Compare personal ethics with basic literature on ethics

Compare personal ethics with basic literature on ethics.

The course literature has cited Kohlberg to describe the six stages of ethical convention generally accepted. From the pre-conventional level where the individual acts in conformity with the moral standard in order to avoid punishments, the conventional level of ethical conduct is based on the conformity to the socially acceptable and legally defined conducts, and the post-conventional level of ethics where the person is living by a higher standard beyond socially accepted and will not act in a certain way even though it could be accepted by the community in the case where “Ethically correct behavior may transcend an individual and be based upon universal or abstract principles. The views and needs of the individual may take precedence over societal regulations.” From this categorization, my personal ethics is both on post-conventional level.

What are the differences?

There is need to understand that to access the post-conventional level of ethics, we all went to the all process from the pre-conventional level 1 where we acted right in order to avoid our parents or teachers’ punishment. We wanted to be applauded and rewarded. At a older stage of life, we know that it is very important to comply to the law. One of the examples I often cited to demonstrate how easy it is to break the law is the speed limit. Many of us think they have the legal right of a five miles speed limit over the actually legally marked speed limit. I have heard an official explaining on TV that it is not true. This little mind set which is definitely wrong has brought most of us to violate the speed limit. This is where the law intervenes in our daily standard, even though most often we think that we are on the pos-conventional level. The similarities between my personal standard and the post-conventional one are that I do believe in doing what is right as a Christian. I know that I have to act in accordance with what is right and can improve the well being of the community as a whole. I know that what is legal is not always right. The example of Martin Luther king Junior against the segregation and the battle of Nelson Mandela against the legally installed apartheid in South Africa are example of my way to question the law. On the other hand, I will have to deeply reflect on the degree of conformity between the conventional and my personal definition of what is right if a situation could require to violating what is conventional to respect my personal view. I mean here a situation similar to the Denzel Washington movie where he took a hospital hostage to force the physician to save his son’s life.

The difference between my personal values and the actual conventional set of standards is not significant. The course material says that good behavior is linked to the “individual conscience” in relation to choices responsibly made to commit to ethical standards. That is, our cognitive process encompassing our values, culture, and virtues will guide our final decision to stand for the just or the legal. Standing for the just instead of the generally accepted can bring innovation and changes. However, we must be cautious not to break the rules and principle just by desire to play by our own rules. I do agree, for example, with the Obama Care law trying to cover pre-existing conditions. I think it is not just to let a group behind because of a somewhat "pre-existing condition". On the other hand, I think that cigarettes related diseases coverage should be reduced because it is a matter of a poor choice. Excuse me for being so direct. I would face personal issue working in a health insurance organization where I would have to study rejected cases such as pre-existing conditions. My personal view could seriously affect my decision making. According to the Institute of Business Ethics and Social Responsibility people resolve this case by “drawing a line between their role as a professional and their role as an individual.” No comment on that.

How might these similarities and differences affect your behavior personally and in the workplace?

Organizational principles and rules have to be followed until they are changed. However, I am ready to stand for what I do believe in to raise the just above the legal when it is necessary. Johnson (2012) says that “a great deal of destructive leadership behavior is driven by self-centeredness, which manifests itself through pride, greed, narcissism, and Machiavellianism” ( p. 45). My goal is to be a constructive and a participative leader who can be warned by any member of my team if a decision sounds unethical or illegal.

References

Grand Canyon University. (2011). Personal ethics. Retrieved on October 20, 2012 from https://lc.gcu.edu/learningPlatform/user/users.html?token=xW1Nt33ROWrGmlxNHQRZ8RXHzk9yswEL7boZgTGKBZj1cdNaOLJRhfPH5Oi4pCwF&operation=home&classId=905935#/learningPlatform/loudBooks/loudbooks.html?viewPage=current&operation=innerPage¤tTopicname=Personal%20Ethics&topicMaterialId=650282ba-a9d0-4232-b2fa-b3f9ff5b671f&contentId=9c149b17-149d-49f3-bf61-a62069ebe2f5&

Johnson, C. E. (2012). Meeting the ethical challenges of leadership: Casting light or shadow. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.

Institute for Business Ethics and Social Responsibility. (2010).What is the difference between personal and professional ethics? Rochester Institute of Technology. Retrieved on October 20, 2012 from  https://centers.scb.rit.edu/ethics/2010/05/what-is-the-difference-between-personal-ethics-and-professional-ethics/

LEONTES DORZILME