Determinants of ethics
Determination of what is right or wrong behavior is not an easy task.
There is no ethical principle which is eternal and universal.
Abortion is morally wrong for some people, but it is not for others. Popconography is acceptable in some societies, but unacceptable in others.
At one time slavery was not morally wrong in some parts of the world whereas it is considered highly unethical in most of the modern societies.
Some of the important determinants
- Law of the land
- Culture/Religion/Caste
- Family influences
- Peer (friends and colleagues) influences
- Individual’s life experiences.”
- Willingness to take risk.
- Self education etc.
Consequence of ethics
Uses of ethics
It guides our behaviour for what is right or wrong, helps in making our decisions better, in resolving day to day dilemmas and conflicts.
Ethics allows us to cultivate inner peace. Lives that are lived ethically tend to be calmer, more focused, and more productive than those that are lived unethically.
Ethics provides for a stable society. When people live ethical lives, they tell the truth, avoid harming others, and are generous. Working with such people is easy.
On the other hand, callous and insensitive people are distrusted, so it’s difficult for them to be integrated well into social arrangements. A stable society requires a lot of ethical people working together in highly coordinated ways. If society were mostly composed of unethical people, it would quickly crumble.
At individual level
Ethics boosts dignity and self-respect. It foster respect from others and gives opportunity of leadership.
It avoids crisis of conscience.
It improves spiritual and mental well-being.
Ethics helps us to arrive at decisions more quickly as it assists making choices.
Helps in achieving true happiness.
Reduction in petty crimes like Jumping red light, Domestic violence, Crime against the aged, women and children etc.
They motivate people towards higher goals of life like self esteem and self realization.
At social level
Mother Teresa said if everybody clean up his/her door step then whole society will be clean. Clean environment can only be achieved by environmental ethics in society.
Respect for women and their rights can solve the problem of gender inequality, malnourishment, female child education.
Often ethics succeeds law in safeguarding the society. Technology, for example is growing at such a fast pace that the by the time law comes up with a regulation we have a newer technology with new threats replacing the older one.
It helps in bringing integration and stability to the society.
It brings harmony at social level and enhances social capital and its utilization.
Ethics help in the progress of society as it propagates values of equality, tolerance, liberty, justice, fraternity and altruism.
Keeps control over regionalism, casteism, intolerance and apathy towards each other.