Moral & Ethical Values
Definition
• Moral values are the standards of good and bad , which govern an individual’s
behavior and choices. Individual’s morals may derive from society and
government, religion, or self governed.
• Our moral values are largely shaped by the social customs and religious
beliefs.
• We acquire them unconsciously from the society and family in which we grow
up.
Cont…
•Comes from the Greek word – Ethos
meaning character
•Ethics define what is good for individuals
and society.
Types of Moral Values
• Customary Morality
• Religious Morality
• Reflective Morality
Customary Morality
• Communities have certain commonly agreed norms to regulate the behavior
of individual’s in the society.
• These norms are like framework within which individual and social relations
are to be carried out.
Violation of these socio-moral codes invites social criticism.
• Eg: Marriage, family relations, public behavior, festivals.
Religious Morality
• Most of our ethical ideas have come to us from religion.
• Traditional societies have dominant significance in all aspects of personal &
social life.
• All religions started as reform movements aimed at moral & spiritual
upliftment of humankind.
• Religion inspired generations after generations to seek higher levels of
ethical values.
Reflective Morality
• Moral values should be consistent and blend with other values of life (social,
spiritual & aesthetic values).
• Principles for moral life should not demand rejection of other values of life.
• So these must be framed by human beings by taking into account the
realities of healthy human and social life.
• A Morality based on these larger perceptions is termed as Reflective
Morality.
• Moral principles should support human mind, help in growth w.r.t
material, social and spiritual and helps in healthy social life. A morality
based on these perceptions is termed as reflective morality.
• Moral values are reflection of human personality as an individual.
• Traditional values should not be treated as burden but should be
developed and refined timely.
• And it would be open to ideas from all other traditions & cultures.
Human Values WORK ETHICS
• Industry and Society are the two systems which interact with each other
and are interdependent. Work ethics is defined as a set of attitudes
concerned with the value of work, which forms the motivational
orientation.
• The ‘work ethics’ is aimed at ensuring: the economy (create wealth,
earn salary)productivity (wealth, profit)safety (in workplace)health and
hygiene (working conditions)privacy (raise family)security (permanence
against contractual, pension, and retirement benefits)environment(anti-
pollution activities)offer opportunities for all, according to their abilities,
but without discrimination.
Principle of Morality
• Kant has developed some general principles for guiding moral behavior.
• According to him like the laws of nature there are moral laws for the
governance of human conduct.
• Since human beings are rational, and moral agents, their conduct must be
governed by these moral laws.
Three principles of Morality are:
•The Principle of Universality
•The Principle of Humanity as an end in itself
•The Principle of Autonomy
The Principle of Universality
•The moral principle should be applicable to all.
•Rules are same for all and will not differ from
person to person.
The Principle of Humanity as an end in
itself
• This principle demands that we respect the humanity in our own person.
• Treating everyone equally, showing respect & helping everyone despite of their
position & social image.
The Principle of Autonomy
• The moral standards adopted by an individual should arise out because of our
own believes, & not because of external pressure & compulsions.
• Many of us try to live up to standards set up by others, parents, friends, work-
group, social customs etc.
• The principle of moral autonomy demands that we govern ourselves by self
accepted & self-imposed moral laws.
Definition
Ethics: Ethical codes of conduct
instruct us on what we ought or ought
not to do. Typical ethical theories or
ethical codes include basic principles
that are intended to be used to guide
conduct/behavior.
Ethics
The study of moral values or principles that guide
our behavior, and inform us whether actions are
right or wrong.
Ethical values are related to moral judgments about
right and wrong.
Factors to be considered in making ethical
judgment
• The motive from which the action springs.
• The nature of the act itself, including the means adopted.
• The resulting consequences.
The motive from which the action springs
• The purity of the purpose and the goodness of the action behind an essential act
to be judged as ethical.
• If the intention is not good, honest then the actual act cannot be justified
morally.
• Eg: the intention behind the service to influence the behavior to have her will,
that the property will be in my favor. This act can not be called morally
good.
• Having good will, good intensions & having chosen right means for achieving
right ends, however, are still not sufficient conditions for ethical correctness.
• We also need to examine & assess the consequences of our action.
• So in making moral choices & judgements three factors are required: Motive
• Means
• Consequences
Work Ethics
• Work ethic is a set of standards of behavior and beliefs regarding what is
and isn't acceptable to do at work. Work ethic can be strong (good) or
poor (bad), it depends on personal views of employees, their
motivation, and overall company culture.
5 most sought-after workplace ethics and behavior
• Integrity
• Honesty
• Discipline
• Fair and respect
• Responsible and accountable.
Ethics, Morals, and the Law
• Morals Classification of Actions:
• Principles of right and Unethical
wrong Ethical
• Ethics
• A set of moral principles
guiding behavior and Legal Illegal
action
• Laws
• Binding codes of conduct;
formally recognized and
enforced
Unethical Ethical but
• Company Policies but Legal Illegal
