Within today’s society, ethics has become invisible among individuals. The meaning of “ethics” has become so complex and hard to pin down because of people’s views about ethics have become shaky (Velasquez, Andre, Shanks, S. J. , & Meyer, 2010).
Ethics is not all about religion or the law but it does relate to human being’s moral principles on how they conduct themselves of what is right or wrong within society.One aspect of defining ethics refers to moral principles that are standard of right and wrong, in other words it is a continuous effort of our own moral beliefs and values and how we as a human being conduct ourselves in difficult situations in our personal and professional life, and how we control our behavior when faced with difficult conflicts on a daily basis. As human beings we make hasty decisions and mistakes that question our personal and professional ethics.Within this paper, I will interpret my results of the Ethics Awareness Inventory test I took and explain how my results affect my personal and professional life. I will also explain how my education has enlightened and influenced my own ethical viewpoints and decision making. Although my professional life is on hold at this time, I still believe that my ethical standards are valid and true to where others’ interpretations on ethical behaviors can be different then what I believe to be ethical.
The Ethics Awareness Inventory was designed to provide an individual’s insight on general views and how one can approach ethical issues within a series of characteristics that represents four prominent of the ethical philosophy (William Institute, 2006). According to the Ethics Awareness Inventory Scoring Summary based on letter category in which the lowest combined score reflects values most to least in agreement with a person’s view on ethics. There are key words that are categorized to represent a primary value that forms a basis on ethical decision making within a person’s ethical perspective (William Institute, 2006).CORE stands for, character, obligation, results and equity. Each one is important in making an ethical decision.
Individuals’ have character that is unique, some feel obligated and believe that people deserve to be treated fairly, just like equity in which many believe that everything should be based on equal share and making a decision ends with a result. In my summary score, my ethical profile is most closely aligned with O for obligation and is least aligned with R for results.While taking this test and before answering the questions I had to really think about them, in which gave me a better understanding of my critical thinking skills. In past classes, critical thinking has been a major part of my education and within my personal life. This analysis of my test made me think hard and question my ethical beliefs.
To understand this test, I had to believe there was no right or wrong answers but to be honest and open within myself of what I as a human being believed in.My results did not surprise me because I have always thought that people should be treated with respect and have the right to freedom. Our actions depend on situations and how each one of us reacts differently. I also believe that people have an intrinsic side that is hidden because they have been hurt so many times that it can be difficult to see the real good within others, such as I have always trusted so many people especially my family.
Their unethical manners and behaviors can be complex when dealing with situations, such as blaming others for one’s own mistakes.I have learned through my experience of going to jail that you can not blame anyone for your mistakes, you stand up to your obligations such as I did when I went away for four months and did not hear or see my family, yes this hurt but I accepted that what I did was on me and nobody else, but I also saw that their compassion and ethical standards did not mean anything because they had forgotten about me until now. This experience of going to jail did open up my eyes to my ethical values and what it means to have moral principles, like the saying goes, you did the crime you do the time.As for my professional ethics, I have always been obligated to do the best I can and to follow the rules and regulations of the company’s policies. I believe that everyone should have the chance to advance as long as they meet the requirements and follows the company’s rules. Most organizations set up their own code of ethics that employees need to follow, such as stealing, if caught they are automatically terminated, this I feel should be standard because no matter what the circumstances are nobody has the right to steal from another human being or the company itself.
Having a policy of ethics gives the employees a foundation of doing the right thing even if they do not like it and if that is the case these individuals will have a hard time staying employed. With regards on my personal perspective on individuals, I have learned through my educational learning teams that we are all different with different views, and this is where people’s character is most appreciated.In other words, we are all unique and have different personalities and intelligence, but learning through someone’s thoughts and ideas gives a new perspective for someone to open up and look at. Going to University of Phoenix has taught me about the different cultures and values each one holds dear to them, but one thing I have to say is that throughout my education there is one aspect that has been shown and that is respect. I believe that people of all cultures should be respected and appreciated because we learn from them as much as they learn from our norms of society.There is so much more to say and explain about my professional and personal views on ethics but in concluding this paper ethics is invisible to many because of changes throughout history and within that individual’s life, we are born and taught what is right and wrong but sometimes as we grow we are faced with many challenging experiences and having the moral principles that one believes in will kick in and that individual will do the right thing, maybe for the wrong reasons but most of the time people feel what they do is the right thing no matter how wrong it is.
Ethics is shaky and questionable within our professional and personal life, and I believe that everyone shows a genuine side that can balance out any situations that they are faced with.
