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Christian Ethics

First of all the notion of Christian ethics should be defined. Christian ethics or moral teachings of Christianity, determines the moral compass of human behavior. Human behavior based on Christian ideas about the nature and destiny of man, his relationship with God. Christian ethics can be called a theory of Christian action. Ethics of Christianity Expressed in the Christian ethos, a certain style of life, diverse in its manifestations and peculiar  of individuals and large social groups of Christians. For me, ethics is limited to human relationships, with a view to equip the society so that all its members with a diversity of interests not to upset each other, but only the joy, and so that everyone can develop the right attitude to itself and its role in specific situations. [1]

Throughout my life, I try to follow the moral principles taught by my parents and chosen by myself. I had not any religious upbringing, but think I know how to differ good and bad. As morally and ethically educated person I am able to keep such destructive emotions such as aggression, greed, boundless self-assertion, and try to guide them to safety to the public channel. All my principals that I follow I tried to put into the list and have got the following:

• concern for the welfare of others;
• respect the rights of others to be independent;
• reliability and honesty;
• voluntary submission to the law (with the exception of civil disobedience);
• fairness;
• rejection of an unfair advantage over others;
• philanthropy, the opportunity to benefit;
• prevention of harmful consequences.

For example, professional associations have codes of ethics rules, which specify the desired behavior within the context of professional practice, such as medicine, law, accounting, engineering or forestry. I understand that these recorded in writing setting determine the default behavior, which is usually based on the principles of professional ethics. I have next ones:

• impartiality and objectivity;
• honesty, complete exposure;
• confidentiality;
• due diligence (duty of care);
• precise execution of professional duties;
• avoid potential or apparent conflicts.

Lets’ analyze the notion of family ethics. In my understanding and according to my vision the concept of ethics in relation to the family used in the sense of morality, family, morality, and is regarded as an estimate breeding family members individually, and the moral climate of the family as a group. I think the brightest example of the qualities that I try to bring up is reflected in situation of family conflict. According to my principles I try never figure out family relationships with outsiders; make a stand for my loved ones, do not tell anybody about the facts, defaming my family, trying to stop a fit of anger, not to generalize and exaggerate, try to concede, not to clash over trifles.

From the viewpoint of Unification, the relationship of people in society are the projection of the relationship between family members at home. For example, if there is a difference between people under the age of twenty or more years, their relationship must be characterized by love of older to younger, as their children, and the younger should respect their elders, as their parents. If the age difference is ten years or less, leading to love the younger men as their younger brothers or sisters, and younger - to respect their elders, as their older brothers or sisters. From this perspective, the family ethic is the foundation for all types of ethics. In transferring the family ethics in society, she turns into a social ethic, in transferring it to the corporation, it becomes a corporate ethics, in transferring it to the state it becomes a state ethics. Thanks to this, the true values have affirmed (virtues). In the state public figures must love his people, and people should respond to them respectfully. At school, teachers should love their children and their work, and students - respect their teachers. At the societal level senior must protect younger and younger - to respond to them respectfully. At the level of heads of institutions or enterprises should have a good lead subordinates, and subordinates - well follow the instructions of superiors. The love between brothers and sisters in the family, transferred to society, the state and the world, becomes the love of colleagues, neighbors, fellow citizens and humanity in general, in this love I try to  embody such horizontal values (virtues), as a peace-loving, tolerance, a sense of duty, loyalty, courtesy, humility, compassion, cooperation, service to the cause and understanding. However, today's society, the state and the world thrown into chaos. The reason for this is the weakening of the ethics of family relations, serving as the basis for all types of ethics. Consequently, the path to salvation lies through the public approval of a new family ethic, a new view of it. To accomplish this, we can save from destruction of the family, can save the world.[3]

As I am a student of medical college (the clinical department), I can affirm that the ethics has its reflection on the process of teaching and studying at the college. Teacher on the faculty is also a physician. Therefore, what kind of physician he appears before the students, largely determines the ethics of the teaching process. There occur simultaneously paternalistic and partner relationships. Paternalistic - because the teacher gives what he knows, teaches skills that are owned. Ethical conflicts do not arise if the teacher knows a lot and can teach. In today's higher medical school it is becoming increasingly difficult to do. Each teacher comes out of this predicament in their own way: by virtue of his education, mastered teaching ethics, temperament and character. Learning process may be accompanied by violation of certain principles and norms of ethics and law.

Another factor that reflects ethic norms in my studying is learning a subject of ethics on business classes. I have noticed that particular business ethics course shows us that this discipline can be “done” separately from management, finance or other sphere of business or studying. To my mind such idea\theory seems to be totally wrong. Every theory of business, we are familiar with during the learning process, contains elements and assumptions about what the role of humans in this theory, why it is necessary and what is a good result. Finally we can conclude that there are no ethically neutral theories or situations, they always contain some principles – moral or immoral, and they can never be free of them. So, during my classes I try to differentiate what is good or bad, how can I be successful together with my principles and Christian ethics norms. I believe I should follow the rules set in place by society (for the most part) and follow my conscious. I think most people know right and wrong, it is just a matter what they choose to do. Therefore it is wrong to think that in the learning process and in the business we can be taught any theory, and then add to them moral and ethical standards. They are already installed and we are entitled to choose one for ourselves in accordance with our beliefs. On our business ethics class we are taught basic qualities such as human dignity on one hand, and that any person is the part of the mechanism which provides profit and is a part of successful deal. [2]

I think it is appropriate to say about professional ethics as a part of the process of studying ethics. Human activities are so diverse that the universal moral standards are often inadequate to regulate human behavior in specific areas of activity. Professional ethics refers to the implied or explicitly defined set of rules or codes of conduct that guide decision-makers in their various professional roles. This kind of role morality often provides beneficial effects on the resolution of ethical disputes arising in the course of professional activities. Most ethical dilemmas associated with different types of professional ethics, include some kind of contradiction between functionally differentiable and universal ethics. I have summarized my general principles and norms, based on degree of my beliefs:

• there is an ethical scale of human actions. Actions are good and bad, worthy and unworthy. Quality of a person is determined by what and how he's doing. Anyone who behaves with dignity, and respect is commendable, one who behaves in an unworthy manner is worth of censure, resentment and contempt;
• the good is natural and normal, the evil is random and unnatural. A decent man behaves adequately not because he is forced to some external factors, or hoped to receive from it any benefit, but simply because the opposite is unnatural and disgusting;
• there is justice. For good to yourself you should render the good, for evil - evil. Recompense good for evil (i.e. charity) is possible, but not as a rule, but as an exception to the rule. When applied to power relations: a violation of the law must be followed by punishment;
• there is a difference between "my" and "others". My (own family, own people, own country) - it is something for which I am responsible, something that I must take care, having the duty to protect first and foremost, what is required to give preference to the "others".

If we speak about the community, I believe that basic ethic norms here are: allowed everything that is not directly violating the rights of others; the rights of all people are equal. I try to follow them trough whole my life. Now educated man is a rarity in our daily lives, especially among young people who aspire only to the visual appeal. And yet these people are, and they are needed members of any company. Indeed, morally and spiritually strong person is very uncommon.

To achieve maximum results and to become well-mannered person I learned from childhood. From the childhood parents brought me a sense of patriotism, love of family and, of course, good taste. This is best taught by own example that they did. In later years I took up self-education. I believe that self-education is the way to the formation of character, conscious development of valuable human qualities, and desire for self-education occurs only when there is a desire to achieve something, be useful to society, to become a person. The emphasis is on self-development, which leads, on the one hand, to achieving personal goals, and on the other hand, to "non-consumptiveness" towards others. Of course all the Christian imperatives amplified: "do not kill", "do not steal", "Do not lie," "sympathize and help others." And these basic facilities will not be violated in the name of God. I believe that people who live in my community are only looking out for themselves and I will do anything to get ahead, trying hard not to be involved with the community. I think the important thing for a modern society is the freedom of man and condemnation of violence and intolerance. Unlike religion, where justification for violence in the name of God is possible, modern morality rejects any violence and intolerance. Traditional society simply overwhelmed with immorality and lack of spirituality, including stringent violence against women and children, all dissenters and "violators of tradition." Modern morality requires a person to develop and achieve success with own efforts. But it does not say how to do it, only encouraging people to permanent seeking, to overcoming themselves and the voltage of their forces. Instead, modern morality gives a person the feeling that he was the creator of the future and one of the builders of himself and the entire world. In addition, self-development, increasing of professionalism leads to the attainment of wealth, gives prosperity in this life. Undoubtedly, modern morality destroys many senseless rules and prohibitions, and in this sense makes life easier and more enjoyable.

But at the same time modern morality imposes tough-to-person claim to be the person itself rather than go on about their own animal instincts or gregarious. This requires a manifestation of moral reason, but not primitive emotions such as aggression, revenge, and desire to subjugate others. And it is not easy just being tolerant, to overcome in yourself personal and public facilities. [4]

As far as I believe in free will, morality, responsibility, and that man was created for interpersonal relationships, I make three assumptions:

1) the person is responsible to God
2) he is responsible to society
3) he is responsible to those who currently are in the relationship (to family or single person).

Direct connection of ethics with the practice of life is clearly seen in the so-called professional ethics, which is a system of moral claims to professional activities of man, as was pointed earlier. One of the types of professional ethics is the ethics of business relationships. It emerged relatively late on the basis of the total labor morale. The business ethics takes place in the practice of business. It includes the ethics of management (management ethics), ethics of business communication, ethics of behavior, etc. I see two main viewpoints on the relation of universal ethical principles and business ethics:

1) the rules of conventional morality to business does not include or refer to a lesser extent.
2) business ethics based on universal ethical standards (to be honest, do no harm, keep one's word, etc.) that are specified in the light of a specific social role of business in society.

Most of the tenets and norms that underlie the ethical culture of the modern economy, modern moral attitude toward work and business have its roots in the Protestant ethic. During the Reformation, the Western European countries have experienced important spiritual revolution, the essence of which was a new understanding of labor and wealth. According to representations of the ideologues of the Reformation of Luther and Calvin, work is not punishment, but divine vocation, destiny of man. The purpose of work is not redemption of sin and salvation from the sin of idleness, but the acquisition and multiplication of wealth, the accumulation of property, and the pursuit of profit. Rethinking the role of labour, along with the installation for maximum profit, financial success led to a new assessment of the role of property and wealth in human life. In the Protestant ethic property is important as a basis and foundation of individual liberty.[2]

Many businessmen believe that their business can be considered as a concretization of the principles of Christian doctrine and Christian precepts. However, the rapid development of South-East Asia has clearly shown that, although the basis of people's lives in the East very different religious teachings and moral values of the market economy in general are common to all capitalist countries, irrespective of religious employers. Generally accepted ethical standards throughout the world are considered compliance with the sovereign immunity of private property, respect for the law, loyalty to a given word, the cult of fair competition, participation in charity events, providing credit, based on trust; scruples and concern for own reputation and the reputation of the firm, etc. I believe that independent choice of ethical standards and their degree of compliance in the business is a private affair of each individual. The problem of business ethics is now becoming more urgent. I will try to follow respect and trust of members of the company to each other based on social responsibility, transparency and good management. Subject of labor is central to Catholic social thought, as Church believes the work being central category of mankind. The reflection of the work of God is the work of people. Ethics of labor is that man finds his own dignity, strengthens the family and society. I strongly believe this thesis and hope that I will stay unshakeable in my principles.

References

      Jerry Fleming. Profit at Any Cost? Baker Books, 2003.
      Larry Burkett, Nelson Reference. Business by the book: The Complete Guide Of Biblical Principles For The Workplace. Updated edition, 1998.
      O.F. Williams and J. W. Houck. Full value: Cases in Christian business ethics, San Francisco, CA: Harper & Row, 1978.
      Todd Albertson. The Gods of Business: The Intersection of Faith and the Marketplace. Trinity Alumni Press, 2007.

 

 

 

 

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