Joggling Ethics in a Diversified World

"Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you." - H. Jackson Brown, Jr., American Author


We are faced with decision-making hundreds of times in any given day. Small decisions, big ones, no matter the size, we will make a choice based on the little voices inside our mind. The ones that suggest doing what is right and the ones that scream “go for what you truly want to do”.
How many times have you faced those voices? This battle goes on inside your head, between you and yourself. Nobody else is there but you. What factors are influencing your decision-making? The way your parents raised you, the wonderful education in a private school, the special teacher you silently admire, and your religious or moral beliefs, all play a part in the battle. The fear of consequences, the rules and regulations, and your own code of ethics are also an important factor that plays a role in your choices. One of the questions we must ask is, what comes first, our sense of ethics, or the set of artificial rules that man creates to set the guidelines for what is acceptable or unacceptable? Because we grow up in a family that has its own moral views, family traits, culture and social structure, it is logical to think that we build up our own sense of right and wrong from the instruction we received in the family nucleus. However, born in a family that embraces a strong sense of ethics is not in any way a guarantee that a child will become as wise as them.
There are other factors that shape our character, thus helping us in the process of decision-making. Formal education, environment, culture and individual experiences play a role in the way we think and behave. Furthermore, what is acceptable or unacceptable, legal or illegal, moral or immoral varies from culture to culture. Who can then determine what is right and what is wrong? What gives us the right to decide that our way is the correct way?
The business environment sets their own regulations and limits in an attempt to control employee’s behavior within the context of the workplace. However, having a set of rules or laws does not mean people will respect them. At the end each individual is in charge of his choices.
There are many questions in my head that I hope to clarify in this class. The one thing I have clear is this: there is not a separation line between who we are at work and who we are as individuals.