True Diversity: Ethics Development, Understanding, and Application Paper.
What are ethics? How do they shape our decisions? These are important question that will be addressed over the course of this paper. The author will give personal views and feeling regarding her own ethical choices and learning's. Additionally, the theories of Lawrence Kohlberg will be overviewed as an ethical influence in the author's life. .
"Ethics is the study of right and wrong conduct (Ruggiero, 1997)." How does ethics differ from beliefs and values? People believe in religion or science, people value their families and freedoms. Ethics plays the part in all of this by asking if what people value and believe is right or wrong. Ethics and Morals are similar in this regard as they deal with the inner struggles of the gray areas in our lives.
Personal ethics are just that, they are an intimate interpretation of our individual struggles. Making choices that one can deal and live with over time weaves into the ethical and moral decisions one makes on a daily basis. On a personal note, I have come to realize that I have a high moral and ethical standard that I try to live by. Thus, I often impose my standards upon others and when they don't hold up to that line often I am crushed. I recently realized that many people have only one ethic, making money. In that belief, they will do and say anything to make that all mighty dollar, because money means power. Is that ethical? To some yes, to some no, it is up to the individuals to decide. I know that I consistently try to do the right thing, even if the consequences are stiff. I recently lost a job, because I stood up for what was right and everyday I am amazed that I stayed and worked there as long as I did. Six weeks is not long for some however, when faced with an ethical and moral dilemma everyday it is an eternity. I consider myself to have a strong sense of right and wrong and yet the depth in understanding that not everything is black and white.