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What ethical foundation should I emphasize during ethics training?
Home » Training » Ethics Training » What ethical foundation should I emphasize during ethics training?What ethical foundation should I emphasize during ethics training?
There are many opinions and philosophies on what a person should use to base their personal ethics. Albert Schweitzer said, “Let me give you the definition of ethics: it is good to maintain life and to further life. It is bad to damage and destroy life.” Most ethicists would agree and emphasize that the ethics guiding your work and relationships should not be self-centered but rather others-centered.
Bettina A. Lankard wrote an article suggesting that a person ask themselves the question, “Would I feel good if my decision was published in the newspaper? Would I feel good if my family knew about it?” While feelings cannot be the ultimate guide, in many cases, they are very helpful in determining how ethical a particular choice is.
Rotary International is well known for its four-way test. It suggests that all actions and decisions should answer yes to each of four questions: Is it fair to all concerned? Is it beneficial to all concerned? Is it the truth? Will it build good will and better friendships? Again, the emphasis is on the other person rather than oneself.
Nearly every major religion proclaims some form of the Golden Rule—that you should treat others as you want to be treated. It is, of course, easier said than done though. As Edwin Markham said, “We have committed the Golden Rule to memory; let us know commit it to life.”
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