The Pursuit of Ethics

Success 100

Mr. David Rude, instructor

In a recent Wall Street Journal

article, Psychology professor Steven Davis says that

cheating by high school students has increased from about 20 percent in the 1940’s to 75 percent

today.

“Students say cheating in high school is for grades, cheating

in college is for a career.”

If students lack ethics in high school and college, then there should be little surprise that

they lack ethics in their careers. Greed and over-reaching

ambition often end in disastrous personal consequences.

Convicted inside trader, Dennis Levine, in a Fortune magazine

article wrote:“I have painful memories of my daughter Sarah learning to walk in a prison visiting room, and of

my son Adam pleading with a guard who wouldn’t let him

bring in a Mickey Mouse coloring book.”

Is there an ethics crisis in America?

One recent national election day poll indicated that 56 percent of voters thought

that America’s problems are “primarily moral and social.” Only 36 percent thought that the nation’s problems were

“primarily economic.”

The classical economists such as Adam Smith considered economics a branch of ethics. Business activity would grind to a halt without trust, fair dealings, and honest communication.

• You and I were born into this world; one day you and I will leave it.

What we do in-between determines who we are, and whether we made the world better or worse.

‘It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be!’ – Professor Dumbledore, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

When evaluating one’s goals and objectives, a vital question must be asked: What is your highest hope?

A. WealthB. Fame C. KnowledgeD. PopularityE. Integrity

If integrity is second to any of the

alternatives, then it is subject to sacrifice in

situations where a choice must be made. Such situations will inevitably occur in every person’s life.

Steps to ethical decision making

Let’s consider people who have most demonstrated integrity or lack

thereof:

Heroes and villains in life and legend, from ancient times to the present day.

Who am I?

Known for winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, left her home in Macedonia and moved to India at age 18, taught school in Calcutta, and provided shelter and

medical care to the poor.a. Al Gore

b. Mata Haric. Alexander

d. Mother Teresae. Princess Diana

Mother Teresa (1910-1997), was an Albanian Roman Catholic nun with Indian citizenship, who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata (Calcutta), India in 1950. For over 45 years she ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying, while guiding the Missionaries of Charity's expansion, first throughout India and then in other countries.

Mother Teresa became an icon of peace, love, and service to humanity. She received about 124 prestigious awards such as: John F. Kennedy International Award, Order of Merit from Queen Elizabeth, Nobel Peace Prize (the prize money she donated to poor people), and US Medal of Freedom.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity continued to expand, and at the time of her death it was operating 610 missions in 123 countries, including hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis, soup kitchens, children's and family counseling programs, orphanages, and schools.

What most made Teresa a hero?

a. Big smile.

b. Won the Nobel Peace Prize.

c. Able to speak fluently in English, Albanian, Serbo-Croat, Bengali, and Hindi.

d. Established the Missionaries of Charity.

e. Self-sacrifice and courage: She gave her life serving others.

Who am I?

Known for being youngest person to win Nobel Peace

Prize for work on Civil Rights.a.Jesse Jackson

b.Martin Luther King Jrc.John Brown Sr.d.Oprah Winfrey

Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement . He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Gandhi.

I Have a Dream speech by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Who am I?

Known for being born in a log cabin, being a good wrestler, honesty, standing up for

what’s right, and not being a quitter.a.Benjamin Franklinb.George Washingtonc.Alexander Hamilton

d.Abraham Lincolne.Theodore Roosevelt

Abraham LincolnThe spirit that guided Lincoln was clearly that of his Second Inaugural Address, now inscribed on one wall of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D. C.: "With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds.... "

The American Civil WarLincoln never let the world forget that the Civil War involved an even larger issue. This he stated most movingly in dedicating the military cemetery at Gettysburg: "that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

What most made Lincoln a hero?

a. He was a U.S. President.

b. He had a nice beard.

c. He led America through its most difficult time.

d. He changed the course of the American Republic.

e. He displayed virtues of integrity, wisdom, and forgiveness.

Who am I?

Known for inspiring the modern civil rights movement in US.a.Rachel Kennedyb.Wilma Rudolf

c.Rosa Parksd.Maya Angelou

Rosa ParksOn December 1, 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama Parks, age 42, refused to obey bus driver James Blakes’ order that she give up her seat to make room for a white passenger. Parks' action was not the first of its kind to impact the civil rights issue. Parks' act of defiance became an important symbol of the modern Civil Rights Movement and Parks became an international icon of resistance to racial segregation.

Rosa Parks on the bus

What most made Rosa Parks a hero?

a. Sparking the modern civil rights movement in the United States .

b. Fought for equal rights and treatment for African Americans.

c. Worked to motivate and direct youth to achieve their highest potential

Who am I?

Known for being a brilliant combat soldier, famously referred to by my rank alone, physically tough, and never giving up.

a.Sgt. Yorkb.John Paul Jonesc.General Patton

d.Master Chief Petty Officer Johne. Colonel Andrew Jackson

Master Chief Petty Officer John-117

Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, commonly called Master Chief, and whose real name is known only as John, is the fictional protagonist in the Halo universe, created by Bungie Studios. He is the main character of the video game Halo: Combat Evolved. Outside of video games, the Master Chief appears in the novels Halo: The Fall of Reach, Halo: The Flood, Halo: First Strike, and Halo: Uprising.

The AI program, Cortana, described the master chief (p. 268 of Halo: The Fall of Reach): “He placed his mission and his duty and honor above his personal safety.”

HALO

What most makes the Master Chief a hero?

a. He’s human.

b. He fights for earth.

c. It’s Halo! ‘Nuf said!

d. He has some amazing high-tech gear.

e. He displays virtues of honesty, perseverance, and self-sacrifice.

a. Need for popularity

b. Greed for money

c. Desire for power

d. Ambition to be famous

e. Something else

Whether we derive a code

of ethics from

religious beliefs, a study of

history and literature, or

personal experience

and observation: We can all agree upon some basic

values.

A nation or a culture cannot endure for long unless it is undergirded by common values such as valor, public spiritedness, respect for others and for the law; It cannot stand unless it is populated by people who will act on the motives superior to their own immediate interest.

Chuck Colson, Against the Night

Can you make a

difference?

A list of the TOP TEN QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASKYOURSELF WHEN MAKING AN ETHICAL

DECISION

10. Could the decision become habit forming?If so, don't do it.

9. Is it legal?If it isn't, don't do it.

8. Is it safe?If it isn't, don't do it.

7. Is it the right thing to do?If it isn't, don't do it.

6. Will this stand the test of public scrutiny?If it won't, don't do it. 5. If something terrible were to happen, could I defend my actions?If you can't, don't do it.

4. Is it just, balanced, and fair?If it isn't, don't do it.

3. How will it make me feel about myself?If it's lousy, don't do it.

2. Does this choice lead to the greatest good for the greatest number?If it doesn't, don't do it.

And the #1 question you should ask yourself when making an ethical decision:1.Would I do this in front of my mother?If you wouldn't, don't do it.

How can an honest person

succeed?

If societal values are deteriorating, maintaining high ethical standards in accounting and business grows increasingly difficult. People will undoubtedly ask, if everyone else is dishonest, then how can an ethical person possibly succeed? Nevertheless, the real question is, how does one measure success?

‘The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.’ – Helen Keller, author, activist and lecturer.

‘Each person must live their life as a model for others. ‘ – Rosa Parks, civil rights activist.

Can one person really make a difference?

‘The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.’- Margaret Chase Smith, first woman elected to both houses of the U.S. Congress

‘It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends.’ - Professor Albus Dumbledore, in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

When the situation needs improvement, Gandhi offers guidance: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour.

Japanese proverb