Ethics - Your Efforts Make A Difference

Ethics - Your Efforts Make A Difference

         Ethics is another element of human nature. Much has been written about this subject to it is difficult to either add anything or to be original about it. Yet I believe it to be important so I will try.

What is this all about?

This is related to

• our beliefs
• our conduct
• our values
• our standards
• our principles
• our morals
• our ideals
• our integrity

         A heavy list indeed. For any thinking person interested in life and how to get the most out of life and how to contribute, then it seems ethics has much to offer.

What do One have to do to be ethical?

         We talk about being ethical but what does it mean? The following give a good introduction to the meaning of being ethical:

• to be just in our affairs
• to be above board, honest and open
• to be conscientious - not just act but put one's heart into it
• to be equitable and fair in our affairs
• to adopt a moral stance, but to live this out, too
• to be virtuous - elsewhere we discuss virtues, here we want to put them into practice
• to be honorable, loyal and supporting
• to live a life of sharing and contribution

Is there a code One should follow?

         Life is full of rules. Life is full of standards. Life is full of values. You need to find your own. Elsewhere we discuss having a value system. To be ethical is to live this value system out in our day to day lives. Not only when the going is easy, but also when the chips are down.

         For what is any code or guidance if it only means something when life is a downhill. Codes and guidance really come into their own when the going gets tough, when life is an uphill struggle. Then we find whether our code is real for us.

         It is a bit like driving a car. We learn and with practice driving seems pretty easy - most of the time. The difference is illustrated when something unexpected happens and we are forced to react instinctively and with trust.

         The inexperienced driver may panic and make a small mistake which might have serious consequences. The experienced driver may not feel too happy about the situation either, but the 'remote-control' nature of experience takes over, the knowledge that they have been here or somewhere 'like' here before and they drive 'through' the problem situation and out the other side - their experience and skill saving the day.

         Similarly, with being ethical and following an ethical code - when put to the test those who have taken their code to heart, it really does mean something to them, those will be supported by and act from this code. Their code will guide them and give them strength.

         Added to their own strength and resilience they are able to continue where the person, who, thought they are no less able, find that their foundations are rocked. And with this their support system shudders and fractures appear. And this is not what one need's when concerted, focused and determined action is needed to avert unwanted consequences.