PRIYADARSHINI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, NAGPUR
Department: Humanities
Professional Ethics
UNIT I Notes
Topics: Human Values, Morals, values and Ethics, Integrity, Work ethics, Service learning,
Civic virtue, Respect for others, Living peacefully, Caring, Sharing, Honesty,
Courage. (7 Hours)
INTRODUCTION:
Values form the basis for all our thoughts, behaviors and actions. Once we know what is
valuable to us, these values becomes the basis, the anchor for our actions. We also need to
understand the universality of various human values, because only then we can have a
definite and common program for value education. Then only we can be assured of a happy and
harmonious human society.
VALUES
A value is defined as a principle that promotes well-being or prevents harm.” Another definition
is: Values are our guidelines for our success—our paradigm about what is acceptable.”
The human values evolve because of the following factors:
1. The impact of norms of the society on the fulfillment of the individual’s needs or
desires.
2. Developed or modified by one’s own awareness, choice, and judgment in fulfilling the
needs.
3. by the teachings and practice of Preceptors (Gurus) or Saviors or religious leaders.
4. Fostered or modified by social leaders, rulers of kingdom, and by law (government).
HUMAN VALUES
Values are generally regarded as the moral standards of human behaviors in the society. It is a
kind of quality of humans, which is applied to human activities. It is transmitted to a
circumstantial factor which depends upon the judgment of the fact.
The word ‘value’ is derived from the Latin word ‘valeo’ which originally meant strength and also
health, and then by natural transition, it came to mean being effective and adequate.
In French the term ‘valeur’ means excellence. Value is a mixture of three concepts such as Idea,
Quality and Supervention.
Values can be defined as the principles that guide people's lives, and have varying significance.
Values are the essence of our personality, and affect us to make decisions, trust people, and
arrange our time and energy in our social life.
Meaning and Definition of Values
According to its verbal meaning value signifies that quality of an individual or thing which makes
that individual or thing important, respectable and useful. The quality may be internal or external
or both.
Values means something that is precious, dear, worthwhile, valuable and estimable and hence
worthy of possession. Value is a standard. A value may be described as an emotional attitude,
which motivates a person directly or indirectly to act in the most desirable way preferred by him
or her. Values are defined as ‘beliefs upon which man acts by preferences’. The Oxford Dictionary
define value as something of great worth or importance or standard or principle that is valuable in
life.
Values are the guiding principles of life which are conducive to all round development. They give
direction and firmness to life and bring joy, satisfaction and peace to life. They bring quality to
life. Thus “Value is something or anything which appeals us, satisfying our needs, whether it is
material or non-material, satisfaction and desirability are common elements in it.”
Values are formed on the basis of interests, choices, needs, desires and preferences. These
comprise the nuclei of value formation. Values have a selective or directional quality. When
preferences acquire certain definiteness, intensity and stability, these become the criteria for
judgement, choices, action and grounds for decision-making in behaviour. Value thus is
considered to be an enduring belief upon which human beings act by [Link] involve
the processes of thinking, knowing/understanding feelings and action. These involve feelings i.e.
strong liking for something, feeling deeply about the things one values and so on. People's action
often give us clues as to what they value. If we try noticing what a person does in spare time when
he or she is not being coaxed or threatened to do a particular activity, we may get some ideas
about what he/she values.
Generally, value refers to the 'desirable'. It is difficult, however to define what is desirable, what
kind of things/actions are good. What is desirable today may not be a desirable tomorrow and
what is desirable here may not desirable elsewhere. Desirable is when our actions promote the
general good in terms of the norms and ideals of a particular society and in terms of the
consequences of our practices and action.
According to John Dewey, The value means primarily to prize, to esteem, to appraise and to
estimate. It means the act of cherishing something, holding it dear and also the act of passing
judgement upon the nature and amounts of values as compared with something else.
The Dictionary of Education (1959) defines values as, “The things in which people are interested
– things they want to desire to be or become; feel as obligatory, worship or enjoy.”
Morals, values
Moral values are those values that enable an individual in making a distinction between right and
wrong and good and bad etc. It particularly refer to the conduct of man towards man in the various
situations in which human beings come together. They reveal a person’s self-control.
Example: fairness, justice, equality, human dignity, honesty, integrity, sense of responsibility,
compassion etc.
Ethics
Ethics is the word that refers to morals, values, and beliefs of the individuals, family or the
society.
The word has several meanings. Basically it is an activity and process of inquiry. Secondly, it is
different from non-moral problems, when dealing with issues and controversies. Thirdly, ethics
refers to a particular set of beliefs, attitudes, and habits of individuals or family or groups
concerned with morals. Fourth, it is used to mean ‘morally correct’.
The study on ethics helps to know the people’s beliefs, values, and morals, learn the good and bad
of them, and practice them to maximize their well-being and happiness. It involves the inquiry on
the existing situations, form judgments and resolve the issues. In addition, ethics tells us how to
live, to respond to issues, through the duties, rights, responsibilities, and obligations. In religion,
similar principles are included, but the reasoning on procedures is limited. The principles and
practices of religions have varied from to time to time (history), region (geography, climatic
conditions), religion, society, language, caste and creed. But ethics has grown to a large extent
beyond the barriers listed above. In ethics, the focus is to study and apply the principles and
practices, universally.
Ethics are professional standards. Ethics are thus internally defined and adopted, whilst morals
tend to be externally imposed on other people. Ethics is the branch of philosophy concerned with
human values and conduct, moral duty, and obligation. Basically, ethics is concerned with what
people might describe as right and wrong human conduct.
Integrity
Integrity is the unity of character based on moral values. Consistency in attitudes, emotions and
conduct in relations to morally justified actions and values are also the part of integrity of
individual. It implies honesty, trustworthiness.
Integrity comes in many forms, but honesty and dependability are two traits that are expected in
most workplace situations. Without responsible behavior, distrust can make a work environment
tense and uncomfortable. A strong work ethic shows co- workers and clients that you're reliable
and take your responsibilities seriously. Polite communication, respectable behavior and fiscal
responsibility also help you stand out as a trustworthy employee.
Examples of integrity at workplace:
(i) Work When You're on the Clock
Working diligently when you're on the clock is a clear example of workplace integrity.
Socializing, surfing the Internet, making personal phone calls, texting and frequent snacking are
activities that detract from work time. Saving those activities for break time will show your boss,
co-workers and customers that you work hard when you're on the clock. The career website
Calibrate Coaching recommends honoring your work hours by not stealing time from your
employer. Even if you don't actually clock in and out with a time card, focusing on your work
responsibilities while you're at your desk, work station or production area will showcase your
strong work habits.
(ii) Follow Company Policies
Abiding by company policies is a powerful way to demonstrate integrity. Cutting corners and
neglecting to follow workplace regulations can lead to mistakes, problems and even dangerous
situations. Your willingness to properly record financial transactions, safely dispense of hazardous
or toxic materials, follow company protocol for dealing with clients, perform clean-up or set-up
procedures and properly maintain equipment shows others that you're not just looking for the easy
way out. Establishing yourself as a trustworthy worker who submits to company policies shows
your boss and co-workers that you'll faithfully carry out your duties.
(iii) Respect Co-workers and Build Trust
Respecting those you work with reveals your desire to create a healthy work environment. Polite
communication, appropriate interactions and respect for co-workers' thoughts and ideas
demonstrate your ability to look beyond your own interests to pursue team-centered work goals.
As you deal with co-workers honestly and respectfully, you establish a level of trust with them.
According to Amy Rees Anderson, a contributor to Forbes magazine, those who trust you will
spread the word of that trust to their associates, and word of your character will spread like
wildfire.
WORK ETHICS:
Industry and Society are the two systems which interact with each other and are interdependent.
Society requires industry/business system which provides manufacturing, distribution and
consumption activities. It needs investment (capital input), labor (input), supply (raw materials),
production (industries, business organizations), marketing and distribution (transport), and
consumption (public, customer). A lot of transactions (and interactions) between these sub-
systems involving people are needed for the welfare of the society. It is here, the work ethics plays
an essential role.
Work ethics is defined as a set of attitudes concerned with the value of work, which forms the
motivational orientation. It is a set of values based on hard work and diligence. It is also a belief in
the moral benefit of work and its ability to enhance character. A work ethic may include being
reliable, having initiative, or pursuing new skills. The ‘work ethics’ is aimed at ensuring the
economy (get job, create wealth, earn salary), productivity (wealth, profit), safety (in workplace),
health and hygiene (working conditions), privacy (raise family), security (permanence against
contractual, pension, and retirement benefits), cultural and social development (leisure, hobby, and
happiness), welfare (social work), environment (anti-pollution activities), and offer opportunities
for all, according to their abilities, but without discrimination. Workers exhibiting a good work
ethic in theory should be selected for better positions, more responsibility and ultimately
promotion. Workers who fail to exhibit a good work ethic may be regarded as failing to provide
fair value for the wage the employer is paying them and should not be promoted or placed in
positions of greater responsibility. Work ethic is not just hard work but also a set of accompanying
virtues, whose crucial role in the development and sustaining of free markets.
SERVICE LEARNING :
Service-Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service
with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and
strengthen communities. Through service-learning, young people—from kindergarteners to
college students—use what they learn in the classroom to solve real-life problems. They not only
learn the practical applications of their studies, they become actively contributing citizens and
community members through the service they perform. Service-learning can be applied in a wide
variety of settings, including schools, universities, and community-based and faith-based
organizations. It can involve a group of students, a classroom or an entire school. Students build
character and become active participants as they work with others in their school and community
to create service projects in areas such as education, public safety, and the environment.
Example: University students in Michigan looked for ways to support struggling local non- profit
organizations during difficult economic times. Graduate communication students honed their
skills while providing a wide variety of public relations services with community partners,
including developing press kits and managing event coordination.
Service-learning is an education and youth development strategy that connects learning objectives
with meaningful service to the community. Students build civic, leadership, and academic skills
while strengthening communities through service. Benefits include improved academic
achievement, increased student engagement and civic skills, and stronger communities. Service
learning is a method of teaching that combines formal instruction with a related service in the
community. Advocates claim that learning is enhanced through direct application in appropriate
social contexts of principles and practices taught through formal instruction concurrent with
guided reflection of the student's experiences. Service learning is frequently implemented as youth
service. As a teaching method, service learning is best categorized as a form of experiential
education. Specifically, service learning integrates meaningful community service with instruction
and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, encourage lifelong civic
engagement, and strengthen communities for the common good. The Community Service Act of
1990, which authorized the Learn and Serve America grant program, defines service learning as:
"a method under which students or participants learn and develop through active participation in
thoughtfully organized service that is conducted in and meets the needs of a community; is
coordinated with an elementary school, secondary school, institution of highereducation, or
community service program, and with the community; and helps foster civic responsibility; and
that is integrated into and enhances the academic curriculum of the students, or the educational
components of the community service program in which the participants are enrolled; and
provides structured time for the students or participants to reflect on the service experience." [1]
Service learning offers students immediate opportunities to apply classroom learning to support or
enhance the work of local agencies that often exist to effect positive change in the community.
The National Youth Leadership Council defines service learning as "a philosophy, pedagogy, and
model for community development that is used as an instructional strategy to meet learning goals
and/or content standards." "Service learning is a method of instruction in which classroom
learning is enriched and applied through service to others” (Florida Department of Education).
CIVIC VIRTUE :
Civic virtue is the moral underpinning of how a citizen behaves and is involved in society. It is a
standard of righteous behavior in relation to a citizens’ involvement in society. A individual may
exhibit civic virtue by voting, volunteering and organizing other community activities. Without an
understanding of civic virtue, citizens are less likely to look beyond their families, friends and
economic interests. They are less likely to help others in the community, to volunteer their time, to
give to nonprofit organizations or to participate in group activity that benefits society. Related
ideas for civic virtue are citizenship, philanthropy, public good, voluntarism and social capital.
Civic virtue is the cultivation of habits of personal living that are claimed to be important for the
success of the community. Important aspects of civic virtue include polite conversation, civilized
behavior, industry and a bona fides approach to one's participation in society. Polite, or civil
conversation includes concepts of listening to what others have to say, attempting at all times to
reach agreement with fellow citizens, and remaining informed on issues of import in order to offer
relevant contributions to conversation. Civilized behavior, presenting one's self decently in attire,
language and temperament, is intended to avoid offending others, and causing disorder. Industry is
the application of one's efforts to useful endeavors which contribute to the public good, or at least
do no harm. Civilised people were expected to demonstrate a bona fides, or good faith spirit
regarding public life. A number of institutions and organizations promote the idea of civic virtue
in the older democracies.
RESPECT FOR OTHERS :
Respect for others is based on self-respect. It really is following the Golden Rule: Do unto others
as you would have others do unto you. Being a polite and courteous person makes one a rare
individual in today's world. Politeness, and a genuine concern for the rights and feelings of others
in our society seems to have slammed the door in our faces. A culture of rudeness has become a
feature of modern society. Whether it's loud cellphone conversations, line cutting, or terrible
customer service by staff people, finding politeness in the world is on the decline. You can very
easily find people who view politeness and good manners as weakness and as character flaws to
be overcome. They argue that rudeness succeeds and common courtesy is a mark of failure. They
view rudeness to others as a sign of their superiority as people, and a badge of their status. They
couldn't be more wrong. Politeness and common courtesy are more likely to achieve success, in
business and in life, than a selfish, bullying attitude.
LIVING PEACEFULLY :
Our principle of ‘Peaceful living’ centers on the ethical and sustainable application of technologies
which would aim to provide basic needs for everyone without compromising the planet’s
resources. Living in peace is about living harmoniously with yourself, others, and all sentient
beings around you. Living in peace is both an outward and an inward process. Outwardly, living
in peace is a way of life in which we respect and love each other in spite of our cultural, religious,
and political differences. Inwardly, we all need to search our hearts and minds and understand the
fear that causes the impulse to violence, for in continuing to ignore the rage within, the storm
outside will never subside.
While you will find your own meanings of peaceful existence and outward manifestations of a
peaceful life according to your beliefs and lifestyle, there are some basics underpinning living in
peace that cannot be overlooked, such as being non-violent, being tolerant, holding moderate
views, and celebrating wondrous-life. This article provides some suggestions to help you to
discover your journey to living in peace, a journey and way of life that ultimately only you can be
responsible for. Ceasing to seek power over people and outcomes in your life is the first major
step to living peacefully. Trying to control people is about seeking to impose your will and reality
on others without ever trying to see their side of things. A controlling approach to relationships
will keep you in conflict with others. Replacing a will to control with a broad approach of loving
others instead, including their faults and differences, is the way to a peaceful life.
CARING:
Caring is feeling for others. It is a process which exhibits the interest in, and support for, the
welfare of others with fairness, impartiality and justice in all activities, among the employees, in
the context of professional ethics. It includes showing respect to the feelings of others, and also
respecting and preserving the interests of all others concerned. Caring is reflected in activities
such as friendship, membership in social clubs and professional societies, and through various
transactions in the family, fraternity, community, country and in international councils.
SHARING:
Primarily, caring influences sharing. Sharing is a process that describes the transfer of knowledge
(teaching, learning, and information), experience (training), commodities (material possession)
and facilities with others. The transfer should be genuine, legal, positive, voluntary, and without
any expectation in return. However, the proprietary information should not be shared with
outsiders. Through this process of sharing, experience, expertise, wisdom and other benefits reach
more people faster. Sharing is voluntary and it can‘t be driven by force, but motivated successfully
through ethical principles. In short, sharing is charity For the humanity, sharing is a culture. The
happiness and wealth are multiplied and the crimes and sufferings are reduced, by sharing. It
paves the way for peace and obviates militancy. Philosophically, the sharing maximizes the
happiness for all the human beings. In terms of psychology, the fear, divide, and distrust between
the haves and have-nots disappear. Sharing not only paves the way to prosperity, early and easily,
and sustains it. Economically speaking, benefits are maximized as there is no wastage or loss, and
everybody gets one‘s needs fulfilled and satisfied. Commercially speaking, the profit is
maximized. Technologically, the productivity and utilization are maximized by sharing.
HONESTY:
Honesty is a virtue, and it is exhibited in two aspects namely,
• Truthfulness
• Trust worthiness.
Truthfulness is to face the responsibilities upon telling truth. One should keep one‘s word or
promise. By admitting one‘s mistake committed (one needs courage to do that!), it is easy to fix
them. Reliable engineering judgment, maintenance of truth, defending the truth, and
communicating the truth, only when it does well to others, are some of the reflections of
truthfulness. But trustworthiness is maintaining integrity and taking responsibility for personal
performance. People abide by law and live by mutual trust. They play the right way to win,
according to the laws or rules (legally and morally). They build trust through reliability and
authenticity. They admit their own mistakes and confront unethical actions in others and take
tough and principled stand, even if unpopular.
COURAGE:
Courage is the tendency to accept and face risks and difficult tasks in rational ways. Self-
confidence is the basic requirement to nurture courage. Courage is classified into three types,
based on the types of risks, namely
• Physical courage
• Social courage
• Intellectual courage.
In physical courage, the thrust is on the adequacy of the physical strength, including the muscle
power and armaments. People with high adrenalin, may be prepared to face challenges for the
mere thrill or driven by a decision to excel. The social courage involves the decisions and actions
to change the order, based on the conviction for or against certain social behaviors. This requires
leadership abilities, including empathy and sacrifice, to mobilize and motivate the followers, for
the social cause. The intellectual courage is inculcated in people through acquired knowledge,
experience, games, tactics, education, and training. In professional ethics, courage is applicable to
the employers, employees, public, and the press. Look before you leap. One should perform
Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threat (SWOT) analysis. Calculate (estimate) the risks,
compare with one’s strengths, and anticipate the end results, while taking decisions and before
getting into action. Learning from the past helps. Past experience (one’s own or borrowed!) and
wisdom gained from self-study or others will prepare one to plan and act with self-confidence,
succeed in achieving the desired ethical goals through ethical means. Opportunities and threat
existing and likely to exist in future are also to be studied and measures to be planned. This
anticipatory management will help anyone to face the future with courage.