesty, respect, responsibility, and compassion. Though many, dignity lifts the essence of ethics to a particular level by allowing someone to have self-discipline. This helps determine the good and wrong and guides people in daily activities. Personal qualities that portray principle standards build a character that markets an individual and is used in places like receptions. Morally, people are expected to show respect to the elderly though important to respect everybody. In most cases, school life and daily activities present tough situations, but when we apply ethics, we become moral.

Sometimes people offer tokens requesting favors which creates ethical dilemmas. In other cases, we are tempted o receive credit on behalf of others. This action is immoral and unethical, but the dilemma means the options are possible, though wrong. This hits the decision-making aspects that control how right or right a person seems in society. Interacting with a business exposes many people to ethical and moral dilemmas. These situations may present straightforward solutions though some people find it had to apply. This situation requires critical thinking to employ the best solutions that are morally upright. The challenges need a sensitive person who considers humanity in daily activities. The first step is to analyze the problem at hand in a logically refuted way. Considering the best ethical way possible is vital, leaving out the evil to remold new problem-solving ideas. Alternative means may be formulated to reunite the broken bonds between co-workers and business partners.

Time aspect inflicts change in everything regarding values, ethics, and morals. In the past times, moral values revolved around physical activities. The elderly and youth had existing backgrounds regarding communication and greetings in cultural setups. In the present, technology has brought people together regardless of age and culture. These interactions create work-based ethics in their interactions and apply work and business principles. All skills applied in the current work environment are acquired from a learning perspective. Core values result from different codes of life that present moral uprightness. Based on events and places, moral values fit the particular situation. For instance, greeting in Africa is a custom that youth must follow whenever they meet the elderly, especially in village life. In other situations, it is considered ethical when people treat each other equally. Traveling and interacting with different cultures changes some ethical aspects making some values inapplicable.

The current generation is insensitive to moral values, and most aspects are under technical masks. Most people think you only talk when talked to, and they do not consider answering a must. Sometimes if you are in a problem and need some advice and approach someone rude, it creates a barrier to your assistance towards the same in the future. These aspects make it hard to apply ethics in every situation because most people deny their mistakes which can be solved ethically. Individual encounters with immoral people influence the person, meaning the person may fail to express all the moral values. Moral judgments are dissimilar and applied in various ways, and fitting in every ethical aspect is challenging.

Through a hard situation, Being ethical is a personal decision trying to close eyes to all immoral behaviors. Humanity aspect is a key to all ethical rules that improve personal character. It is recommendable to treat all people just the way you would like them to treat you. Sometimes it is good to forget culture since it may be against others ethically. A civil person is respectful to everyone and can fit in every situation; it is advisable to consider being civil in ethics. Through ethics, people enhance the lives around them, and they add value to each other. Mistakes are common, but it is good to take responsibility when committed. Change is evitable through personal reflection, and one’s behavior can be improved. All ethical considerations enhance individual well-being and interpersonal interactions.

Based on ethics, a learning tool is better portrayed to society so that people will gain ideas from you. Life is short and should be enjoyed positively with all the shortcomings and immorality. Though some things are challenging, your approach may train people to relate with their friends and family. This interaction becomes mutual when respecting each other and considering life’s positive side. When someone makes a mistake and another is furious, it will be great if they are correcdted through great ideas you ever used to solve your problems. Calm Handling every situation is a divine idea that makes one a gem in a community. The family prides on ina good and civil person since they trust his life approaches. The positivity left behind improves principle standards which build a great society. Learning through a person provides reviews and new ideas on the sacredness of life.

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Essay on Ethics for Students and Children

500+ words essay on ethics.

Essay on Ethics – Ethics refers to the concepts of right and wrong conduct. Furthermore, ethics is basically a branch of philosophy dealing with the issue of morality. Moreover, ethics consist of the rules of behavior. It certainly defines how a person should behave in specific situations. The origin of ethics is old and it started from the Stone Age . Most noteworthy, over the centuries many religions and philosophers have made contributions to ethics.

Branches of Ethics

First of all, comes the descriptive branch of ethics. Descriptive ethics involve what people actually believe to be right or wrong. On the basis of this, the law decides whether certain human actions are acceptable or not. Most noteworthy, the moral principles of society keep changing from time to time. Therefore, descriptive ethics are also known as comparative ethics. This is because; it compares the ethics of past and present as well as ethics of one society and another.

Normative ethics is another important branch of ethics. Moreover, Normative ethics deals with certain norms or set of considerations. Furthermore, these norms or set of considerations dictate how one should act. Therefore, normative ethics sets out the rightness or wrongness of actions or behaviours. Another name for normative ethics is prescriptive ethics. This is because; it has principles which determine whether an action is right or wrong.

Meta-ethics consists of the origin of the ethical concepts themselves. Meta-ethics is not concerned whether an action is good or evil. Rather, meta-ethics questions what morality itself is. Therefore, meta-ethics questions the very essence of goodness or rightness. Most noteworthy, it is a highly abstract way of analyzing ethics.

Applied ethics involves philosophical examination or certain private and public life issues. Furthermore, this examination of issues takes place from a moral standpoint. Moreover, this branch of ethics is very essential for professionals. Also, these professionals belong to different walks of life and include doctors , teachers , administrators, rulers.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Applications of Ethics

Bioethicists deal with the ethical questions that arise in the relationships among life sciences, biotechnology, medicine, politics, and philosophy. Furthermore, Bioethics refers to the study of controversial ethics brought about by advances in biology and medicine .

Ethics also have a significant application in business. Moreover, business ethics examines ethical principles in relation to a business environment.

Military ethics involve the questions regarding the application of ethos of the soldier. Furthermore, military ethics involves the laws of war. Moreover, it also includes the question of justification of initiating military force.

Public sector ethics deals with a set of principles that guide public officials in their service. Furthermore, the public sector involves the morality of decision making. Most noteworthy, it consists of the question of what best serves the public’s interests.

In conclusion, ethics is certainly one of the most important requirements of humanity. Furthermore, without ethics, the world would have been an evil and chaotic place. Also, the advancement of humanity is not possible without ethics. There must be widespread awareness of ethics among the youth of society.

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Introduction of moral codes

• Problems of divine origin
• Nonhuman behaviour
• Kinship and reciprocity
• Anthropology and ethics
• The Middle East
• Ancient Greece
• The Epicureans
• Ethics in the New Testament
• St. Augustine
• St. Thomas Aquinas and the Scholastics
• Machiavelli
• The first Protestants
• Early intuitionists: Cudworth, More, and Clarke
• Shaftesbury and the moral sense school
• Butler on self-interest and conscience
• The climax of moral sense theory: Hutcheson and Hume
• The intuitionist response: Price and Reid
• Moore and the naturalistic fallacy
• Modern intuitionism
• Existentialism
• Universal prescriptivism
• Moral realism
• Kantian constructivism: a middle ground?
• Irrealist views: projectivism and expressivism
• Ethics and reasons for action
• The debate over consequentialism
• Varieties of consequentialism
• Objections to consequentialism
• An ethics of prima facie duties
• Rawls’s theory of justice
• Rights theories
• Natural law ethics
• Virtue ethics
• Feminist ethics
• Ethical egoism
• Environmental ethics
• War and peace
• Abortion, euthanasia, and the value of human life

What is ethics?

How is ethics different from morality, why does ethics matter, is ethics a social science.

• What did Aristotle do?

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• Humanities LibreTexts - What is Ethics?
• Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Ethics and Contrastivism
• Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Empathy and Sympathy in Ethics
• VIVA Open Publishing - Ethics and Society - Ethical Behavior and Moral Values in Everyday Life
• Philosophy Basics - Ethics
• American Medical Association - Journal of Ethics - Triage and Ethics
• Psychology Today - Ethics and Morality
• Government of Canada - Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat - What is ethics?
• Cornell Law School - Legal Information Institute - Ethics
• ethics and morality - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
• Table Of Contents

The term ethics may refer to the philosophical study of the concepts of moral right and wrong and moral good and bad, to any philosophical theory of what is morally right and wrong or morally good and bad, and to any system or code of moral rules, principles, or values. The last may be associated with particular religions , cultures, professions, or virtually any other group that is at least partly characterized by its moral outlook.

Traditionally, ethics referred to the philosophical study of morality, the latter being a more or less systematic set of beliefs, usually held in common by a group, about how people should live. Ethics also referred to particular philosophical theories of morality. Later the term was applied to particular (and narrower) moral codes or value systems. Ethics and morality are now used almost interchangeably in many contexts, but the name of the philosophical study remains ethics .

Ethics matters because (1) it is part of how many groups define themselves and thus part of the identity of their individual members, (2) other-regarding values in most ethical systems both reflect and foster close human relationships and mutual respect and trust, and (3) it could be “rational” for a self-interested person to be moral, because his or her self-interest is arguably best served in the long run by reciprocating the moral behaviour of others.

No. Understood as equivalent to morality, ethics could be studied as a social-psychological or historical phenomenon, but in that case it would be an object of social-scientific study, not a social science in itself. Understood as the philosophical study of moral concepts, ethics is a branch of philosophy , not of social science.

ethics , the discipline concerned with what is morally good and bad and morally right and wrong. The term is also applied to any system or theory of moral values or principles.

(Read Britannica’s biography of this author, Peter Singer.)

How should we live? Shall we aim at happiness or at knowledge, virtue , or the creation of beautiful objects? If we choose happiness, will it be our own or the happiness of all? And what of the more particular questions that face us: is it right to be dishonest in a good cause? Can we justify living in opulence while elsewhere in the world people are starving? Is going to war justified in cases where it is likely that innocent people will be killed? Is it wrong to clone a human being or to destroy human embryos in medical research? What are our obligations, if any, to the generations of humans who will come after us and to the nonhuman animals with whom we share the planet?

Ethics deals with such questions at all levels. Its subject consists of the fundamental issues of practical decision making , and its major concerns include the nature of ultimate value and the standards by which human actions can be judged right or wrong .

The terms ethics and morality are closely related. It is now common to refer to ethical judgments or to ethical principles where it once would have been more accurate to speak of moral judgments or moral principles. These applications are an extension of the meaning of ethics. In earlier usage, the term referred not to morality itself but to the field of study, or branch of inquiry, that has morality as its subject matter. In this sense, ethics is equivalent to moral philosophy.

Although ethics has always been viewed as a branch of philosophy , its all-embracing practical nature links it with many other areas of study, including anthropology , biology , economics , history , politics , sociology , and theology . Yet, ethics remains distinct from such disciplines because it is not a matter of factual knowledge in the way that the sciences and other branches of inquiry are. Rather, it has to do with determining the nature of normative theories and applying these sets of principles to practical moral problems.

This article, then, will deal with ethics as a field of philosophy, especially as it has developed in the West. For coverage of religious conceptions of ethics and the ethical systems associated with world religions, see Buddhism ; Christianity ; Confucianism ; Hinduism ; Jainism ; Judaism ; Sikhism .

The origins of ethics

Mythical accounts.

When did ethics begin and how did it originate? If one has in mind ethics proper—i.e., the systematic study of what is morally right and wrong—it is clear that ethics could have come into existence only when human beings started to reflect on the best way to live. This reflective stage emerged long after human societies had developed some kind of morality, usually in the form of customary standards of right and wrong conduct . The process of reflection tended to arise from such customs, even if in the end it may have found them wanting. Accordingly, ethics began with the introduction of the first moral codes .

Virtually every human society has some form of myth to explain the origin of morality. In the Louvre in Paris there is a black Babylonian column with a relief showing the sun god Shamash presenting the code of laws to Hammurabi (died c. 1750 bce ), known as the Code of Hammurabi . The Hebrew Bible ( Old Testament ) account of God’s giving the Ten Commandments to Moses (flourished 14th–13th century bce ) on Mount Sinai might be considered another example. In the dialogue Protagoras by Plato (428/427–348/347 bce ), there is an avowedly mythical account of how Zeus took pity on the hapless humans, who were physically no match for the other beasts. To make up for these deficiencies, Zeus gave humans a moral sense and the capacity for law and justice , so that they could live in larger communities and cooperate with one another.

That morality should be invested with all the mystery and power of divine origin is not surprising. Nothing else could provide such strong reasons for accepting the moral law. By attributing a divine origin to morality, the priesthood became its interpreter and guardian and thereby secured for itself a power that it would not readily relinquish. This link between morality and religion has been so firmly forged that it is still sometimes asserted that there can be no morality without religion. According to this view, ethics is not an independent field of study but rather a branch of theology ( see moral theology ).

There is some difficulty, already known to Plato, with the view that morality was created by a divine power. In his dialogue Euthyphro , Plato considered the suggestion that it is divine approval that makes an action good . Plato pointed out that, if this were the case, one could not say that the gods approve of such actions because they are good. Why then do they approve of them? Is their approval entirely arbitrary? Plato considered this impossible and so held that there must be some standards of right or wrong that are independent of the likes and dislikes of the gods. Modern philosophers have generally accepted Plato’s argument, because the alternative implies that if, for example, the gods had happened to approve of torturing children and to disapprove of helping one’s neighbours, then torture would have been good and neighbourliness bad.

What is ethics and why is it important?

 Question: Does acting ethically mean the same thing as being a good person?

Share this video with others you feel are good people and see how they respond to the situations presented. What would you do?

[BrainCraft]. (2015, August 14).  Can You Solve This Dilemma? [Video] . YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xHKxrc0PHg&t=1s

Did you ever wonder why we live as we do? Why do we have school? Taxes? Health insurance? Elected officials? Countries and boarders? Cars? Smartphones?

Did you ever wonder why bad things happen in our world? Like why do we have wars? Slavery? Pollution? Poverty? Crime? Violence?

All of these things did not happen by chance. They are the result of ethical decision making . All things happen because of the decisions of individuals and groups of people who either create change or remain silent as change happens.

As the trolley problem shows, decisions can be complex. How do you make the right decision? How do you behave as a good person? Do you save the most people? Do nothing at all? Do you find out why those people were tied to those tracks in the first place?

To become proficient in making ethical decisions, it helps to understand ethical concepts. For example, are all these words synonyms for the word '  ethical  '?

Make a list of these words and define them in your own words:

Would everyone you know define these in the same way?

What about your values? Where did you get your values? Do you consider them carefully and change them as you learn?

Here is a list of some values:

• Being accepted

When making a decision, which of these values take priority? Is it the same for all of your friends, family and leaders? This is what makes ethics complex. Ethics emerges when values come into conflict. But how does a person or group of people address different values to make the most ethical decision? Can you see why it may be difficult to find clear right answers when making ethical decisions?

Here are some questions that may help you decide whether ethics in important!

If a company develops a vaccine that everyone needs, should everyone get access to it? Including those who cannot afford it? If so, who should pay for that?

Should everyone have access to good food and water? Including those who cannot afford it? If so, who should pay for that?

If having a smartphone or second car means communities will have polluted water and a lower quality of life, should you purchase them?

Should people in power like company executives have salaries hundreds of times higher than the cost of living where their employees make less than the cost of living?

Should a person be excluded from having certain jobs or living in certain places because of where they were born or how they look?

If you feel these are important questions, then you are interested in ethics! Ethics and ethical decision making processes provide the means of addressing these complex issues.

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Essay on Ethics In Life

Students are often asked to write an essay on Ethics In Life in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Ethics In Life

What are ethics.

Ethics are rules about right and wrong that guide us in life. They help us decide how to act in different situations. Think of them as a moral compass that points to good behavior.

Why Ethics Matter

Ethics are important because they create trust and peace in communities. When we follow ethical rules, we show respect for others and ourselves. This makes it easier for people to get along.

Examples of Ethics

Being honest, fair, and kind are all examples of ethical behavior. Not cheating on a test or not bullying someone are ways we practice ethics every day.

Learning About Ethics

We learn ethics from our families, schools, and friends. Books, stories, and discussions in class can also teach us what is right or wrong.

Challenges to Ethics

250 words essay on ethics in life.

Ethics are like rules for deciding what is good or bad. They guide us to act in a way that is fair and kind to others. Imagine if you found a lost wallet. Ethics help you choose to return it instead of keeping it for yourself. They are not laws written by a government, but rather personal principles we live by.

Ethics matter because they make us trust each other. When we are honest and caring, we create a happy and safe place for everyone. For example, when we don’t cheat in games or tests, we show that we can be trusted. This trust builds friendships and makes our families, schools, and communities stronger.

Learning Ethics

We start learning ethics from a young age. Our family, teachers, and friends show us how to share, tell the truth, and treat others nicely. These lessons are like seeds that grow into our own sense of right and wrong. As we get older, these seeds become stronger, helping us make good choices even when it’s tough.

Using Ethics Every Day

Every day, we use ethics to make choices. When we see someone being bullied, ethics tell us to speak up or get help. When we have the chance to lie to get out of trouble, ethics remind us that being honest is important. By using ethics, we can be proud of the choices we make.

In life, ethics are our invisible friends, guiding us to be the best we can be. They help us live together in peace and make sure everyone is treated fairly. By following these simple rules, we create a world that is good for all of us.

500 Words Essay on Ethics In Life

Why are ethics important.

Ethics are important because they help us live together peacefully. They make sure we treat each other kindly and fairly. For example, when you find a lost wallet, ethics tell you to return it rather than keep it. This makes the person who lost it happy and helps you feel good about doing the right thing.

Learning Ethics at Home

Our first lessons in ethics come from our families. Parents and older family members teach us to say “please” and “thank you,” to share, and not to hit others. These simple lessons are the building blocks of ethics. They help us understand that thinking about others’ feelings is just as important as our own.

Practicing Ethics at School

Friendship and ethics.

Ethics are super important in friendships. They teach us to be loyal, which means sticking by our friends even when times are tough. They also remind us not to spread rumors or talk behind someone’s back because it can hurt feelings and break trust.

Playing Fair in Sports

In sports, ethics show up as sportsmanship. This means playing by the rules, not cheating, and being a good winner or a brave loser. It’s about respecting the game, the players, and even the referees, no matter if we win or lose.

Using Ethics Online

Looking after our planet.

Ethics also tell us to care for our Earth. We can do this by recycling, saving water, and not littering. When we look after our planet, we make sure it stays beautiful and healthy for all the animals, plants, and people who live on it.

In conclusion, ethics are like a compass that guides us through life. They help us make choices that are good for us and for everyone around us. By following these invisible rules, we build a world that is kinder, fairer, and more beautiful for everyone. Remember, it’s the little choices we make every day that shape our lives and the world we live in.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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Ethics and Morality

Morality, Ethics, Evil, Greed

Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff

To put it simply, ethics represents the moral code that guides a person’s choices and behaviors throughout their life. The idea of a moral code extends beyond the individual to include what is determined to be right, and wrong, for a community or society at large.

Ethics is concerned with rights, responsibilities, use of language, what it means to live an ethical life, and how people make moral decisions. We may think of moralizing as an intellectual exercise, but more frequently it's an attempt to make sense of our gut instincts and reactions. It's a subjective concept, and many people have strong and stubborn beliefs about what's right and wrong that can place them in direct contrast to the moral beliefs of others. Yet even though morals may vary from person to person, religion to religion, and culture to culture, many have been found to be universal, stemming from basic human emotions.

• The Science of Being Virtuous
• Understanding Amorality
• The Stages of Moral Development

Those who are considered morally good are said to be virtuous, holding themselves to high ethical standards, while those viewed as morally bad are thought of as wicked, sinful, or even criminal. Morality was a key concern of Aristotle, who first studied questions such as “What is moral responsibility?” and “What does it take for a human being to be virtuous?”

We used to think that people are born with a blank slate, but research has shown that people have an innate sense of morality . Of course, parents and the greater society can certainly nurture and develop morality and ethics in children.

Humans are ethical and moral regardless of religion and God. People are not fundamentally good nor are they fundamentally evil. However, a Pew study found that atheists are much less likely than theists to believe that there are "absolute standards of right and wrong." In effect, atheism does not undermine morality, but the atheist’s conception of morality may depart from that of the traditional theist.

Animals are like humans—and humans are animals, after all. Many studies have been conducted across animal species, and more than 90 percent of their behavior is what can be identified as “prosocial” or positive. Plus, you won’t find mass warfare in animals as you do in humans. Hence, in a way, you can say that animals are more moral than humans.

The examination of moral psychology involves the study of moral philosophy but the field is more concerned with how a person comes to make a right or wrong decision, rather than what sort of decisions he or she should have made. Character, reasoning, responsibility, and altruism , among other areas, also come into play, as does the development of morality.

The seven deadly sins were first enumerated in the sixth century by Pope Gregory I, and represent the sweep of immoral behavior. Also known as the cardinal sins or seven deadly vices, they are vanity, jealousy , anger , laziness, greed, gluttony, and lust. People who demonstrate these immoral behaviors are often said to be flawed in character. Some modern thinkers suggest that virtue often disguises a hidden vice; it just depends on where we tip the scale .

An amoral person has no sense of, or care for, what is right or wrong. There is no regard for either morality or immorality. Conversely, an immoral person knows the difference, yet he does the wrong thing, regardless. The amoral politician, for example, has no conscience and makes choices based on his own personal needs; he is oblivious to whether his actions are right or wrong.

One could argue that the actions of Wells Fargo, for example, were amoral if the bank had no sense of right or wrong. In the 2016 fraud scandal, the bank created fraudulent savings and checking accounts for millions of clients, unbeknownst to them. Of course, if the bank knew what it was doing all along, then the scandal would be labeled immoral.

Everyone tells white lies to a degree, and often the lie is done for the greater good. But the idea that a small percentage of people tell the lion’s share of lies is the Pareto principle, the law of the vital few. It is 20 percent of the population that accounts for 80 percent of a behavior.

We do know what is right from wrong . If you harm and injure another person, that is wrong. However, what is right for one person, may well be wrong for another. A good example of this dichotomy is the religious conservative who thinks that a woman’s right to her body is morally wrong. In this case, one’s ethics are based on one’s values; and the moral divide between values can be vast.

Psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg established his stages of moral development in 1958. This framework has led to current research into moral psychology. Kohlberg's work addresses the process of how we think of right and wrong and is based on Jean Piaget's theory of moral judgment for children. His stages include pre-conventional, conventional, post-conventional, and what we learn in one stage is integrated into the subsequent stages.

The pre-conventional stage is driven by obedience and punishment . This is a child's view of what is right or wrong. Examples of this thinking: “I hit my brother and I received a time-out.” “How can I avoid punishment?” “What's in it for me?” 

The conventional stage is when we accept societal views on rights and wrongs. In this stage people follow rules with a  good boy  and nice girl  orientation. An example of this thinking: “Do it for me.” This stage also includes law-and-order morality: “Do your duty.”

The post-conventional stage is more abstract: “Your right and wrong is not my right and wrong.” This stage goes beyond social norms and an individual develops his own moral compass, sticking to personal principles of what is ethical or not.

Moral disengagement involves both perpetration and disavowal. Understanding the impact of moral disengagement in relationships and society is important for healing.

Your client wants to remain in a romantic relationship that you believe is highly toxic. What is your priority for helping the client—their wishes or their interests?

Recent news stories about mental health facilities and involuntary hospitalization echo debates from the past and require historical contextualization.

Education is about the formation of a person. ChatGPT and related technologies undermine this important task.

Throughout history, some cultures have tried to suppress things beautiful. While they succeeded to some extent, beauty always found its way, just as water finds the sea.

We don't often pay attention to the feelings, thoughts, and sensations driving our actions. Mindful balance of head and heart is key to making the “right” decision. Here's how.

Research sheds light on shared personality traits of people with strong moral character.

Personal Perspective: Many people who access death-with-dignity medication do not use it, but are still comforted by having autonomy and choice. Here's a real-life story.

An intentional response to the climate crisis.

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Home Essay Samples Philosophy

Essay Samples on Ethics in Everyday Life

A life of integrity: how to live an ethical life.

Living an ethical life is a conscious and deliberate choice to uphold values that promote goodness, respect, and fairness in our interactions with others and the world around us. Ethical living transcends personal gain and societal norms, focusing on principles that contribute to the well-being...

• Ethics in Everyday Life

Why is Responsibility Important in Everyday Life

What is social responsibility, why is responsibility important? Social responsibility is a duty every individual has to perform to the community. A better future is what we seek for the upcoming generation and youth and the best to bring about the expected changes is when...

• Responsibility
• Socialization

The Ethical Issues Of Good And Evil In Everyday Life

This world, though it may seem very black and white, actually has a lot of gray area that people have a hard time seeing and feeling. People generally see the world or the people in this world as either good or evil, but I believe...

• Good and Evil

The Moral Concepts Of Good And Evil In Life

Life is a unique blend of good and bad things and it is very easy to get diverted by the bad things in life. Nobody’s life is perfect in this world, despite the imperfection one must find a way to lead a good life. But...

Ethics Of Mobile Phone Overuse And Its Impact On Interpersonal Relationships

Introduction Phones have made a huge impact in society in the last 10 years. To be able to enter the internet from your pocket, to talking with someone that lives halfway across the world. Having lunch with your friends you see people all around on...

• Interpersonal Communication
• Negative Impact of Technology

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Ethics: A Guiding Light in Human Life

Ethics must be the primary source of reference when it comes to evaluate a situation through acting upon it by making a decision. What’s right and what’s wrong depends on the perception of the person that is derived from the certain values that humans hold....

• Decision Making

Exploring the Importance of Ethics in Our Lives

 Ethics is the discipline of moral and principle involvement to gain knowledge and experience. This specific code of conduct administers our thoughts so as to walk away from certain situations, almost like fleet or flight. “Rome was not built in a day”, it relates to...

How Spirituality and Ethics Connect to Our Life

Spirituality is based on humanistic values while Ethics is based on moral principal. It has been know that spirituality can come from religious beliefs. The belief that everything you do is judged not by man but God himself, spiritually uses understanding to connect with the...

• Spirituality

How To Go Through Life Without Fighting

With all the joyful information there is always a lot of compassion. The festive moments have their share of instant despair. That's life. The encouraging exchange of a pregnancy and the hope of a new life that must be born have an effect that causes...

• Personal Philosophy

Best topics on Ethics in Everyday Life

1. A Life of Integrity: How to Live an Ethical Life

2. Why is Responsibility Important in Everyday Life

3. The Ethical Issues Of Good And Evil In Everyday Life

4. The Moral Concepts Of Good And Evil In Life

5. Ethics Of Mobile Phone Overuse And Its Impact On Interpersonal Relationships

6. Ethics: A Guiding Light in Human Life

7. Exploring the Importance of Ethics in Our Lives

8. How Spirituality and Ethics Connect to Our Life

9. How To Go Through Life Without Fighting

• Personal Identity
• Human Nature
• Michel Foucault
• Philosophy of Education
• Allegory of The Cave

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Student Essays

Essay on Ethics | Meaning, Role & Importance of Ethics Essay

Ethics are the pillars of a stable and smooth life. A society where ethics and moral values are duly regarded, climbs on the ladder of progress and prosperity. Whether you are a student, working as teacher, nurse, doctor or a businessman, you needed to follow the path of ethics for a prosperous and healthy living.

We have shortlisted these essay on ethics, that define ethics, meaning, purpose & importance of ethics in our lives. These short & long essays are really helpful for children and students

Essay on Ethics | Role Value & Importance of Ethics in human Life Essay

Ethic describes the moral standards of right and wrong as well as the moral requirements of good and bad conduct. Albert Camus once wrote, “A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon the world”.

Types of Ethics

Here is a brief look at the four main categories of ethics:

1. Duty Ethics :  It relates ethics to religious beliefs. Defining right and wrong behavior or actions, these ethics are also called deontological ethics. Ethics are taught from the beginning. We must follow them to fulfill our duties.

2. Virtue Ethics :  Ethics refers to personal behavior of an individual. The focus is on a person’s moral values , mentality, and character. As children, we are also inculcated with virtue ethics. We are taught what is right and wrong even if there is no logic to it in many cases.

3. Relativistic Ethics :  In line with this, everything is equal. Everyone is free to form his own opinion, based on his own analysis of the situation. This theory holds that what works for one may not be right for another. The same thing may apply in one situation, but not the other.

4. Consequential Ethics :  In the Era of Enlightenment, rationalism was a goal. These ethical values are associated with that quest. According to this ethical theory, the outcome of an individual’s behavior determines whether his actions are wrong or right.

Ethics Vary in Each Culture

According to some, ethics are values that must be taught since childhood, and that one must strictly adhere to them. If one disobeys these, they are viewed as deviant. Quite a few people are very rigid when it comes to the ethical codes. Their behavior is constantly judged by others.

However, there are also people who are flexible about these issues and feel that they can be adapted to some degree depending on the situation. As such, the basic ethical and moral codes expected from individuals are almost the same from nation to nation. Nevertheless, there may be some ethical behaviors that are right in some cultures but not accepted in others. It is ethically wrong for women in many eastern countries to wear short dresses, whereas women in western countries can wear any outfit they choose.

Conclusion:  Ethics can be described in many different ways according to different schools of thought. Some people follow the norms of right and wrong, while others make up their own standards.

Essay on Ethics, Values | Ethics in Personal & Professional Life

The concept of ethics refers to the behavior one should display in any given circumstance. From an early age, ethical values are deeply ingrained in us and almost every decision we make throughout our lives is guided by them. Ethics determine whether a person is good or bad.

In both our personal and professional lives, ethics are extremely important. Someone who holds high ethical standards, believes in them, and follows them will be far more sorted than someone who follows the ethical norms without truly believing in them. And then there are still others – those who don’t believe in ethical norms and disregard them. There may be disruptions in peace in society as a result of these factors.

Importance of Ethics in Our Personal Life

The morals and ethical values of the society in which people are raised influence their minds. It is impossible to undermine the importance of ethics. It is critical to teach children from the beginning which behaviors are acceptable in society and which are not so that they can interact with the society effectively. Basically, this system was put into place to teach people how to behave properly and to maintain a peaceful and harmonious society.

People find it easier to make decisions once they have defined right and wrong. Consider a world where there were no definition for right and wrong. Everyone would act according to their own definition of right and wrong. Chaos and crime would result from this.

Ethics at Work Place/Professional Life

Ethics play a vital role in the workplace. The ethics and values set by society are not the only ethical values determined by organizations. For the organization’s code of conduct to remain effective, everyone working there must follow them. For example, ethical codes of conduct set by organizations state that employees must be treated fairly, honesty must be maintained, company secrets must never be leake, respect for coworkers must always be observed, and problems with management or employees must be addressed politely without creating unnecessary commotion.

This helps to ensure an organization’s smooth functioning. Employees who violate the ethical code run the risk of receiving warning letters or being penalized differently depending on the severity of the issue.

Whenever an organization lacks the set ethical codes, chaos and inefficiencies are likely to ensue. This is why it is essential that each organization establishes these standards. In an organization, ethical codes are not only important for ensuring a good working environment, but they also instruct employees on how to handle customers in different situations. Ethics are fundamentally a reflection of an organization’s core values and responsibilities.

Conclusion:  Ethics must be set for the society, for the workplace, and for all other institutions. People are able to recognize what is right and what is wrong, and it encourages them to behave in the right manner.

Essay on Importance of Ethics For a Student

Ethos is the Ancient Greek word for habits, customs, or character, and hence was used as the basis for the term ethics. The real meaning of ethics is found in this. It is clear from one’s habits and character that he or she is guided by ethical values. The character of a person is defined by their ethical values. As a society, we set ethical norms that determine what is good and what is bad.

Ethics provides a set of definitions for terms such as right and wrong, good and evil, virtue and vice. We constantly think about the ethical and moral values we were taught from an early age whenever we are in doubt, and this always gives us clarity.

These rules of ethics are supposed to promote the well-being of society and the overall happiness of the people living there, but sometimes they can cause some people to be unhappy. This is due to people going overboard with them. Early in Indian history, women were seen as housewives. The women were not allowed to work outside their home or to question the decisions of the male family members.

Many people still adhere to the ethics and norms defined centuries ago, although nowadays women are given the freedom to go out and work and take various decisions for themselves. Women are still held to the belief that their place is in the kitchen and that going out to work is unethical for them.

>> Related Post:  ” Essay on Helen Keller ”

Thus, ethics and moral values must go into the hearts and minds of people in order for society to function smoothly as well as to be redefined periodically for a community’s good.

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Ethics in Life and Business

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We are all encouraged to make ethical choices and apply ethics in all areas of our lives. But what does ethics mean, and why do ethics matter for business?

We can think of ethics as the principles that guide our behavior toward making the best choices that contribute to the common good of all. Ethics is what guides us to tell the truth, keep our promises, or help someone in need. There is a framework of ethics underlying our lives on a daily basis, helping us make decisions that create positive impacts and steering us away from unjust outcomes. Ethics guides us to make the world a better place through the choices we make.

Ethics in business is just as important as ethics in personal life. Business leaders have a unique role and a great responsibility in shaping the ethical culture of their businesses, and thereby influence their broader communities as well.

Key Questions to Ask

Business leaders may not set out to define the ethical culture of their businesses but they inevitably do. Here are a few key questions to consider to bring ethics into your business mindset:

• How do I define the common good for my business? What does it mean for my customers, my employees, the community where my business is located, my investors, and my supporters?
• How do I make good ethical decisions? How do I analyze a situation and make a decision that positively contributes to the common good?
• How can I influence the character of my business?
• What kinds of structural conditions or company policies do I need to put in place to create an ethical culture?
• How will I monitor the ethical culture of my business?
• How will I address or correct unethical behavior in my business?

How Ethics May be Tested

Business leaders, and entrepreneurs especially, are under tremendous pressure and can face very significant ethical challenges. Here are a few examples of how unethical decisions arise for entrepreneurs:

• If I exaggerate the number of customers or orders I have, I could attract more investors and get better funding.
• If I tell customers all the features on our product roadmap are available now, I could close more deals.
• I can save some money if I choose a production facility that does not abide by environmental laws.

Ethics and Social Responsibility

Social responsibility is the idea that an individual (or organization) has an obligation to act for the benefit of society at large. Today, social responsibility has become an important part of culture at businesses of all sizes. TOMS Shoes is an excellent example of a business that prioritizes social responsibility. TOMS was founded with the commitment to provide a new pair of shoes for a child in need for every pair of shoes purchased. The company has now expanded to support other causes such as safe water, mental health, and equality. TOMS Shoes’ inspirational tagline “Stand for Tomorrow” communicates its dedication to social responsibility in just three words.

Social responsibility can be practiced in big or small ways every day. Businesses can volunteer with local organizations, donate funds to a chosen cause, sponsor a neighborhood group or sports team, and much more. Even planting flowers, applying a fresh coat of paint, or picking up trash in front of your store has a positive impact on the community surrounding your business. When businesses give back, they not only contribute to the common good, they engage with their communities in meaningful ways, build morale among employees, and create positive regard for the business.

Ethics When Things Go Wrong

It is not easy to handle a business crisis, but avoiding it or postponing a response could make it worse. Businesses should think ethically when coming up with a plan to handle an ethical crisis. In other words, act in a way that promotes the greatest common good and encourages trust rather than diminishing it.

Some situations may warrant the advice of a lawyer and a crisis expert. Here are some general practices that could be followed:

• Be open and transparent
• Prioritize those impacted by the situation
• Fix the problem

Source: " Principles for Handling Ethics Crises ," Kirk O. Hanson, senior fellow of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University and former executive director of the Center

Ethics is a Lifestyle

Ethics has influence over the decisions we make and the actions we take, from our personal lives to our professional careers, and beyond. We are all part of an interconnected global community. Our contributions to the common good, no matter how big or how small, can have a lasting impact. Choosing an ethical lifestyle will ensure our impact is positive. Business leaders have a unique opportunity to create and influence the ethical culture of their businesses and among their stakeholders. Even bringing ethics into your business mindset will help you approach situations in a more ethical way. And if you are unsure how to create an ethical culture in your business, leading by example is a great way to start. It’s a simple as be good, do good. 

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National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Your environment. your health., what is ethics in research & why is it important, by david b. resnik, j.d., ph.d..

December 23, 2020

The ideas and opinions expressed in this essay are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of the NIH, NIEHS, or US government.

When most people think of ethics (or morals), they think of rules for distinguishing between right and wrong, such as the Golden Rule ("Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"), a code of professional conduct like the Hippocratic Oath ("First of all, do no harm"), a religious creed like the Ten Commandments ("Thou Shalt not kill..."), or a wise aphorisms like the sayings of Confucius. This is the most common way of defining "ethics": norms for conduct that distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

Most people learn ethical norms at home, at school, in church, or in other social settings. Although most people acquire their sense of right and wrong during childhood, moral development occurs throughout life and human beings pass through different stages of growth as they mature. Ethical norms are so ubiquitous that one might be tempted to regard them as simple commonsense. On the other hand, if morality were nothing more than commonsense, then why are there so many ethical disputes and issues in our society?

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One plausible explanation of these disagreements is that all people recognize some common ethical norms but interpret, apply, and balance them in different ways in light of their own values and life experiences. For example, two people could agree that murder is wrong but disagree about the morality of abortion because they have different understandings of what it means to be a human being.

Most societies also have legal rules that govern behavior, but ethical norms tend to be broader and more informal than laws. Although most societies use laws to enforce widely accepted moral standards and ethical and legal rules use similar concepts, ethics and law are not the same. An action may be legal but unethical or illegal but ethical. We can also use ethical concepts and principles to criticize, evaluate, propose, or interpret laws. Indeed, in the last century, many social reformers have urged citizens to disobey laws they regarded as immoral or unjust laws. Peaceful civil disobedience is an ethical way of protesting laws or expressing political viewpoints.

Another way of defining 'ethics' focuses on the disciplines that study standards of conduct, such as philosophy, theology, law, psychology, or sociology. For example, a "medical ethicist" is someone who studies ethical standards in medicine. One may also define ethics as a method, procedure, or perspective for deciding how to act and for analyzing complex problems and issues. For instance, in considering a complex issue like global warming , one may take an economic, ecological, political, or ethical perspective on the problem. While an economist might examine the cost and benefits of various policies related to global warming, an environmental ethicist could examine the ethical values and principles at stake.

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Many different disciplines, institutions , and professions have standards for behavior that suit their particular aims and goals. These standards also help members of the discipline to coordinate their actions or activities and to establish the public's trust of the discipline. For instance, ethical standards govern conduct in medicine, law, engineering, and business. Ethical norms also serve the aims or goals of research and apply to people who conduct scientific research or other scholarly or creative activities. There is even a specialized discipline, research ethics, which studies these norms. See Glossary of Commonly Used Terms in Research Ethics and Research Ethics Timeline .

There are several reasons why it is important to adhere to ethical norms in research. First, norms promote the aims of research , such as knowledge, truth, and avoidance of error. For example, prohibitions against fabricating , falsifying, or misrepresenting research data promote the truth and minimize error.

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Second, since research often involves a great deal of cooperation and coordination among many different people in different disciplines and institutions, ethical standards promote the values that are essential to collaborative work , such as trust, accountability, mutual respect, and fairness. For example, many ethical norms in research, such as guidelines for authorship , copyright and patenting policies , data sharing policies, and confidentiality rules in peer review, are designed to protect intellectual property interests while encouraging collaboration. Most researchers want to receive credit for their contributions and do not want to have their ideas stolen or disclosed prematurely.

Third, many of the ethical norms help to ensure that researchers can be held accountable to the public . For instance, federal policies on research misconduct, conflicts of interest, the human subjects protections, and animal care and use are necessary in order to make sure that researchers who are funded by public money can be held accountable to the public.

Fourth, ethical norms in research also help to build public support for research. People are more likely to fund a research project if they can trust the quality and integrity of research.

Finally, many of the norms of research promote a variety of other important moral and social values , such as social responsibility, human rights, animal welfare, compliance with the law, and public health and safety. Ethical lapses in research can significantly harm human and animal subjects, students, and the public. For example, a researcher who fabricates data in a clinical trial may harm or even kill patients, and a researcher who fails to abide by regulations and guidelines relating to radiation or biological safety may jeopardize his health and safety or the health and safety of staff and students.

Codes and Policies for Research Ethics

Given the importance of ethics for the conduct of research, it should come as no surprise that many different professional associations, government agencies, and universities have adopted specific codes, rules, and policies relating to research ethics. Many government agencies have ethics rules for funded researchers.

• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• Singapore Statement on Research Integrity
• American Chemical Society, The Chemist Professional’s Code of Conduct
• Code of Ethics (American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science)
• American Psychological Association, Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
• Statement on Professional Ethics (American Association of University Professors)
• Nuremberg Code
• World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki

Ethical Principles

The following is a rough and general summary of some ethical principles that various codes address*:

Strive for honesty in all scientific communications. Honestly report data, results, methods and procedures, and publication status. Do not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data. Do not deceive colleagues, research sponsors, or the public.

Objectivity

Strive to avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer review, personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other aspects of research where objectivity is expected or required. Avoid or minimize bias or self-deception. Disclose personal or financial interests that may affect research.

Keep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity; strive for consistency of thought and action.

Carefulness

Avoid careless errors and negligence; carefully and critically examine your own work and the work of your peers. Keep good records of research activities, such as data collection, research design, and correspondence with agencies or journals.

Share data, results, ideas, tools, resources. Be open to criticism and new ideas.

Transparency

Disclose methods, materials, assumptions, analyses, and other information needed to evaluate your research.

Accountability

Take responsibility for your part in research and be prepared to give an account (i.e. an explanation or justification) of what you did on a research project and why.

Intellectual Property

Honor patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property. Do not use unpublished data, methods, or results without permission. Give proper acknowledgement or credit for all contributions to research. Never plagiarize.

Confidentiality

Protect confidential communications, such as papers or grants submitted for publication, personnel records, trade or military secrets, and patient records.

Responsible Publication

Publish in order to advance research and scholarship, not to advance just your own career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative publication.

Responsible Mentoring

Help to educate, mentor, and advise students. Promote their welfare and allow them to make their own decisions.

Respect for Colleagues

Respect your colleagues and treat them fairly.

Social Responsibility

Strive to promote social good and prevent or mitigate social harms through research, public education, and advocacy.

Non-Discrimination

Avoid discrimination against colleagues or students on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, or other factors not related to scientific competence and integrity.

Maintain and improve your own professional competence and expertise through lifelong education and learning; take steps to promote competence in science as a whole.

Know and obey relevant laws and institutional and governmental policies.

Animal Care

Show proper respect and care for animals when using them in research. Do not conduct unnecessary or poorly designed animal experiments.

Human Subjects protection

When conducting research on human subjects, minimize harms and risks and maximize benefits; respect human dignity, privacy, and autonomy; take special precautions with vulnerable populations; and strive to distribute the benefits and burdens of research fairly.

* Adapted from Shamoo A and Resnik D. 2015. Responsible Conduct of Research, 3rd ed. (New York: Oxford University Press).

Ethical Decision Making in Research

Although codes, policies, and principles are very important and useful, like any set of rules, they do not cover every situation, they often conflict, and they require interpretation. It is therefore important for researchers to learn how to interpret, assess, and apply various research rules and how to make decisions and act ethically in various situations. The vast majority of decisions involve the straightforward application of ethical rules. For example, consider the following case:

The research protocol for a study of a drug on hypertension requires the administration of the drug at different doses to 50 laboratory mice, with chemical and behavioral tests to determine toxic effects. Tom has almost finished the experiment for Dr. Q. He has only 5 mice left to test. However, he really wants to finish his work in time to go to Florida on spring break with his friends, who are leaving tonight. He has injected the drug in all 50 mice but has not completed all of the tests. He therefore decides to extrapolate from the 45 completed results to produce the 5 additional results.

Many different research ethics policies would hold that Tom has acted unethically by fabricating data. If this study were sponsored by a federal agency, such as the NIH, his actions would constitute a form of research misconduct , which the government defines as "fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism" (or FFP). Actions that nearly all researchers classify as unethical are viewed as misconduct. It is important to remember, however, that misconduct occurs only when researchers intend to deceive : honest errors related to sloppiness, poor record keeping, miscalculations, bias, self-deception, and even negligence do not constitute misconduct. Also, reasonable disagreements about research methods, procedures, and interpretations do not constitute research misconduct. Consider the following case:

Dr. T has just discovered a mathematical error in his paper that has been accepted for publication in a journal. The error does not affect the overall results of his research, but it is potentially misleading. The journal has just gone to press, so it is too late to catch the error before it appears in print. In order to avoid embarrassment, Dr. T decides to ignore the error.

Dr. T's error is not misconduct nor is his decision to take no action to correct the error. Most researchers, as well as many different policies and codes would say that Dr. T should tell the journal (and any coauthors) about the error and consider publishing a correction or errata. Failing to publish a correction would be unethical because it would violate norms relating to honesty and objectivity in research.

There are many other activities that the government does not define as "misconduct" but which are still regarded by most researchers as unethical. These are sometimes referred to as " other deviations " from acceptable research practices and include:

• Publishing the same paper in two different journals without telling the editors
• Submitting the same paper to different journals without telling the editors
• Not informing a collaborator of your intent to file a patent in order to make sure that you are the sole inventor
• Including a colleague as an author on a paper in return for a favor even though the colleague did not make a serious contribution to the paper
• Discussing with your colleagues confidential data from a paper that you are reviewing for a journal
• Using data, ideas, or methods you learn about while reviewing a grant or a papers without permission
• Trimming outliers from a data set without discussing your reasons in paper
• Using an inappropriate statistical technique in order to enhance the significance of your research
• Bypassing the peer review process and announcing your results through a press conference without giving peers adequate information to review your work
• Conducting a review of the literature that fails to acknowledge the contributions of other people in the field or relevant prior work
• Stretching the truth on a grant application in order to convince reviewers that your project will make a significant contribution to the field
• Stretching the truth on a job application or curriculum vita
• Giving the same research project to two graduate students in order to see who can do it the fastest
• Overworking, neglecting, or exploiting graduate or post-doctoral students
• Failing to keep good research records
• Failing to maintain research data for a reasonable period of time
• Making derogatory comments and personal attacks in your review of author's submission
• Promising a student a better grade for sexual favors
• Using a racist epithet in the laboratory
• Making significant deviations from the research protocol approved by your institution's Animal Care and Use Committee or Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects Research without telling the committee or the board
• Not reporting an adverse event in a human research experiment
• Wasting animals in research
• Exposing students and staff to biological risks in violation of your institution's biosafety rules
• Sabotaging someone's work
• Stealing supplies, books, or data
• Rigging an experiment so you know how it will turn out
• Making unauthorized copies of data, papers, or computer programs
• Owning over $10,000 in stock in a company that sponsors your research and not disclosing this financial interest
• Deliberately overestimating the clinical significance of a new drug in order to obtain economic benefits

These actions would be regarded as unethical by most scientists and some might even be illegal in some cases. Most of these would also violate different professional ethics codes or institutional policies. However, they do not fall into the narrow category of actions that the government classifies as research misconduct. Indeed, there has been considerable debate about the definition of "research misconduct" and many researchers and policy makers are not satisfied with the government's narrow definition that focuses on FFP. However, given the huge list of potential offenses that might fall into the category "other serious deviations," and the practical problems with defining and policing these other deviations, it is understandable why government officials have chosen to limit their focus.

Finally, situations frequently arise in research in which different people disagree about the proper course of action and there is no broad consensus about what should be done. In these situations, there may be good arguments on both sides of the issue and different ethical principles may conflict. These situations create difficult decisions for research known as ethical or moral dilemmas . Consider the following case:

Dr. Wexford is the principal investigator of a large, epidemiological study on the health of 10,000 agricultural workers. She has an impressive dataset that includes information on demographics, environmental exposures, diet, genetics, and various disease outcomes such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and ALS. She has just published a paper on the relationship between pesticide exposure and PD in a prestigious journal. She is planning to publish many other papers from her dataset. She receives a request from another research team that wants access to her complete dataset. They are interested in examining the relationship between pesticide exposures and skin cancer. Dr. Wexford was planning to conduct a study on this topic.

Dr. Wexford faces a difficult choice. On the one hand, the ethical norm of openness obliges her to share data with the other research team. Her funding agency may also have rules that obligate her to share data. On the other hand, if she shares data with the other team, they may publish results that she was planning to publish, thus depriving her (and her team) of recognition and priority. It seems that there are good arguments on both sides of this issue and Dr. Wexford needs to take some time to think about what she should do. One possible option is to share data, provided that the investigators sign a data use agreement. The agreement could define allowable uses of the data, publication plans, authorship, etc. Another option would be to offer to collaborate with the researchers.

The following are some step that researchers, such as Dr. Wexford, can take to deal with ethical dilemmas in research:

What is the problem or issue?

It is always important to get a clear statement of the problem. In this case, the issue is whether to share information with the other research team.

What is the relevant information?

Many bad decisions are made as a result of poor information. To know what to do, Dr. Wexford needs to have more information concerning such matters as university or funding agency or journal policies that may apply to this situation, the team's intellectual property interests, the possibility of negotiating some kind of agreement with the other team, whether the other team also has some information it is willing to share, the impact of the potential publications, etc.

What are the different options?

People may fail to see different options due to a limited imagination, bias, ignorance, or fear. In this case, there may be other choices besides 'share' or 'don't share,' such as 'negotiate an agreement' or 'offer to collaborate with the researchers.'

How do ethical codes or policies as well as legal rules apply to these different options?

The university or funding agency may have policies on data management that apply to this case. Broader ethical rules, such as openness and respect for credit and intellectual property, may also apply to this case. Laws relating to intellectual property may be relevant.

Are there any people who can offer ethical advice?

It may be useful to seek advice from a colleague, a senior researcher, your department chair, an ethics or compliance officer, or anyone else you can trust. In the case, Dr. Wexford might want to talk to her supervisor and research team before making a decision.

After considering these questions, a person facing an ethical dilemma may decide to ask more questions, gather more information, explore different options, or consider other ethical rules. However, at some point he or she will have to make a decision and then take action. Ideally, a person who makes a decision in an ethical dilemma should be able to justify his or her decision to himself or herself, as well as colleagues, administrators, and other people who might be affected by the decision. He or she should be able to articulate reasons for his or her conduct and should consider the following questions in order to explain how he or she arrived at his or her decision:

• Which choice will probably have the best overall consequences for science and society?
• Which choice could stand up to further publicity and scrutiny?
• Which choice could you not live with?
• Think of the wisest person you know. What would he or she do in this situation?
• Which choice would be the most just, fair, or responsible?

After considering all of these questions, one still might find it difficult to decide what to do. If this is the case, then it may be appropriate to consider others ways of making the decision, such as going with a gut feeling or intuition, seeking guidance through prayer or meditation, or even flipping a coin. Endorsing these methods in this context need not imply that ethical decisions are irrational, however. The main point is that human reasoning plays a pivotal role in ethical decision-making but there are limits to its ability to solve all ethical dilemmas in a finite amount of time.

Promoting Ethical Conduct in Science

Do U.S. research institutions meet or exceed federal mandates for instruction in responsible conduct of research? A national survey

 Read about U.S. research instutuins follow federal manadates for ethics in research 

Learn more about NIEHS Research

Most academic institutions in the US require undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate students to have some education in the responsible conduct of research (RCR) . The NIH and NSF have both mandated training in research ethics for students and trainees. Many academic institutions outside of the US have also developed educational curricula in research ethics

Those of you who are taking or have taken courses in research ethics may be wondering why you are required to have education in research ethics. You may believe that you are highly ethical and know the difference between right and wrong. You would never fabricate or falsify data or plagiarize. Indeed, you also may believe that most of your colleagues are highly ethical and that there is no ethics problem in research..

If you feel this way, relax. No one is accusing you of acting unethically. Indeed, the evidence produced so far shows that misconduct is a very rare occurrence in research, although there is considerable variation among various estimates. The rate of misconduct has been estimated to be as low as 0.01% of researchers per year (based on confirmed cases of misconduct in federally funded research) to as high as 1% of researchers per year (based on self-reports of misconduct on anonymous surveys). See Shamoo and Resnik (2015), cited above.

Clearly, it would be useful to have more data on this topic, but so far there is no evidence that science has become ethically corrupt, despite some highly publicized scandals. Even if misconduct is only a rare occurrence, it can still have a tremendous impact on science and society because it can compromise the integrity of research, erode the public’s trust in science, and waste time and resources. Will education in research ethics help reduce the rate of misconduct in science? It is too early to tell. The answer to this question depends, in part, on how one understands the causes of misconduct. There are two main theories about why researchers commit misconduct. According to the "bad apple" theory, most scientists are highly ethical. Only researchers who are morally corrupt, economically desperate, or psychologically disturbed commit misconduct. Moreover, only a fool would commit misconduct because science's peer review system and self-correcting mechanisms will eventually catch those who try to cheat the system. In any case, a course in research ethics will have little impact on "bad apples," one might argue.

According to the "stressful" or "imperfect" environment theory, misconduct occurs because various institutional pressures, incentives, and constraints encourage people to commit misconduct, such as pressures to publish or obtain grants or contracts, career ambitions, the pursuit of profit or fame, poor supervision of students and trainees, and poor oversight of researchers (see Shamoo and Resnik 2015). Moreover, defenders of the stressful environment theory point out that science's peer review system is far from perfect and that it is relatively easy to cheat the system. Erroneous or fraudulent research often enters the public record without being detected for years. Misconduct probably results from environmental and individual causes, i.e. when people who are morally weak, ignorant, or insensitive are placed in stressful or imperfect environments. In any case, a course in research ethics can be useful in helping to prevent deviations from norms even if it does not prevent misconduct. Education in research ethics is can help people get a better understanding of ethical standards, policies, and issues and improve ethical judgment and decision making. Many of the deviations that occur in research may occur because researchers simply do not know or have never thought seriously about some of the ethical norms of research. For example, some unethical authorship practices probably reflect traditions and practices that have not been questioned seriously until recently. If the director of a lab is named as an author on every paper that comes from his lab, even if he does not make a significant contribution, what could be wrong with that? That's just the way it's done, one might argue. Another example where there may be some ignorance or mistaken traditions is conflicts of interest in research. A researcher may think that a "normal" or "traditional" financial relationship, such as accepting stock or a consulting fee from a drug company that sponsors her research, raises no serious ethical issues. Or perhaps a university administrator sees no ethical problem in taking a large gift with strings attached from a pharmaceutical company. Maybe a physician thinks that it is perfectly appropriate to receive a $300 finder’s fee for referring patients into a clinical trial.

If "deviations" from ethical conduct occur in research as a result of ignorance or a failure to reflect critically on problematic traditions, then a course in research ethics may help reduce the rate of serious deviations by improving the researcher's understanding of ethics and by sensitizing him or her to the issues.

Finally, education in research ethics should be able to help researchers grapple with the ethical dilemmas they are likely to encounter by introducing them to important concepts, tools, principles, and methods that can be useful in resolving these dilemmas. Scientists must deal with a number of different controversial topics, such as human embryonic stem cell research, cloning, genetic engineering, and research involving animal or human subjects, which require ethical reflection and deliberation.

Ethical Behavior: Definition, Importance, and Impact in the Workplace

Ethical behavior, the cornerstone of trust and success in modern organizations, is more than just a buzzword—it’s a critical component of a thriving workplace culture. In today’s fast-paced business world, where decisions can have far-reaching consequences, understanding and practicing ethical behavior has become more crucial than ever. But what exactly does it mean to be ethical, and why does it matter so much in our professional lives?

Let’s dive into the fascinating world of ethical behavior and explore its profound impact on individuals, organizations, and society as a whole. Buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a journey that might just change the way you think about your actions at work and beyond!

What in the World is Ethical Behavior, Anyway?

Picture this: You’re at a crossroads, faced with a tough decision. Your gut tells you one thing, but the easy way out beckons. What do you do? This, my friends, is where ethical behavior comes into play.

Ethical behavior is like a moral compass that guides our actions and decisions. It’s about doing the right thing, even when no one’s watching. It’s the voice in your head that says, “Hey, maybe copying that report word-for-word isn’t such a great idea.” But it’s more than just following rules or avoiding trouble.

At its core, ethical behavior is about integrity, honesty, and respect for others. It’s about considering the consequences of our actions and making choices that benefit not just ourselves, but also those around us. It’s the difference between being a decent human being and, well, not.

But here’s where it gets tricky: ethical behavior isn’t always black and white. It’s not just about following laws (although that’s certainly part of it). It’s about navigating the gray areas, those murky situations where the “right” answer isn’t always clear-cut.

Take, for example, a doctor faced with a difficult treatment decision. The legally safe option might not be the most ethical one if it doesn’t prioritize the patient’s well-being. This is where ethical behavior in healthcare becomes crucial, balancing legal obligations with moral responsibilities.

Ethical behavior encompasses a wide range of actions and attitudes:

1. Honesty and transparency in communication 2. Fairness in decision-making and treatment of others 3. Respect for diversity and individual differences 4. Accountability for one’s actions and mistakes 5. Protecting confidentiality and privacy 6. Avoiding conflicts of interest

Now, you might be thinking, “That’s all well and good, but why should I care about being ethical at work? Can’t I just do my job and go home?” Well, buckle up, buttercup, because we’re about to explore why ethical behavior is the secret sauce to a successful and satisfying career.

Why Ethical Behavior is Your Workplace Superpower

Imagine working in an office where everyone’s constantly looking over their shoulder, afraid of being stabbed in the back. Sounds like a nightmare, right? Well, that’s what happens when ethical behavior takes a backseat. On the flip side, when ethics are front and center, magic happens.

First off, ethical behavior builds trust faster than you can say “team building exercise.” When your colleagues know they can count on you to do the right thing, they’re more likely to collaborate, share ideas, and have your back when the going gets tough. It’s like a workplace friendship bracelet, but way more valuable.

But it’s not just about making friends. Ethical behavior is like a shield that protects your company’s reputation. In today’s world of viral tweets and online reviews, one ethical misstep can send your brand image tumbling faster than you can say “PR nightmare.” On the other hand, a reputation for ethical behavior can attract customers, investors, and top talent like bees to honey.

Speaking of talent, let’s talk about employee satisfaction. When people feel they’re working for an ethical organization, they’re more likely to stick around. It’s like finding a unicorn in the job market – once you’ve got it, you don’t let go. This means lower turnover rates, which saves the company a boatload of money on recruitment and training.

And let’s not forget about the legal side of things. Ethical behavior is like a bulletproof vest against lawsuits and compliance issues. It’s much easier (and cheaper) to do the right thing from the get-go than to deal with the consequences of unethical behavior later on.

But perhaps the most compelling reason to embrace ethical behavior is its impact on your own well-being. When you act ethically, you can sleep soundly at night, knowing you’ve done right by yourself and others. It’s like a warm, fuzzy blanket for your conscience.

The Ripple Effect: How Ethical Behavior Transforms Organizations

Now that we’ve established why ethical behavior is the bee’s knees let’s explore its far-reaching effects on organizations. Spoiler alert: it’s pretty awesome.

First up, productivity. When ethical behavior is the norm, people spend less time watching their backs and more time getting stuff done. It’s like removing a giant roadblock from the highway of efficiency. Plus, when employees feel they’re part of an ethical organization, they’re more likely to go the extra mile. It’s not just about clocking in and out; it’s about contributing to something meaningful.

Ethical behavior also leads to better decision-making. When you’re not trying to cut corners or hide information, you can focus on making choices that benefit the organization as a whole. It’s like having a clear windshield instead of trying to drive through a muddy one.

But the benefits don’t stop at the office door. Ethical behavior helps build stronger relationships with stakeholders – customers, suppliers, investors, you name it. It’s like being the popular kid in school, but in the business world. People want to work with organizations they can trust.

And let’s talk about the long game. Ethical behavior is the secret ingredient to long-term sustainability and success. It’s not about making a quick buck; it’s about building a business that can weather storms and stand the test of time. Think of it as planting a tree that will provide shade for generations to come.

But perhaps the most heartwarming result of ethical behavior is its positive impact on society. When organizations prioritize ethics, they contribute to creating a better world. It’s like being a superhero, but instead of a cape, you wear a business suit (or whatever your work attire might be).

The Ethics Ecosystem: How Organizational Standards Shape Employee Behavior

Now, let’s zoom out and look at the bigger picture. Organizational ethics isn’t just about individual actions; it’s about creating an environment where ethical behavior is the default setting.

Organizational ethics is like the DNA of a company. It’s the set of principles and values that guide decision-making at all levels. Think of it as the company’s moral compass, pointing everyone in the right direction.

But here’s the kicker: organizational standards don’t just exist in a vacuum. They have a profound influence on how employees behave. It’s like a game of “Follow the Leader,” but with much higher stakes.

When leaders walk the talk and demonstrate ethical behavior, it sets the tone for the entire organization. It’s like a domino effect of goodness. Employees look to their leaders for cues on what’s acceptable and what’s not. If the boss is cutting corners, guess what? Everyone else might start thinking it’s okay to do the same.

This is where ethics in organizational behavior becomes crucial. It’s not just about having a fancy code of conduct gathering dust on a shelf. It’s about weaving ethical considerations into the fabric of daily operations.

Creating an ethical organizational culture is like tending a garden. It requires constant care, attention, and sometimes a bit of pruning. But the results? Oh, they’re worth it. A strong ethical culture can turn your workplace into a beacon of integrity, attracting top talent and fostering innovation.

Nurturing the Ethical Seed: How to Foster Ethical Behavior in Employees

So, you’re sold on the importance of ethical behavior. Great! But how do you actually make it happen? Fear not, dear reader, for we have some practical tips to help you cultivate an ethical paradise in your workplace.

First things first: you need a roadmap. Developing a comprehensive code of ethics is like creating a user manual for ethical behavior. It should be clear, accessible, and relevant to your specific organization. But remember, it’s not just about rules – it’s about values and principles that guide decision-making.

Next up: education, education, education. Providing ethics training isn’t just a box to tick; it’s an opportunity to engage employees in meaningful discussions about real-world ethical dilemmas. Make it interactive, make it relevant, and for the love of all that is good, make it interesting. No one wants to sit through another boring PowerPoint presentation.

But knowledge alone isn’t enough. You need to give people the tools to apply that knowledge. Implementing ethical decision-making frameworks can help employees navigate tricky situations. It’s like giving them a compass and a map for the ethical wilderness.

Communication is key in fostering ethical behavior. Create an environment where people feel safe speaking up about ethical concerns. It’s like having a suggestion box, but for moral dilemmas. And when someone does speak up? Listen. Act. Show that ethical behavior is valued and rewarded.

Speaking of rewards, don’t forget to recognize and celebrate ethical behavior. It’s like giving a gold star, but for adults. When people see that doing the right thing is appreciated, they’re more likely to keep doing it.

The Never-Ending Story: Cultivating Ethical Behavior in Organizations

As we wrap up our journey through the land of ethical behavior, it’s important to remember that this isn’t a “one and done” kind of deal. Cultivating ethical behavior is an ongoing process, like tending a garden or maintaining a friendship.

We’ve explored what ethical behavior means – that moral compass guiding our actions and decisions. We’ve delved into its importance in the workplace, from building trust to protecting reputations and fostering employee satisfaction. We’ve seen how it can transform organizations, boosting productivity, improving decision-making, and contributing to long-term success.

We’ve also looked at how organizational standards shape employee behavior, and how leaders play a crucial role in setting the ethical tone. And we’ve discussed practical ways to foster ethical behavior, from developing codes of ethics to providing training and implementing decision-making frameworks.

But here’s the thing: the work is never really done. As organizations evolve and face new challenges, ethical considerations must evolve too. It’s like a never-ending game of moral Whack-a-Mole, but way more important.

So, what’s the takeaway? Whether you’re a CEO, a middle manager, or an entry-level employee, you have a role to play in promoting ethical behavior. It’s not just about following rules or avoiding trouble. It’s about creating a workplace – and a world – that we can all be proud of.

As you go about your day, ask yourself: “Am I doing the right thing, even when no one’s watching?” Challenge yourself to make ethical decisions, even when it’s tough. Speak up when you see something that doesn’t sit right. Be the change you want to see in your organization.

Remember, ethical behavior isn’t just good for business – it’s good for the soul. It’s about creating a workplace where people can thrive, where trust flourishes, and where success is built on a foundation of integrity.

So go forth, dear reader, and be the ethical superhero your workplace needs. Your conscience (and your colleagues) will thank you.

References:

1. Treviño, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2016). Managing Business Ethics: Straight Talk about How to Do It Right. John Wiley & Sons.

2. Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2019). Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making & Cases. Cengage Learning.

3. Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2016). Business Ethics: Managing Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability in the Age of Globalization. Oxford University Press.

4. Weiss, J. W. (2014). Business Ethics: A Stakeholder and Issues Management Approach. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

5. Bazerman, M. H., & Tenbrunsel, A. E. (2011). Blind Spots: Why We Fail to Do What’s Right and What to Do about It. Princeton University Press.

6. Rhode, D. L. (2006). Moral Leadership: The Theory and Practice of Power, Judgment, and Policy. Jossey-Bass.

7. Ciulla, J. B. (2014). Ethics, the Heart of Leadership. ABC-CLIO.

8. Treviño, L. K., Weaver, G. R., & Reynolds, S. J. (2006). Behavioral Ethics in Organizations: A Review. Journal of Management, 32(6), 951-990.

9. Brown, M. E., & Treviño, L. K. (2006). Ethical Leadership: A Review and Future Directions. The Leadership Quarterly, 17(6), 595-616.

10. Kaptein, M. (2011). Understanding Unethical Behavior by Unraveling Ethical Culture. Human Relations, 64(6), 843-869.

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Home — Essay Samples — Philosophy — Ethics — The Importance of Virtue Ethics

The Importance of Virtue Ethics

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Personal development, professional conduct, societal well-being.

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What Are Business Ethics & Why Are They Important?

• 27 Jul 2023

From artificial intelligence to facial recognition technology, organizations face an increasing number of ethical dilemmas. While innovation can aid business growth, it can also create opportunities for potential abuse.

“The long-term impacts of a new technology—both positive and negative—may not become apparent until years after it’s introduced,” says Harvard Business School Professor Nien-hê Hsieh in the online course Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability . “For example, the impact of social media on children and teenagers didn’t become evident until we watched it play out over time.”

If you’re a current or prospective leader concerned about navigating difficult situations, here's an overview of business ethics, why they're important, and how to ensure ethical behavior in your organization.

Access your free e-book today.

What Are Business Ethics?

Business ethics are principles that guide decision-making . As a leader, you’ll face many challenges in the workplace because of different interpretations of what's ethical. Situations often require navigating the “gray area,” where it’s unclear what’s right and wrong.

When making decisions, your experiences, opinions, and perspectives can influence what you believe to be ethical, making it vital to:

• Be transparent.
• Invite feedback.
• Consider impacts on employees, stakeholders, and society.
• Reflect on past experiences to learn what you could have done better.

“The way to think about ethics, in my view, is: What are the externalities that your business creates, both positive and negative?” says Harvard Business School Professor Vikram Gandhi in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability . “And, therefore, how do you actually increase the positive element of externalities? And how do you decrease the negative?”

Related: Why Managers Should Involve Their Team in the Decision-Making Process

Ethical Responsibilities to Society

Promoting ethical conduct can benefit both your company and society long term.

“I'm a strong believer that a long-term focus is what creates long-term value,” Gandhi says in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability . “So you should get shareholders in your company that have that same perspective.”

Prioritizing the triple bottom line is an effective way for your business to fulfill its environmental responsibilities and create long-term value. It focuses on three factors:

• Profit: The financial return your company generates for shareholders
• People: How your company affects customers, employees, and stakeholders
• Planet: Your company’s impact on the planet and environment

Check out the video below to learn more about the triple bottom line, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more explainer content!

Ethical and corporate social responsibility (CSR) considerations can go a long way toward creating value, especially since an increasing number of customers, employees, and investors expect organizations to prioritize CSR. According to the Conscious Consumer Spending Index , 67 percent of customers prefer buying from socially responsible companies.

To prevent costly employee turnover and satisfy customers, strive to fulfill your ethical responsibilities to society.

Ethical Responsibilities to Customers

As a leader, you must ensure you don’t mislead your customers. Doing so can backfire, negatively impacting your organization’s credibility and profits.

Actions to avoid include:

• Greenwashing : Taking advantage of customers’ CSR preferences by claiming your business practices are sustainable when they aren't.
• False advertising : Making unverified or untrue claims in advertisements or promotional material.
• Making false promises : Lying to make a sale.

These unethical practices can result in multi-million dollar lawsuits, as well as highly dissatisfied customers.

Ethical Responsibilities to Employees

You also have ethical responsibilities to your employees—from the beginning to the end of their employment.

One area of business ethics that receives a lot of attention is employee termination. According to Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability , letting an employee go requires an individualized approach that ensures fairness.

Not only can wrongful termination cost your company upwards of $100,000 in legal expenses , it can also negatively impact other employees’ morale and how they perceive your leadership.

Ethical business practices have additional benefits, such as attracting and retaining talented employees willing to take a pay cut to work for a socially responsible company. Approximately 40 percent of millennials say they would switch jobs to work for a company that emphasizes sustainability.

Ultimately, it's critical to do your best to treat employees fairly.

“Fairness is not only an ethical response to power asymmetries in the work environment,” Hsieh says in the course. “Fairness—and having a successful organizational culture–can benefit the organization economically and legally.”

Why Are Business Ethics Important?

Failure to understand and apply business ethics can result in moral disengagement .

“Moral disengagement refers to ways in which we convince ourselves that what we’re doing is not wrong,” Hsieh says in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability . “It can upset the balance of judgment—causing us to prioritize our personal commitments over shared beliefs, rules, and principles—or it can skew our logic to make unethical behaviors appear less harmful or not wrong.”

Moral disengagement can also lead to questionable decisions, such as insider trading .

“In the U.S., insider trading is defined in common, federal, and state laws regulating the opportunity for insiders to benefit from material, non-public information, or MNPI,” Hsieh explains.

This type of unethical behavior can carry severe legal consequences and negatively impact your company's bottom line.

“If you create a certain amount of harm to a society, your customers, or employees over a period of time, that’s going to have a negative impact on your economic value,” Gandhi says in the course.

This is reflected in over half of the top 10 largest bankruptcies between 1980 and 2013 that resulted from unethical behavior. As a business leader, strive to make ethical decisions and fulfill your responsibilities to stakeholders.

How to Implement Business Ethics

To become a more ethical leader, it's crucial to have a balanced, long-term focus.

“It's very important to balance the fact that, even if you're focused on the long term, you have to perform in the short term as well and have a very clear, articulated strategy around that,” Gandhi says in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability .

Making ethical decisions requires reflective leadership.

“Reflecting on complex, gray-area decisions is a key part of what it means to be human, as well as an effective leader,” Hsieh says. “You have agency. You must choose how to act. And with that agency comes responsibility.”

Related: Why Are Ethics Important in Engineering?

Hsieh advises asking the following questions:

• Are you using the “greater good” to justify unethical behavior?
• Are you downplaying your actions to feel better?

“Asking these and similar questions at regular intervals can help you notice when you or others may be approaching the line between making a tough but ethical call and justifying problematic actions,” Hsieh says.

Become a More Ethical Leader

Learning from past successes and mistakes can enable you to improve your ethical decision-making.

“As a leader, when trying to determine what to do, it can be helpful to start by simply asking in any given situation, ‘What can we do?’ and ‘What would be wrong to do?’” Hsieh says.

Many times, the answers come from experience.

Gain insights from others’ ethical decisions, too. One way to do so is by taking an online course, such as Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability , which includes case studies that immerse you in real-world business situations, as well as a reflective leadership model to inform your decision-making.

Ready to become a better leader? Enroll in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability —one of our online leadership and management courses —and download our free e-book on how to be a more effective leader.

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