Ethics,Beliefs and Values

Personal Beliefs and Values• Our own knowledge and understanding about

ourselves and the world we inhabit

• Changes in societies’ values

• Being challenged

• Being influenced by the values and behaviour of others.

• Changes in personal circumstances

• Changes in our physiological and psychological needs

Changing Personal Values

The typical influences on our own personal beliefs and values are continuously being added to, or are adapting in various ways,

which means that our own beliefs and values may also alter over time

Ethical Philosophies

• Utilitarian - The greatest good for the greatest number

• Golden Rule - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

• The Rights Approach (Universalism) - Individual rights and obligations – People are not to be used as a means to an end

• Common Good (Distributive Justice) - Everyone is better off because of the act

• Virtue Approach - What kind of person should I be?

Comparative Ethical Philosophies

• Teleology deals with the moral worth of a behaviour as determined by its consequences

• Deontology uses methods and intentions that focus on results and which emphasise personal and social values rather than economic

Levels of Ethical Behaviour

1. Pre-Conventional – focus on the importance of ‘Self’

2. Conventional – focus on the laws and norms of our society

3. Principled – an internal moral code above self and society norms

Human Needs

5. Self-actualisation - Self- fulfilment

4. Ego needs - Prestige and Status

3. Social needs - Affection and Friendship

2. Safety and Security - Protection and Stability

1 . Physiological Needs - Food and Shelter

 

Ethical Behaviour and Human Needs

5. Self-actualisation - Self- fulfilment

4. Ego needs - Prestige and Status

3. Social needs - Affection and Friendship

2. Safety and Security - Protection and Stability

1. Physiological Needs - Food and Shelter

 

Principled Internal Moral Code

Conventional Laws and Norms

Pre-Conventional Self

 

Situational Ethics

1. It can be argued that we do not have a fixed approach to ethical decisions, and that our personal ‘ethical self’ is conditioned by our situation or circumstances.

2. The Desired Outcome from dealing with a problem may emerge from weighing up consideration of the Ethical Self, the Ethical Society, and the Ethical Choices

Issues to consider in Decision-making

1. People

2. Place

3. Purpose

4. Profit