What has helped to influence your personal and professional ethical ✓ Solved

What has helped to influence your personal and professional ethical practices? Would you most closely align your ethical practices with deontology, utilitarianism, or virtue ethics? Make sure to fully explain your thoughts.

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Ethical practices play a crucial role in shaping both personal and professional identities. They guide decision-making, foster integrity, and establish trust in relationships. Influences on ethical practices can arise from diverse sources, including cultural background, education, religious beliefs, and personal experiences. This essay will examine the factors that have influenced my ethical practices and will argue that my ethical alignment is closest to virtue ethics, while also recognizing elements of deontology and utilitarianism.

Influences on Personal and Professional Ethical Practices

One primary influence on my ethical practices has been my upbringing. Growing up in a household that emphasized honesty, respect, and empathy created a foundation for my ethical beliefs. My parents instilled in me the importance of treating others as I would like to be treated, which aligns with the principles of virtue ethics. This moral upbringing shaped my character and influenced my behaviors, fostering a sense of responsibility towards others.

Moreover, education has also played a significant role in shaping my ethical practices. Coursework on ethics and philosophy introduced me to various ethical frameworks, including deontology, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics. The study of these concepts allowed me to reflect on my personal experiences and align my views with theoretical approaches. For instance, understanding Kant's deontological perspective emphasized the significance of intentions behind actions, while utilitarian principles highlighted the outcomes of decisions. This exposure has engendered a nuanced understanding of moral reasoning.

In addition to family and education, professional experiences have further influenced my ethical practices. Working in environments that prioritize ethical behavior, such as volunteer organizations and ethical firms, has reinforced the importance of maintaining high ethical standards. In these settings, I have witnessed how ethical practices lead to better team dynamics, higher employee satisfaction, and enhanced organizational reputation. The positive outcomes of ethical behavior are a testament to the practical importance of ethics in professional environments.

Aligning with Ethical Theories

After considering various ethical frameworks, I believe my ethical practices align most closely with virtue ethics, which emphasizes character and the cultivation of virtues. Virtue ethics focuses on what kind of person one should strive to be, rather than solely on the morality of specific actions or the consequences of those actions. This alignment resonates with my belief in intrinsic values such as honesty, kindness, and integrity.

For example, I find that my daily decisions are often guided by virtues rather than rigid rules or calculations of utility. When faced with ethical dilemmas, I prioritize integrity and compassion. I believe that embodying virtues allows one to navigate complex situations with a moral compass that is consistent rather than arbitrary. As Aristotle posited, developing virtuous character leads individuals toward achieving eudaimonia, or flourishing, which I view as an essential component of a fulfilling personal and professional life (Hursthouse, 1999).

However, I also acknowledge the importance of deontological principles, particularly in professional settings where rules and codes of conduct are established. Adhering to ethical guidelines, such as adhering to confidentiality in healthcare or respecting intellectual property in academia, reflects deontological ethics, which is anchored in duties and obligations (Bennett & Soni, 2019). This aspect ensures that I maintain ethical integrity and protect the rights of others, highlighting the necessity of balancing virtue ethics with some aspects of deontological ethics.

Additionally, utilitarianism has influenced my ethical practices in specific contexts, especially in decision-making processes that involve evaluating the consequences of actions. When participating in group projects or leadership roles, I consider the potential outcomes of my decisions on all stakeholders involved. However, unlike a strict utilitarian approach that may disregard individual rights for the sake of the greater good, I incorporate my commitment to virtues to ensure that my decisions remain ethical (Mill, 1863). For instance, while determining the best approach to a community service initiative, I would weigh the overall benefit of the project against the potential harm to specific individuals, ultimately seeking a balance that aligns with both utilitarian and virtuous principles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my personal and professional ethical practices have been influenced by various factors, including my upbringing, education, and professional experiences. While I predominantly align with virtue ethics—prioritizing character and intrinsic values—I recognize the importance of integrating elements of deontological and utilitarian frameworks to navigate ethical dilemmas effectively. This multifaceted approach allows me to embody the ideals of a moral and ethical individual, striving for personal integrity while also considering the broader implications of my decisions.

References

  • Bennett, J., & Soni, V. (2019). Ethical Decision-Making: A Deontological Perspective. Journal of Business Ethics, 156(4), 885-902.

  • Hursthouse, R. (1999). Virtue Ethics. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-virtue/

  • Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. Cambridge University Press.

  • Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. Parker, Son, and Bourn.

  • Rachels, J. (2015). The Elements of Moral Philosophy. McGraw-Hill Education.

  • Velasquez, M. (2014). Business Ethics: Concepts and Cases. Pearson.

  • Singer, P. (2011). Practical Ethics. Cambridge University Press.

  • Nussbaum, M. C. (2011). Creating Capabilities: The Human Development Approach. Harvard University Press.

  • Dawkins, R. (2006). The God Delusion. Bantam Press.

  • Foot, Philippa. (2001). Natural Goodness. Oxford University Press.