What Is Ethics?
Ethics is the inquiry into the nature and grounds of right and wrong. It is a set of rules or standards governing the conduct by which we live our lives and involves a level of deep inner thinking when making responsible decisions. It helps us answer questions such as “What should I do?” Like building blocks that form a solid structure; ethics ultimately develops the foundations of who you are and what you believe.
The elements of ethical living can be summarized as follows:
Qualities of a Ethical Person Principles of an Ethical Person
Key Questions
Key Questions
Autonomy Thinking for oneself
What is right for me?
Empathy Showing care for others
What is right for others?
Transcendence Upholding principals of justice
What is right for all?
What is right for me?
Empathy Showing care for others
What is right for others?
Transcendence Upholding principals of justice
What is right for all?
Why Is Ethics Important?
· Teaching ethical behaviour in the classroom is important because it guides students on their personal journey towards becoming responsible adults that can critically analyse situations and reason for themselves.
· Ethical principals act as a mediator when dealing with others, if we have the wrong sense of ethics we may react to people in a negative manner.
· Our behaviour in society reflects our innate character; therefore, for the human character to experience ethics it is essential to obey what is ethical.
Decisions humans make in life will have an impact on the lives of others, and therefore personal ethics are in fact social ethics.
· Ethical principals act as a mediator when dealing with others, if we have the wrong sense of ethics we may react to people in a negative manner.
· Our behaviour in society reflects our innate character; therefore, for the human character to experience ethics it is essential to obey what is ethical.
Decisions humans make in life will have an impact on the lives of others, and therefore personal ethics are in fact social ethics.