Category: Ethics in Everyday Life

In the facet of corruption there has been a widespread talk about morals and ethics, not only corruption, gender discrimination, women harassment have too raised the issue, has ethics ever existed in our society? Why in the first place we need morals and ethics? Actually morals and ethics were never needed, but to uphold the righteousness and ensure there is peace, it was always essential to have morals and ethics in our so called society.

What exactly are morals? Morals are the principles; they are the principles of right and wrong. Something that is right, right for the people and society in which they interact is all about being moral whereas, the ethics are the rules that ensure the existence of morals. Ethics are the right way of doing the work, and together morals and ethics are the pillars of survival of any civilization. They are the bearers of trust, the trust among the people which is essential for peaceful existence.

Let us imagine for a moment that there is no morality. That means that any one is free to steal, kill other person, fight and cause harm to any other person. So this means that there would be no peace. And no peace infers to the decay and destruction of society as a whole. So morality and ethics have become a pressing issue today. This has become more important in this current era, where the person today believes nothing is more important than the greed for self. From the primary education to the degree today can be earned through money. This shows how corruption has consumed our lives. Everything we want in a moment, this has further aggravated the corruption.

Morals and ethics are interrelated. They are not something which a government can enforce on individuals. They go in conjunction, that is both government and society have impact on ethics and morals. Consider an example of having clean and neat surroundings. This is in light of Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan. Can really cleanliness be imposed? I believe no, cleanliness and keeping surroundings neat cannot be imposed, in spite it being a moral obligation of every citizen. But there exists one truth; if you provide the citizens the proper pathway for disposal they would definitely follow that. This is especially evident in cities like Mysore and Navi Mumbai where provision of dustbins at streets have made the citizens to dispose in dustbins rather than opting for throwing on streets. So, it was essential in place that government provides an active support and morals and ethics would definitely be imbibed in the people.

Morals are the pathway for peace and ethics gives the guidelines to implement the morals. More broadly speaking, today we are consumed by the ways the western countries follow. We copy them to our modest. We believe seeing things their way, we have broadened our vision towards the world, but in the process we have narrowed our mind. While going out to mall, I have seen people throwing the paper, plastic and empty food packets that were lying in their car and driving away. This is the situation of literate people who are narrowed by their senses.

Morals are nothing that we need to be taught of or we need to learn. They are the basic essence of life that speaks of our obligation towards humanity. What is the purpose of being a human but not being human in real terms? We are moreover consumed by ignorance and arrogance despite our history speaks about the Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram. Today in this world of rat race we have forgotten ourselves to such an extent that, even if we see someone falling at roadside, we would not even bother to think to help.

Closing down, morals and ethics are integral part of life; imagine you going to the theatre and everyone fighting for tickets. Thus we to an extent in our life still follow morals to live collectively in society. Morals and ethics are something that cannot be enforced but could be imbibed by society and government together.

Ethics and morals may initially seem to be interchangeable words used to describe a code of conduct that society should follow in order to make informed decisions. However, they are in fact two separate entities that exist as individual codes of conduct, yet share a symbiotic relationship in decision making. Ethics can be described as the rules of behavior and demeanor as established by society, a certain group of people, or a religion. Consequently, due to the nature of ethics, they can ultimately be viewed as a governing body. This body is recognized by some larger institution greater than oneself, one that someone is obligated to follow as determined by their religion, race, or creed. On the other hand, morality is an internal trait that is created by the individual. People may recognize ethics as virtues set by their society or creed, whereas morals concerns people determining whether the ethics in their everyday experiences adhere to individual principles and conduct. With this prevalent symbiotic relationship between ethics and morals, one can recognize the vital role that ethics and morals partake in when it comes to decision making. In Frankenstein, Beowulf, and Hamlet, the authors utilize the protagonist’s fatal flaw to affect the character’s actions and motivations. Through the characters’ demise, the authors aim to teach society a lesson of ethics and morals. The idea of a hamartia was initially introduced in Aristotle’s Poetics. Aristotle contended that a good tragedy doesn’t concern the ruin of an extraordinary figure nor the accomplishment of an outlaw, yet about the downfall of somebody ordinary, in a manner akin to the audience. However, Aristotle calls attention to the fact that humans are flawed. Along these lines, he contends that tragedies should recount the tale of a demise not caused by acts of sin, yet “by some error or frailty.”

The message that too much ambition may be dangerous is presented throughout Frankenstein and the epic of Beowulf. Frankenstein’s endeavors lead him to search for the source of intelligent life, however, the product of his pursuit was not desirable. Instead, his creation brought misfortune, sadness, and death. The creature Frankenstein creates is the manifestation of man’s scientific inquiry: not beautiful as Frankenstein imagined, but revolting and frightening. Frankenstein had isolated himself, set aside his family, and eventually lost those dearest to him, all for his scientific ambition. In other words, the cost of Victor’s desire was the death of himself and his loved ones, with their blood on the hands of his creation. Victor demonstrates that ambition isn’t desirable when it comes to unorthodox inclinations. He conveys his story to Captain Walton as a warning for those who thirst for knowledge and glory. The making of intelligent life defying the normal structure of life and death is distinctly an ill-advised objective. The epic of Beowulf presented that heroes of the medieval era don’t acknowledge defeat; defeat was viewed as an act of disgrace during the medieval time. They are indoctrinated to triumph even at the expense of their own demise. Beowulf wins two battles against Grendel and his mom, and the third triumph costs him his life. In spite of his foreseen demise, he doesn’t show weakness or retreats while battling the dragon. Ultimately, the two works convey that you can utilize your ambition to achieve incredible things, however, there are times when your ambition can overpower you and cause you to make impulsive choices that have unintended results.

The three works also convey that seeking vengeance doesn’t counterbalance the actions that hurt you. In Hamlet, the presence of the late king’s ghost lays an overwhelming obligation on Hamlet to get retribution for his ‘unjust murder.’ However, Hamlet must first prove Claudius was behind the death of his father, and only then can he make the choice to seek revenge. After confirming his suspicions, Hamlet battles with the topic of the afterlife. He ponders whether, in the event that he murders Claudius, he will wind up in damnation. Even when Hamlet is on the verge of murdering Claudius, he stops with the question: if he murders Claudius while he is praying, will Cladius go to heaven? Even though he eventually murders Claudius in the last scene of the play, it’s not because of any plot by Hamlet, rather, it is Claudius’ arrangement to execute Hamlet that goes wrong. Hamlet’s lamentable imperfection, his indecisiveness, prompted the deaths of numerous characters including Polonius, Laertes, Ophelia, and Gertrude. In Frankenstein, Dr. Victor Frankenstein prevails in creating life, usurping the job of God, yet fails to create its counterpart, driving his creation to seek retribution. The creature murders those close to Victor to cause him to understand the torment of isolation. Similarly, Victor pursues his creature to get vengeance for the death of his loved ones, yet dies in the chase. Revenge is also present in the epic of Beowulf. Beowulf comes to help King Hrothgar, who wants to render retribution for the demise of the Danes murdered by Grendel. Grendel’s murdering binge is likewise to deliver retribution in light of the fact that the Danes’ singing upset his tranquility. Furthermore, Grendel’s mother looks for retribution against the Danes for the ruthless killing of her child. Beowulf, in his old age, seeks vengeance against the dragon as a result of its brutal massacre of his people. Shockingly, the dragon’s frenzy is vengeance for his stolen goblet. Foster asserts that there are two types of violence, violence that characters bring about and violence the author inserts for plot or thematic developments. In the final analysis, revenge only sustains the cycle of torment, whether it be for you or another person.

Lastly, all three texts highlight the theme of individual obligation as well as social responsibility. Victor’s ambitious task of the production of intelligent life mirrors the absence of acknowledgment of an individual’s obligation. Victor doesn’t display any dread in disturbing the laws of nature until it ends the lives of his loved ones. Justine’s passing indicates the absence of a strong central authority as the judicial system lacked to thoroughly determine accountability when they carried out Justine’s trial. The responsibility that Hamlet holds lies in his vengeance of his father’s wrongful death. However, he feels that his honor is at stake if his actions have no justification. On the other hand, Laertes believes that it is his responsibility to avenge his father who Hamlet had mistakenly killed; he believes that he is not honorable in the event that he doesn’t seek retribution for his father. The epic of Beowulf exhibits the topics of good and evil and exhibits the true characters of warriors, urging people to uphold their obligations to be virtuous. Righteousness is exhibited through the characters Hrothgar and Beowulf, and maliciousness is displayed through Grendel and his mother. Good attributes are associated with the ideals of honesty, loyalty, glory, and heroic acts. Beowulf is the epitome of valor and bravery. He expresses no fear and never falters from his quests throughout the epic. As opposed to Unferth, who allows his bravery to falter and presents himself to be an unworthy knight. On the other hand, Grendel and his mother only exhibit a malicious passion to destroy. Even as the epic causes us to notice accomplishments of strength and valor, there is nearly as much accentuation on the hospitality of King Hrothgar. After his triumphs, Beowulf is praised with celebrations and feasts hosted by the king. The celebrations and feasts are described as comprehensively as the battles. Beowulf’s loyalty to King Hrothgar is due to his obligation to repay King Hrothgar for the help and refuge he previously extended to Beowulf’s father. In How to Read Literature Like a Professor, Foster concurs that in myths “despite occasional personal shortcomings, the characters have an unmistakable nobility.” (Foster, 2003, p. 40). Simply put, individuals and society often fail to uphold their obligations and duties toward their community, leading these authors to emphasize the moral belief that we as individuals must fulfill our civic duty.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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
• Apologize
• Fix the problem

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.

What I Learned and Found Interesting in Ethics and Common Relations

I really enjoyed the class, Ethics and Common Relations. I learned valuable information in the class and look forward to applying the information to my everyday life as well as my future career in Criminal Justice. This essay will break down what was learned for me individually, and what I found most interesting. I will also provide a code of ethics that will apply to my everyday life at home, at work and as a citizen from this point forward. I’ve always had a code to live by; however, that code was based upon what my parents taught me, so I was much narrowed minded. There is a larger picture out there, and without this class, my vision may have still been blurred.

First and foremost, each module contained valuable information. However, I was most interested in the first two modules. Module 1 set the foundation, so I thought it was an important start. I learned about Justice Professionals and their need to use discretion, authority and power. This includes, judges, parole boards, parole officers and police officers, to name a few. Each Justice Professional has their own challenges and must decide when and how to use their discretion, authority and power. When dealing with criminals, ethical behavior is a must. Michael Braswell had five goals in the study of ethics and they were as follows: one must become aware and open to ethical issues, develop criminal justice ethics, become more personally responsible, understand how the criminal justice system is engaged in a process of coercion, and finally, develop whole sight, which is the ability to explore with one’s heart as well as one’s mind. When applying the above to ethical dilemmas, you must first identify the facts, identify relevant values and concepts, decide what the most immediate ethical issue the individual is facing, and resolve the ethical dilemma by using an ethical system.

In module 2, I learned how the principles of right and wrong structure the way everyone lives their lives. Thinking of morals in terms of an ethical pyramid was very easy to understand. The most important was moral judgment, and that was at the top of the pyramid. Without moral judgment, people are likely to do horrible things or turn a blind eye to other horrible things. The middle of the pyramid would be moral rules, which are the rules that guide us, and at the bottom of the pyramid would be the ethical system. I also learned about a German philosopher Immanuel Kant, who said according to my textbook, “goodwill is the only thing that is intrinsically good, and duty is required behavior because it is necessary to ethics.” I also learned about an English philosopher, Jeremy Bentham, who believed humans are hedonistic, which means self-indulgence. Bentham is also regarded as the founder of modern utilitarianism. “This view holds that the morally right action is the action that produces the most good.” (Driver, 2014).

What to me was the most interesting was the disturbing video that was provided to me in my discussion board, which was an experiment that took place at The Stanford University located down in the basement that was supposed to be recognized as the Stanford prison for a solid two weeks. The experiment was called “The Stanford Experiment.” The mastermind of this experiment was by Philip Zimbardo. The purpose behind his experiment was to study social psychology for discovering extreme power controlled by college students. The college guys were randomly split between two groups; one group was deemed the guards, and the others were the prisoners. The experiment spun out of control, and the guards were abusing the power and incriminating the prisoners. For example, inmates were told to get naked and pile up on top of each other or having to put dresses on. The experiment was so absurd it only lasted a whole 6 days.

After taking this class, I have developed a personal code of ethics. I will always show love, always have positive vibes, always seek justice, always be brave and relax often. To be more specific, I will love everyone for who they are, I will never dwell on anything negative, I will always live by the laws of the land, I will not fear the unknown and I will relax when I am overwhelmed or I just need to catch a break because rushing always equals a larger mess.

In conclusion, this class was very informative, and I learned some valuable information. There is a much larger picture out in the real world, and I must learn that not everyone or everything is simple minded like my life. Instead of judging those different from me, I will take a more ethical and non-judgmental stand point when dealing with what I consider morally disturbing situations. Modules 1 and 2 helped me understand different positions within the justice system and how each position is responsible for using their own discretion, authority and power. Due to this, some authorities may abuse their power, but overall, I believe there are more ethical people than not, so for the most part, people will do what is right. The ethical pyramid allowed me to put what was important into categories, which further helped me develop my personal code of ethics. I plan to use the knowledge I gained from this class in my everyday life, as well as in my career in Criminal Justice.

Bibliography

1. Driver, J. (2014b, September 22). The History of Utilitarianism (Stanford Encyclopedia of
2. Philosophy/Winter 2014 Edition). Retrieved March 1, 2020, from https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2014/entries/utilitarianism-history/
3. Pollock, J. M. (2018). Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions in Criminal Justice. In Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions in Criminal Justice (10th ed.). Boston, MA : Cengage Learning.

Ethical Considerations Scenario – “Good old Tom”

In my essay, I am going to outline the codes of ethics and the competency framework before explaining why they are an important part of policing. I will then go on to talk about “the good old Tom” scenario and where the codes of ethics and competency value framework have been considered and where perhaps it has not been considered. I will lastly talk about why I made certain decisions when I took part in “the good old Tom” scenario.

The Codes of Ethics

The codes of ethics are nine principles and are intended to be used every day to help guide the behaviour being conducted and the decisions that are being made by all in policing. The nine principles are Accountability, Integrity, Openness, Fairness, Leadership, Respect, Honesty, Objectivity and Selflessness. These principles ensure that we are treating all members of the public with professionalism and keeping public respect.

Sir Robert Peel set out principles in 1829 for those patrolling on behalf of the community, as a citizen in uniform. He focused heavily on the support of the public and emphasised the need for the police to ‘secure and maintain public respect.’ The codes of ethics stay true to these original British policing principles and highlight the responsibility to all those who work in policing to behave in a way that gains the trust and support of our fellow citizens.

The codes of ethics ensure everyone in policing works to the highest of standards, are always able to do the right thing in the right way and acts with professionalism. The codes of ethics are important so that everyone in policing regardless of rank can do the right thing and challenge colleagues if the behaviour is not acceptable and in line with the code of ethics.

Competency and Values Framework

The competency and values framework (CVF) have six competencies that are put into three groups, all the competencies are supported by four values that strengthen everything we do as a police force nationally. The CVF supports all policing professionals in ensuring that everyone knows what is expected of them and how this will in turn lead to standards being raised for the benefit and safety of the public.

The competency and values framework works well alongside the codes of ethics and provides consistency with what values and behaviours are expected of us on and off duty. It is also used during recruitment; questions are based around it and the answer given can be put against the CVF to see what role would suit that person.

“Good Old Tom”

Tom was off duty and on a night out with colleagues, which included a supervisor. Tom openly tells the girl about his job; the girl tells him about a speeding ticket she had received and Tom replies “I’ll sort your ticket for you if you sort me out tonight.” This statement from Tom goes against the codes of ethics, he has not been truthful and lied to the girl about her ticket, the comment was made without integrity, he has not done the right thing, he has done what is right for him and to help him get what he wants. Tom’s comment could also come across as disrespectful and Tom is in a leadership position and should lead by example, the people around him look up to him and may think that this sort of behaviour is then acceptable. Tom does not seem to see there is any problem in his behaviour when challenged and continues his night and is even seen holding the girl up as they walk out of the bar.

Tom is quick to talk about his evening and what happened with the girl and again uses disrespectful language to describe it, this seems to make others uncomfortable but other colleagues laugh as though they feel it is acceptable. I decided this was the time to talk to my supervisor about his behaviour. Later we are all told that Tom has been accused of rape and an investigation Is taking place.

My Decision

I decided to challenge Tom on the night out not because I ever thought he was going to put the girl in danger but because of the comment I overheard, he used language that I felt was disrespectful and was giving the girl false information. Tom was using his job for his own gain and potentially taking advantage of the girl who may be very trusting of this police officer chatting her up. Tom did not seem to be worried about being challenged and was happy to continue.

On our next shift Tom quickly began to tell everyone about what had happened after his night out, again using disrespectful language which seemed to make others in the room uncomfortable but not everyone, others laughed, I found this very worrying and decided to go to my supervisor.

We later realised Tom was not with us on the next shift and were told he was under investigation for an alleged rape on the girl.

In conclusion the decision to challenge Tom on the night out and then the decision to report Tom to my supervisor where both the right decisions to make. Tom had the chance to stop and think on the night out, he chose to ignore me, but I did the right thing by challenging him even though this may have affected our working relationship.

I could see that Tom was potentially influencing others into thinking his behaviour was acceptable, so going to my supervisor was where I needed to go because he was never going to listen to me.

Reference list

1. Code of Ethics A Code of Practice for the Principles and Standards of Professional Behaviour for the Policing Profession of England and Wales. (2014). [online] Available at: https://www.college.police.uk/What-we-do/Ethics/Documents/Code_of_Ethics.pdf.
2. Police.UK. (2019). Competency and Values framework | College of Policing. [online] Available at: https://www.college.police.uk/What-we-do/Development/competency-and-values-framework/Pages/Competency-and-Values-framework.aspx.

Ethics

Ethics depends on well-established guidelines of good and bad that endorse what people should do, for the most part regarding rights, commitments, advantages to society, reasonableness, or explicit temperance. A few philosophers thought of ‘goodness’ as something ‘normal’ to people. From their point of view, doing good things is the thing that we normally do on the off chance that we are raised appropriately by our folks. Obviously ‘appropriately’ has numerous understandings. However, the facts confirm that a large portion of us consent to some ‘all inclusive’ and ‘fundamental’ ideas of ethical quality, similar to the ‘don’t kill others’ rule – regardless of what our different convictions are.

Numerous philosophers attempted to clarify what ‘ethics’ is and what is its source. Nonetheless, as is frequently the situation with philosophers, an understanding was not come to. The idea of ‘good’ or ‘ethical’ seems to escape most thinking individuals about our day, despite the fact that it is such a ‘typical’ term. It appears that the most essential ideas – like the one of ‘morality’ which is the establishment of every single human progress – are the hardest to characterize. What’s more, perhaps that is the reason they are so significant. Most people have an internal code of ethics or good standards they follow throughout everyday life. A circumstance one individual discovers morally indefensible may not appear to be so to another person. Utilizing a code of ethics in business companies to make a fundamental comprehension of proper ethical conduct to be utilized when taking care of circumstances including the organization, government offices, and the overall population.

We infer moral truth with a similar technique we use to determine the truth about anything; we pose great inquiries. In the event that we take a gander at the logical strategy, it requires a theory, an inquiry, or an explanation that is testable. To demonstrate the legitimacy of any announcement of truth, it must be testable and irrefutable by others. Since Ethics is a theoretical thing (it is Knowledge), it exists in our brains and is shown by means of passionate reactions to an outside stimulus; it expects contemplation to increase understanding. Reflection quires posing the correct inquiries to determine legit answers. To infer a moral truth, there is no restriction on the number of inquiries one can pose. While numerous inquiries can and ought to be posed when weighing a moral issue, there is one key inquiry of Ethics that ought to consistently be asked; it’s the Golden Rule. Expressed as an announcement, ‘Do onto others as you would have them do to you.’ Phrased as an inquiry, ‘How might I like it if somebody did that to me?’. This inquiry ought to be applied to every ethical issue. Normally our emotive reactions are in light of issues of damage/care and reasonableness/correspondence. One’s passionate knowledge as an empathic reaction, and scholarly insight through posing great inquiries is what is required for moral comprehension.

PCs and data frameworks are utilized wherever in society. New advancements are precious devices however they may have genuine ethical results. The manner in which a data innovation instrument influences touchy issues directly affects its adequacy and ease of use. It might be hard for clients and partners to embrace a computer system on the off chance that they feel that its utilization disregards significant qualities and interests. To exploit a PC apparatus may not be simple in circumstances commanded by moral clashes. There is an extraordinary hazard that costly yet fundamental computer systems are deserted due to outrages and clashes. There is likewise a hazard that morally dubious frameworks are utilized not well, that people may get injured, and that associations might be harmed on the off chance that they waver to utilize generally important and vital PC tools. Ethics in IT focuses on the development of tools that can be applied in framework improvement and used for the thought of noteworthy ethical viewpoints. The utilization of reasonable ethical instruments is essential to consider critical viewpoints in all periods of PC systems improvement, execution, and use. ethical tools are important not exclusively to develop a framework that maintains a strategic distance from clashes with noteworthy good standards yet primarily to assemble an effective framework that will play a critical job in fulfilling the most significant estimations of clients and partners. Artificial intelligence is a field of technology that people are exploring to better understand the world. Because we want to make sense of the world to make better choices, AI has a profoundly ethical dimension to it in a way. But here we must not confuse morality’s efficacy–just because something is more successful doesn’t mean it’s morally better. We have become so powerful now that we have the power not only to destroy ourselves but also the ability to change ourselves. With CRISPR and synthetic biology, we can choose to genetically modify people, and we can change how we function and think by implanting biomedical devices into our bodies and brains. Most medical interventions for therapy are currently underway, but in the future, we’ll have to consider change, too. We could even theoretically change human nature at some point.

That’s a tremendous power, one that must be matched with serious reflection on ethical principles such as dignity, fairness, and the common good. The temptation to power without ethics is something we need to avoid now more than ever. If one is powerful without goodness, one becomes dangerous and able to act very evilly. Indeed, such dangerous power may well destroy itself and maybe take with it many innocent lives.

Professional Platform for Ethics and Leadership

The nursing profession is a noble and very important profession. Caregivers in general and nurses, in particular, continue to play a major role in the health and wellness of the global population, young and old, and the care for the sick. Advances in the medical sector and the increased awareness of healthy lives by people has made the profession to be one of the most in-demand today. The world’s people continue to look up to nurses to help them get out of life-threatening situations. As such, their trust in nurses’ magic touch that heals them is as strong as ever. However, nurses are increasingly obligated to fulfill their duties based on an ethical foundation to continue to preserve the esteem. In this light, this essay is a reflection on the nature, sources, and implications of my values, beliefs, and ethical perspectives that guide my personal life and nursing practice. Further, the essay includes my ethical leadership and professional development plan.

My primary influences

Growing up, I would hear stories about Edith Cavell and her heroics in Brussels during World War I (Hodgson, 2017). My parents would go on endlessly about how Cavell was martyred because of her love for humanity that stemmed from an endless reserve of compassion. Cavell was an extraordinary human being who embodied the values and ethics of a nurse. The war raged on in Europe and Cavell dedicated her time to caring for all wounded soldiers that she encountered. Edith Cavell’s compassion and personal ethics could not allow her to abandon allied soldiers even after the Germans were against it. As Hodgson (2017) recounted, Cavell would rather become a medical martyr than succumb to orders violating her values.

Edith Cavell became a force for good in the world during her time and even today because of three values that she held dear. First, Cavell wanted people to respect themselves and to respect others. The only way there could be compassion and lack of hatred was for people to acknowledge the importance of one another. Secondly, Cavell was an honest woman. She believed in being unbiased and being truthful at all times in her duties. With her actions, she hoped to instill confidence, integrity, and reliability in the people she served. However, the most iconic are Edith Cavell’s words engraved on her monument in London. The words read, “Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone”. In a word, Cavell believed that people in general, and nurses in particular, should live by a non-partisan principle and to offer care where and when it is needed.

Edith Cavell continues to be a huge influence on my personal and professional life. Her ethics are what I live by every day. This is because the values she espoused are as relevant today as they were during her time. In particular, I work hard to be a good influence both personally and professionally because I believe that is what a nurse should do. Our profession is one that demands not only professional competency by the ability to connect with patients at a personal level. Most of the people we deal with are broken, not only physically but also mentally and spiritually. Therefore, it is our responsibility to facilitate wholesome healing. I do not think there is a better example than Edith Cavell to help us accomplish the task.

Ethical principles that influence me personally and professionally

My ethical principles hardly fall far from my primary influence. In addition, I tend to have specific principles that guide me both personally and professionally. Personally, there is not a big distinction between an individual’s personal life and the professional one. These are two aspects of a person that interact often and that are intricately tied together. In a word, it is difficult for an individual to behave ethically on a personal level and go on to be unethical on the professional level. Instead, the two aspects often overlap and one is likely to behave professionally as he/she behaves on a personal level.

From the foregoing, one of the most important ethical principles that influence my personal and professional life is honesty. In their study, Salminen, Stolt, Metsämäki, Rinne, Kasen, and Leino-Kilpi (2016) identified equality and justice as the most significant ethical principles among nursing students and nurse educators. However, the authors went ahead to note that when it comes to the professional practice of nursing, honesty as an ethical principle comes on top. Honesty breeds integrity. In the nursing profession, more than anywhere else, integrity is paramount. This is because a nurse’s job is very delicate and, in some instances, it might be the difference between the life and death of a patient. Therefore, there is no room at all for lack of honesty, and by extension, integrity.

The second ethical principle that influences my personal and professional life is respect for others. During the peak of Edith Cavell’s career, a vicious war was waging in Europe. As such, basic human institutions had collapsed and people were vulnerable. It is in such situations that Cavell thought respect should reign supreme. This is no less true today. In the nursing profession, we get to interact with patients in their most vulnerable situations. However, the patients have confidence that nurses will help to walk them through the situation because they know they respect them and their privacy. The same is true at the personal level. I tend to believe that respect begets respect. Therefore, I do not expect to be respected where I have not been given respect.

The ethical practice of professional nursing

The nursing profession is quite demanding in terms of ethical standards to protect patients. Particularly, the foremost responsibility of nurses is to ensure that patients heal from their ailments as quickly as possible. However, Batbaatar, Dorjdagva, Luvsannyam, Savino, and Amenta (2017) noted that patient satisfaction goes beyond the need to heal fast. Instead, it encompasses the kind of care that the patients get, and, particularly, the level to which the nursing professionals adhere to professional ethical standards.

According to Salminen et al (2016), the ethical practice of professional nursing implies adherence to the Code of Ethics for Nurses. Usually, nurses encounter dilemmas and other ethical issues in their line of work and, as such, they need a guiding principle to help them navigate the issues (Epstein & Turner, 2015). The code of ethics defines how nurses ought to treat their patients and their fellow professionals. These rules and regulations are in the best interest of not only the healthcare sector, in which nurses play a critical part but also in the best interest of the wider society. Therefore, the ethical practice of nursing demands that nurses stick to the code of ethics at all times.

The American Nursing Association’s Code of Ethics outlines several rules that professional nurses ought to follow to ensure that act ethically. The rules lay out the rights and wrongs in professional nursing. In a word, the principles aim to ensure that professional nurses who subscribe to the ANA are on the same page. For instance, a professional nurse who acts ethically is one who distributes care fairly. A nurse should ensure that all groups of patients no matter their class, ethnicity, or race, receive equitable care. Interestingly, this principle agrees with Edith Cavell’s principles where she treated all soldiers from across the divide during the First World War.

In addition, the ANA Code of Ethics demands that professional nurses be ready to own the consequences of their actions. When you are dealing with the lives of other people, it is critical that you are accountable for every decision you take. Similarly, Edith Cavell was willing to face execution for her decision to treat allied soldiers even after stern warnings against the actions by the Germans (Hodgson, 2017). Other principles that define the ethical practice of professional nursing are beneficence, fidelity to one’s promises, upholding the self-determination of the patient, and being fully truthful with patients at all times.

Ethical leadership and professional development plan

Ethical leadership is central to creating an environment that achieves the objectives it aspires toward (Ehrich, Harris, Klenowski, Smeed & Spina, 2015). As such, it is imperative that professional nurses come with a professional development plan that bends them towards ethical leadership. The following is my plan:

• Definition of a great leader according to my understanding

The first step in professional development is to identify the target. Here, my target is to become an ethical leader. Therefore, I should be able to know what to which I am aspiring.

• Identify my core characteristics

Once I have an idea of the great leader I aspire to become, the next task is to identify my core characteristics, both good and bad. My core characteristics include adventure, extraversion, impulsiveness, openness, and abrasive.

• Core values

Core values are the building blocks of a person’s decision-making. That is, people make decisions based on their core values. Some my core values include integrity, loyalty, knowledge, duty, competency, and adventure.

• Leadership skills

At this point, I will be able to identify the leadership skills I possess and the ones that I lack. The leadership skills I possess include problem-solving, conflict management, teamwork, and personnel management.

On the other hand, I lack good communication skills, I am poor at managing personal stress, and I am poor at delegating.

• Goals

To learn how to manage personal stress and how to delegate tasks. In addition, I would like to learn how to communicate effectively.

• Action plan

1. To learn how to manage personal stress.
2. Taking time every day to reflect on the importance of stress management.
3. Take some stress management classes and perhaps schedule some sessions with a stress therapist.
4. Should take three months.
5. To develop better communication skills
6. Read more books on good communication
7. Schedule some sessions with a communication specialist to help hone my communication skills
8. Should take three to five months

References

1. American Nursing Association Code of Ethics. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2019, from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/.
2. Batbaatar, E., Dorjdagva, J., Luvsannyam, A., Savino, M. M., & Amenta, P. (2017). Determinants of patient satisfaction: a systematic review. Perspectives in public health, 137(2), 89-101.
3. Ehrich, L. C., Harris, J., Klenowski, V., Smeed, J., & Spina, N. (2015). The centrality of ethical leadership. Journal of Educational Administration, 53(2), 197-214.
4. Epstein, B., & Turner, M. (2015). The nursing code of ethics: Its value, its history. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 20(2), 1-10.
5. Hodgson, G. R. (2017). Nurse, martyr, propaganda tool: The reporting of Edith Cavell in British newspapers 1915–1920. Media, War & Conflict, 10(2), 239-253.
6. Salminen, L., Stolt, M., Metsämäki, R., Rinne, J., Kasen, A., & Leino-Kilpi, H. (2016). Ethical principles in the work of nurse educator—A cross-sectional study. Nurse education today, 36, 18-22.

Albert Einstein once said, “Relativity applies to physics, not ethics”. Ethics are our moral principles that govern how we react, judge, and view scenarios in our everyday life. I believe that no one set of ethics can guide you through each problem in life. Every situation is different and requires its own view and judgment. My code of ethics falls in line with that of virtue ethics as I look at each scenario and how it will change me as a person. The way society views and judges ethical problems is always changing and because of this, I think that we should be able to shift our views as well. Furthermore, an action must be caused by an instant ethical response that may differ based on the situation. Lastly, you must be able to justify your actions to those that may question you as ethics and philosophy never stop at the end of an action. I believe that ethics involving my judgment, reaction, and justification are always changing helping me achieve a better ethical understanding of the world around me.

Firstly, the way we judge our situation with our opinions and mindset changes as time goes by. Our views often follow society’s opinions and if their opinions advance and become more accepting of a topic, then our views will differ in the long term as well. An example of a situation that has changed quickly in the last couple of years is the idea of homosexual marriage. In 2003 same-sex marriage was legalized in Ontario. I grew up with this knowledge in my mind but I got to see those around me that were older adjust their ethical beliefs and gradually accept the new law. A great representation of this growth is the participation in gay pride parades, events, and promotions in North America in the 2010s. This shows the long-term change within our country and our community from an issue that many were skeptical about. In addition to long-term transformations in our judgment, there are also many short-term changes in our ethical reasoning before any action. These short-term revisions in our belief system can come from many different things, but most notably arguments. Arguments can change our minds without the presence of an event to form the best ethical response we can. During a philosophical debate, like the one our class is having, one’s knowledge is tested through arguments from the opposition. The arguments that are used can change your outlook on the situation within a span of ten minutes. Judging scenarios before they happen and changing an ethical opinion requires time and a driving force to happen.

Moreover, how I react in scenarios is subject to change and takes into account what has happened in the events prior. The main example of this instant adjustment with reaction is the proximity principle. In a situation with strangers, I would not feel completely compelled to help or assist with the situation, but if a family member or friend got involved, I would modify my ethical judgment to help. This is a change based on the reactionary judgment which causes one to choose their ethical choice within an instant. Involving a family member or friend initiates what I call “panic mode”. Panic mode cares little about the main task at hand but only cares about keeping family and friends safe and out of danger. This is just a reactionary response and gives little time for thought or modification once the plan is set in motion. Another example of ethics that change in an instant are those that involve life or death situations. As a lifeguard, I am led to making quick decisions in the case of life-threatening danger. Regardless of the scenario, I am legally and feel morally bound to react to the situation. This happens to be the case with most humans as we choose to save as many lives as we can while keeping ourselves safe. Most people including myself would still change those ethics to save the life of another if there were even slight negative downsides like changing my own ethics. This form of changing ethics happens by surprise without indication to us and happens in an instant.

Furthermore, my ethics also change according to how well I can justify my actions after I have committed them. If the outcome of the action I have created does not work in my favour, I will be less likely to commit that action again. This can be seen as the consequence of the action or ethical choice. If I was to skip school for a week by lying to my mother, and then suffer the consequence of failing, I would be able to reflect on my unethical choice and make the decision to not repeat. The idea of learning from your mistakes or building on the positives heavily influences this type of thinking of change. As a negative feedback loop to the human mind, if the consequence is not balanced, then I will choose to adjust it to balance the outcome. In addition to this, I also judge my former actions by how they affected my personality and how they transform who I am as a person. This way of thinking is similar to virtue ethics as I place a value on how my choice changes myself after the decision has been made. If I can prove to myself that the choice I made was good for my character, I will be more likely to repeat that action. Positive feedback leads to better ethical choices which then continue in a positive feedback loop. Looking back at my character traits and making sure I am improving them causes me to change myself for the better. Both of these ways use feedback loops to adjust my ethical opinion by justifying my choices after evaluating the action.

Overall, I believe that my ethical system needs to change and evolve to stay up to date through the use of judging, reacting, and justifying situations. With modification, I can adapt to different situations as each one is unique. I can change my ethics based on changing normals in society. Split-second reactions also form my ethics while with the involvement of family, friends or life-threatening problems. Lastly, I can look back at my ethics and see what they say about myself and change them for the better. Just like language, I don’t believe that ethics are meant to stay the same for every situation, but instead, shift through time.