Introduction to Ethics

Learning goal: Develop a greater understanding of ethics and your own character. Vocabulary 1.ethics 2.values 3.attitudes 4.mission statement

Mission Statement “We change the lives of students through learning.” – Wunderlich Intermediate Value Goal Strength—What can you do well to meet those goals?

Objectives: I can identify my values, goals, and strengths. I can communicate my strengths with others. I can strengthen my own view of who I am and what my goals are.

How are we to know the good from evil? Has some divine power set standards of good and evil for all times, or are good and evil matters of the local culture/state/community? Is good in the very nature of things, or is it something which we can decide for ourselves? How can we distinguish good from evil?

Ethics: Good v. Evil Values—those things that are important to or valued by someone. That someone can be an individual or collectively, an organization. Ethics—general idea or belief that influences people's behavior and attitudes. Attitude—a way of thinking or feeling and typically reflected in a person’s behavior. Morals—have to do with right and wrong and the goodness or badness of human character.

What is Ethics? General idea or belief that influences people’s behaviors and attitudes Ethics refers to how a person should behave.

Ethics Ethics is putting principles into action There should be consistency in what we believe in and what our actions portray Ethics involves self-restraint in situations

Self-Restraint and Ethics Not doing something just because you can (ex. Speeding) Not doing what you have the right to do. There’s a big difference between having a right to do something and doing the right thing (ex. Free speech, You can say almost anything but doesn’t mean you should) Not doing what you want to do. Doing more than the law requires and less than the law allows

Why be ethical? There is an inner belief. Doing the right thing is good enough There is a personal advantage. It’s good business. There is approval. Being ethical leads to higher self-esteem, admiration from loved ones, and higher esteem from others. There is religion. There is habit. Upbringing can affect this.

Obstacles When faced with questionable situations, people make the wrong decision and forget their ethics. The pursuit of happiness is an obstacle because people put the wrong emphasis on wrong priorities that distract from original ethics.

Integrity Integrity is from the Latin word “integer”, whole number A person that’s consistent in their beliefs and making the right decision Life doesn’t run a person with integrity, they make decisions based on beliefs What you see is what you get People without integrity are “two-faced” or “hypocrites”

Character It’s what you do when no one is looking Trustworthiness: be honest and reliable Respect: manners, tolerance of others, peace makers Responsibility: do what you’re supposed to do Fairness: play by the rules Caring: be king and compassionate, forgive Citizenship: make your school and community better, volunteer