Introduction
While many people use the words values and ethics interchangeably, there is a distinction between the two. Firstly, values denote to the fundamental beliefs that an individual holds or thinks to be true. As such, each individual has a set of values that he/she uses to direct how they perceive situations in the world. Consequently, values are the guiding principles as in most instances; individuals do not deviate from these principles, especially those instilled in them while they were young. Values are the bridges that one uses when making decisions about what is important, wrong or right, and good or bad (Chowdhury, 2016). On its part, ethics are rules or guidelines defined by society and artificial entities like organizations as opposed to an individual. Ethics are mainly founded on moral values but accepted as the general norms that define actions as good or bad in society or in an organization. Ethics are founded on virtues, rights and duties and obligations. For instance, ethics obliges an individual to prevent vices like rape, murder, and corruption (Mokori & Cloete, 2016). However, it is one’s personal values system that will inform what they do in relation to such incidents. In this paper, I focus on relating the materials learned from the class and course discussions to life experiences so as to evaluate its meaning. The meaning of an individual’s life and experiences is different among individuals.
A Picture of my Values and Ethics and their Origin
Personal values are developed through our life experiences and play a critical role in our lives and the lives of those close to us. Whenever we decide to do something, we are compelled to factor in the effects of such actions not just on us but on the wider community. My personal values focus on the attainment of the common good but not the absence of personal happiness and satisfaction. I cannot say that I feel good when I am not happy because whatever I do is focused on attaining my happiness and the happiness of those close to me. To conclude that you lived a good life, I believe that one should state that their actions were made in the best interests and intentions of all, including them. Vices like selfishness and acting only in one’s best interest cannot be the fundamental elements of a life well-lived in the world. Societal has set norms and ethical perspectives to help us make decisions and live in an honest manner without manipulating others and crafting dishonest means to attaining our goals. I value honest, integrity, love and happiness in the family, and personal liberty and achieving set goals. For instance, personal liberty accords us an opportunity to make the right decisions and choices (Mackinnon & Fiala, 2016) . I believe that once one realizes that any freedom comes with responsibility, he/she must make decisions without any fear since they believe that it is in their best interest and in the interest of those close to them. Further, a life that is lived without any achievements on set goals does not offer any meaning to me and those close to me. Imperatively, I hold these values in high esteem because they have shaped my personality and how people perceive me.
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The origin of my values is my family and up today, I believe that my family means a lot to me and has shaped my personality and the values that I hold. Further, I have also learned these values in school and I believe that each day, I continue to learn more in different situations; at home and in school. My parents instilled these values in me and my siblings as they were and continue to be devoted Christians. They have taught me honesty, integrity, and responsibility in my decisions and choices. I remember one time when my father came home and narrated an incident at his workplace about a colleague who had lied about the true status of his work. It was devastating because the future of the organization depended on the report and status of the colleague’s work. Unfortunately, the person never knew the impact until about a dozen employees lost their jobs because of his incompetence, and my father was among them. Fortunately, he got hired two weeks later in a new organization. Therefore, I believe that integrity, responsibility and honesty should drive our actions and allow us to make rational decisions because we shall account for each choice that we make, if not at a personal level, then at a societal level. I would say that my ethical beliefs have not changed but only undergone a transformation based on how I perceive things now as compared to then. Today, I am independent and have a broadened perspective on all issues, perhaps a global perspective, especially after my trips to other parts of the world.
My Ethical Perspective
Before stating this course, I never taught that I could identify myself with any of the existing ethical perspectives in philosophy. Further, I never taught that my values could fit into any typical ethical perspective. I have lived my life on the foundations of the values taught by my family and those learned through experience. Through this course, I have realized that I closely associate with two contradictory ethical perspectives; utilitarianism and virtue ethics. Utilitarianism states that an action is morally right if it produces more utility for the greater number of people than any other alternative. Therefore, it emphasizes the consequences of an action since such an action affects many people in community. Utilitarianism focuses on the need for one to make choices and decisions that have greater moral benefits to many, not just an individual and whatever action we take, it is not enough to only think of our own happiness or based on out character traits (Mackinnon & Fiala, 2016) . Imperatively, one must weigh their actions and the consequences of such actions for the greater majority. Utilitarianism aligns with nature since nature calls on people to minimize harm and increase pleasure and it is democratic since “what is good for the goose is also good for the gander” because all deserve good and if the bad happens, it should not just be for the few. On its part, virtue ethics proposes that ethics is about having positive traits or virtues. In fact, Aristotle asserts that it is about being a good person; a person with moral integrity, honor, reliable and good-natured or humane. The theory asserts that these virtues define our character and do not come from society (Mokori & Cloete, 2016). Therefore, no group, right from the family to community, can flourish without a majority of its members having these positive traits. Having these virtues allows us to make rational decisions and avoid vices that can harm a greater number and practice good that can transform human being and make people smart herd animals as proposed by Aristotle. I believe that these perspectives define my personality and ethical perceptions. While virtue ethics emphasize the need to have positive character traits, these traits can only be beneficial if we consider the greater good for the majority.
I can say that I have adopted these two, albeit conflicting perspectives, because of my life experience and what I have learned. Virtue ethics have molded my character, right from my young age as my parents ensured that we observe virtues and nurture positive character. I have learned through life that our character shapes our destinies because we demonstrate what we believe. If I believe in honesty and integrity, it follows that I will think about the consequences of my actions and decisions, especially their impact on the majority in my family and community. I am independent but I believe that my decisions demonstrate my character and I can only be judged by my actions. I should not just focus on having pleasure and minimize pain because I will not be harming anyone as deontology ethics suggests, but I must consider the overall implications of my actions in the long-term (Mackinnon & Fiala, 2016) . I believe that a virtuous character compliments the utilitarian perspective since when a majority of people practice virtues and make rational decisions that are not just about themselves but for the common good, then a society will be good. Some say that a little lie is necessary but we should remember that such a rule may only create awful repercussions in the future if accepted. I believe that I apply both perspectives based on the duration to determine the consequences. I act on utilitarian basis if I determine the effects of my actions but if I cannot, I will act based on my moral character based on virtue ethics in my education and historical timelines.
Conclusion
I believe that I will uphold the values that have nurtured me up to today. I value the need to make decisions for the betterment of the greater number but not the absence of happiness. Happiness and strong bonds with family, friends, and attaining success are intertwined with our ethical perspectives. For me, it is important to believe in these values and use them in making decisions based on their consequences and time. I believe that I have a responsibility to have virtues that will increase pleasure and minimize pain, to create a harmonious society where the majority is virtuous because of their character. I want to remain whom I am today and as stated earlier, adjust my perspective based on the situation at the time. I wish to ensure that we live as a smart herd and make rational choices for our good and the good of others.
References
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