1. Essence and Determinants of Ethics

                                      The Essence of Ethics

"In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so."

Ethics is the study of right and wrong in an human action. It involves examining concepts such as right and wrong, good and bad, justice and injustice. The goal of ethics is to provide guidance on how to live our lives and create a better society.

               Ethics Attempts to Answer the Following Questions

                                    

Important Principles of Ethics

The Golden Rule of Ethics

                        "Treat others as you would like to be treated."

This simple rule is a powerful guide for ethical behavior. It means that we should treat others with the same respect, kindness, and consideration that we would want for ourselves.

The Importance of the Golden Rule

• It helps us to understand the feelings of others and see things from their perspective.
• It promotes the belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness.
• It helps to build communities based on mutual respect and compassion.
• It helps us to develop our own moral character by treating others with kindness and generosity.

The Ethics in Everyday Life

• Teach our children to tell the truth and avoid lying.
• Be honest with our colleagues and customers at work.
• Vote for the right person, even if he/she is not the most popular candidate.
• Make decisions fairly and impartially.
• Try to listen to and understand the feelings of others.
• Volunteer our time and resources to help those in need.
• Learn about different cultures and ways of life.
• Treat all people with respect, regardless of their age, gender, religion, or social status.
• Honor and help our elders.
• Recognize that we have the freedom to make our own choices, but our choices should not infringe on the rights of others.
• Take action against injustice in society.
• Use our freedom responsibly by obeying the law.

Ethics can sometimes seem complex to us, because we need to follow different ethical principles depending on the situation. However, learning the basic principles of ethics and trying to apply them in our lives can help us to live happier and more fulfilling lives and contribute to a better society.

                                            

 

 

 

 

                                                              Determinants of Ethics

Ethics is an integral part of human life. It guides our behavior by teaching us the difference between good and bad, right and wrong. Human ethics is a complex structure that is influenced by various factors. Family, religion, education, society, law, media, and personal life experiences play a significant role in the development of our ethics. Each of these factors provides us with guidance on what is good and bad.

Family

Family is the first place of moral development for an individual. Parents and family members provide moral guidance to children through their actions, beliefs, and values.

• Example: If a mother teaches her child that lying is wrong, the child will adopt the morality of telling the truth.

Religion

Religion provides moral guidance through its commandments, principles, and holy scriptures.

• Example: In Hinduism, it is said 'Ahimsa Paramo Dharmaḥ', which emphasizes non-violence both morally and religiously. This leads to the moral judgment that violence is wrong, and many people refrain from violence due to this.

Educational Institutions

Schools, colleges, and universities teach students about logical thinking, ethical principles, and social values.

• Example: When a lesson on 'Environmental Protection' is taught in school, students learn about the harms of plastic use and the importance of environmental protection.

Society

Society provides moral guidance through its traditions and cultures.

• Example: The village of Piplantri in Rajasthan, India, has transformed itself through a unique tradition. Every time a girl child is born, the villagers plant trees to celebrate her arrival and contribute to the environment.

Law of the Land

Laws represent the democracy and justice of a country. Laws serve as a measure to determine what is right and what is wrong.

• Example: Laws prohibit drivers from drinking alcohol while driving. This clarifies that it is right from the point of view of public safety.

Media

The media raises public awareness and inspires moral judgment through truthful reporting, news, and analysis.

• Example: When the media vividly explains the ill effects of corruption, the public considers corruption to be wrong and increases pressure on the government to reduce corruption.

Individual Life Experiences

An individual's real-life experiences, the lessons learned from their failures and successes, shape their moral perspective.

• Example: A person who achieves success through hard work realizes the value of hard work and believes it to be right.

All these factors together form our ethics and help us determine right and wrong. Ethics is an ongoing process that grows and develops throughout life. As we gain new experiences and gain a better understanding of the world, our ethics also change. We should always be ready to question our ethics and re-evaluate our beliefs.

Cultivating good ethics is essential for our growth as individuals and as a society. Ethics provides us with the guidance and direction we need to live together and build a just and prosperous society.

 

"Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do."