Personal ethics is an individual’s belief about morality and what is right and wrong, separate from business or legal ethics. It can be influenced by religion, social conditioning, or personal motivation. The origin of ethics is debated, with some arguing it comes from God, evolution, or social learning. Personal ethics can affect all areas of life and can be motivated by serving a personal god, humanitarian interests, or benefiting the individual.
Personal ethics is a category of philosophy that determines what an individual believes about morality and what is right and wrong. This is usually distinguished from business ethics or legal ethics. These branches of ethics come from outside organizations or governments, not from the conscience of the individual. These branches of ethics occasionally overlap. Personal ethics can affect all areas of life, including family, finances and relationships.
There is some disagreement about the origin of ethics. Some philosophers use man’s moral sense to argue for the existence of God. These philosophers generally agree that a divine power instilled personal morality in mankind, creating a basic universal system of right and wrong.
Evolutionists could explain humanity’s personal ethics through the survival of the fittest. They could teach that a species that did not value life might have gradually killed itself, while a species with an ethics system that frowns on violence and murder would have a greater chance to reproduce and evolve, thus passing on its peaceful ethic to the new generation. . Evolutionists might conclude that modern humanity now genetically inherits the ability to discern between rights and wrongs that benefit the community.
Other philosophers argue that ethics are not inherent at all and that children learn right and wrong solely from social conditioning. This could be the cause of the different personal ethics found around the world. These philosophers typically suggest that a person’s ethics are learned from families, friends, and teachers. Some ethics could also be adapted from individual experiences.
The purpose of personal ethics is often debated. Ideas can range from pleasing a personal god to creating a thriving community to learning the best way to please yourself. Religion inspires much of ethics. Many devoted followers are willing to adhere to a specific moral system on faith alone.
Others are motivated by humanitarian interests. This personal ethic can generate lofty goals. Some people shape their actions and priorities to end world hunger, slow global warming, or encourage world peace. Humanitarian efforts can also be more subtle, such as random acts of kindness for a neighbor or volunteering as a tutor. Sometimes different motivations can merge. A religious person might make personal ethical choices that simultaneously please his god and at the same time help his community.
Another possible motivation for personal ethics is to serve the individual. Philosophers might argue that a child will learn to share, to tell the truth, and to work hard because he sees that these actions benefit him. For example, when a child chooses to break the rules of a game, he creates conflict and builds a barrier between himself and his peers. On the other hand, the child who plays by the rules enjoys friendship and intimacy with his peers, to his own advantage.
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