Personal Ethics Statement Essay Example for Free

Personal Ethics Statement Essay Ethics is a branch of philosophy, which address various issues that regards to morality and the general human behavior in society (Vendemiati 2004). Ethics identifies whether something is good or bad, ignoble or noble, just or unjust, or whether acts of people should be classified as being vices or virtues. Being ethical entails a number of integrated moral aspects that revolves around the common moral law of doing good and avoiding what is evil. Personal Ethics Statement Based on my personal experience and learned life lessons, being ethical means having the correct moral standards and practices that guide ones behaviors and the actions taken in life thus making one to be able to constantly do what is right and avoid evil. Being ethical therefore means having the right thought, always being positive in life, and ensuring that one has the right attitude that would guide in ensuring that immoral behaviors that could harm other people’s lives either directly or indirectly are avoided at all cost. Ethics also involve individuals being able to accept the wrong things they do and be willing to change for the better. Being ethical, according to me, therefore involve being morally upright, having the morally accepted life values, and having the desire to serve other people through ones best use of mind, body, and spirit without being coerced to do so. Based on my life experience and the studies that I have previously conducted, I have come to learn that though religion is a vital aspect of the common moral law, being ethical involves more that being good to oneself. The life experience has also made me to understand the fact that ethics involves being in a position to be submissive to the higher authority and ensuring that one avoids doing what is immoral. The fact that people who do not harm other people physically, morally, or socially get to be appreciated and loved by others elaborates what being ethical really means – being good (Mackie 1990). Previously, I have been making ethical decisions based on the teachings I have received from my parents and teachers and through copying the positive aspects of my friends and other people around me. I have always strived to ensure that the decisions I make in life do not contravene the common moral law and other governing rules and regulations in society. This involves being just and ensuring that I make decisions that would have a long term benefits and enhance the common good of all humanity. My core believes and values are that all people are equal and that we all deserve to be treated equally by being accorded the respect we deserve as human beings. I also strongly believe that the decisions we make in life should constantly be guided by the common moral law of doing good and avoiding evil rather than our self interest. Since I always strive to ensure that I accord other people fair treatment and mutual respect, I always expect to receive similar fair treatment and to be appreciated for the good things I do. Furthermore, I do not expect favors from other people but rather expect to be corrected whenever I do wrong. For instance, whenever I do favor to other people such as giving them medication when they fall seek, I always expect to be thanked and not to be given a token in return. This is illustrated by the fact that whenever my neighbors and friends are in need of food or tuition fees, I have always strived to ensure that I share with them the food I have or help them get the money, if I can, and I do not demand repayment to be made. Conclusion According to Mackie (1990), ethical standards are crucial in reinforcing the practice of the morally upright behaviors and acts in society. Courage is important for people to constantly act in an ethical way. Good personal and interpersonal leadership and management skills help individuals to make morally upright decisions without thinking of one’s self interest. For instance, treating customers with respect and wide acceptance improve business performance. References Vendemiati, A. (2004). In First Person, The outline of Ethics, The general perspective, Rome, The Urbaniana, The University Press. Mackie, L. J. (1990). Ethics: The Invention of the Wrong and the Right. London, Penguin. ISBN: 0-14-013558-8.