Ethics
What are Ethics?
According to Alavudeen, Rahman & Jayakumaran (2008), ethics has been defined as a term that refers to a collection of prescribed code of conduct among individuals or groups of individuals. While some places are defined by a written code of conduct, some of these ethics are not written down. For instance, in an organization, there may be a prescribed code of behaviors for employees to follow. Usually, the code of behavior dictates among individuals what is right and what is what is wrong. Ethics is actually what ought to be done by individuals. It does not refer to what has been done or is being done, but what ought to be done.
Usually, ethics are those rules that dictate the behavior of individuals of a given profession. For instance, the proposition that women should be treated the same way men are treated at the workplace is a code of ethics. Additionally, it is a code of ethics to address all the colleagues at the workplace with respect. Ethics are therefore those principles that when followed will contribute to the promotion of values such as fairness, good behavior, trust and kindness.
Whether there is a Difference between Ethics and Morality
Morality refers to the conformance to a known system of rules that define what is right or wrong. Systems of morality vary depending on the place, time and group of individuals. While ethics and morality has been used interchangeably, there are differences between ethics and morality. For instance, while ethics provide a guideline on what an individual or group of individuals is supposed to follow, morality defines what an individual is actually doing. Additionally, while ethics usually govern the behavior of professionals, morality is a set of rules that cut across all individuals’ of a society, whether professionals or just a mere member of the society (Alavudeen, Rahman & Jayakumaran, 2008, p. 46). There could be instances in which ethics actually overrides individual morality. For instance, in a court, the case of a lawyer defending his client who has been accused of theft. While morality has it that it is wrong to steal, the code of ethics within the profession of law has it that every person accused has the right to be as vigorously defended as vigorously as possible.
Another difference between ethics and morality is that ethics may be written while morality rules are not usually written out. Ethics therefore allow the members of a particular societal environment to be equal. On the other hand, morality may vary from place to place. Morality thus represents personal principles and stands, while ethics refer to those rules that the shape the society within which the principles of morality are defined.
My Ethics
As a student, there are various rules and regulation that govern our behavior. As such, I have the responsibility as a student to follow those rules. While it would have no moral implication to not follow the rules, the institution may take it as a breach of its ethical principles and even punish me as an offender. Additionally, my ethics involve respecting other students in equal measure without consideration to age, gender or race.
Where Ethics Come From
Ethics is basically derived from the principle of societal justice (Singer, 2013, p. 2). According to Singer, the society is often governed by conflicts hence the pressure to solve these conflicts. In so doing, the society has attempted to perfect and amend various rules that govern social interaction. For example, in the work place, an organization will try to harmonize and standardize working environment in order to create a place that is neutral for every employee.
Edel (1993, p. 4) argues in the same line as Singer, and posits that ethics is derived from conflicting individual demands. According to Edel, ethics is derived from individual morality concept from which individual differences stem. It is thus in the attempt of solving these differences that a standard rule of ethics is created. Ethics is thus formulated as a result of the variation in individual moral values.
Whether Businesses Have Ethical Responsibility and to Whom They Owe It
Sims (2003, p. 13) has argued that businesses have ethical responsibility. According to Sims, businesses have to act in a neutral manner that will satisfy all the parties affiliated to it. The business environment represents a neutral place where interactions between individuals is made easy and fair. It therefore follows: to whom does the businesses owe their ethical responsibility?
Businesses usually depend on a number of stakeholders to steer forward its goals and objectives towards its mission. The combination of these stakeholders with different backgrounds means that conflicts will always occur. This is due to the fact that everybody wants things done to satisfy their own interests while ignoring the other stakeholders’ interests. In this process, there are those stakeholders that are most likely to be oppressed owing to the fact that they may lack someone to represent their interests. It therefore means that first, the businesses owe ethics to such stakeholders. This happens in a simple process of events.
First, the businesses form ethical committees to oversee the implementation of the code of ethics. Usually, the offenders are those aggressive stakeholders with selfish gains. In the event that they do not follow the code of ethics, there are sanctions that will see to it that they are punished for their deeds. In the process, the weaker stakeholders receive justice and are thankful that an ethical committee or procedure exists in the organization.
The second party to which the businesses owe an ethical responsibility is the society: the surrounding in which the businesses operate. While the internal stakeholders benefit from the code of ethics, the society also demands that the businesses carry out their activities in an ethical manner. For instance, the business should not collect bribe from potential employees or job applicants. Additionally, the businesses should pay for polluting the environment in order to ensure that all the externalities are catered for. The businesses thus must ensure that they formulate a code of ethics that fosters a peaceful relationship with the internal stakeholders as well as the society.
References
Alavudeen, A., Rahman, R. K., & Jayakumaran, M. (2008). Professional ethics and human values. Firewall Media.
Edel, A. (1993). In Search of the Ethical: Moral Theory in Twentieth Century America (Vol. 5). Transaction Publishers.
Sims, R. R. (2003). Ethics and corporate social responsibility: Why giants fall. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Praeger.
Singer, P. (2013). A Companion to Ethics. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.