ETHICS THE BEST SOLUTION

ETHICS

THE BEST SOLUTION

Ethics In General

What are ethics?

Ethics is the belief system that permits us to distinguish right from wrong. It is something that we develop over our lifetimes and serves to help us identify good and bad behavior.

Ethics – the study of HOW the choices are made.

Making an ethical decision means we choose the best option available under the circumstances.

Ethics is not just “doing the right thing,” it’s making tough decisions about ambiguous things.

• Ethics cannot be taught. You are able to sense what is right, good and just, and are motivated to act – or you are not.
• While people differ in their abilities, most people can improve their ethical decision-making through education and practice.

What is “professional ethics”?

Professional Ethics – moral expectations specific to the occupational group.

The study of what we do in our professional lives.

General Ethics – individual as member of community, broader range of issues.

Why the Interest in Professional Ethics?

1. Occupations become more specialized, Ethical issues become more specialized.
2. Professional societies have increased efforts to establish ethical codes to guide members.
   1. Increasing public scrutiny, lack of traditional deference.
   2. Regulatory oversight, public protection.