Importance of ethics

At present, there is confusion in our society. There are disputes. There are grievances. There are court cases. There is frustration. Many people are unhappy. There is injustice. A main reason for this situation is that we do not treat ethics as important. We always run after money and power ignoring ethics.

About 50 years back, we took ethics seriously. We were respecting our elders. We had discipline in schools, universities and in workplaces. We respected our teachers. We had values. We did not run after money. Our conduct was important. We respected teachers, religious leaders, social workers, doctors and leaders of the villages. They were not rich. But today, unfortunately, we respect only people having a lot of money. We ignore other values. This has caused the present disaster in our society.

Ethics are the moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour or the conducting of an activity. Ethics is the branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles. Ethics is an area of study that deals with ideas about what is good and bad behaviour. Ethics is a branch of philosophy dealing with what is morally right and wrong. To behave ethically is to behave in a manner that is consistent with what is generally considered the right moral. Individually or organisationally, values determine what is right and what is wrong. Doing what is right is what we mean by ethics.

A key component of workplace ethics and behaviour is integrity or being honest and doing the right thing all the time. Ethics include respect for another’s property, refraining from violence and treating others with civility.

Human values and ethics are closely connected. Basic human values include honesty, loyalty, love and peace. These bring out the fundamental goodness of human beings and the society. Justice, honesty, empathy, compassion, respect and responsibility are important ethical values.

Let us learn about the importance of ethics. Let us do our profession according to professional ethics. Let us condemn unethical behaviour.

D. WEERATUNGA,

NUGEGODA.