Write a two part paper. In the first part, outline your own Personal Code of Ethics by following the instructions below. In the second part, summarize the Code of Ethics of your profession, analyze it for its strengths and weaknesses, and then apply the professional Code of Ethics to a case study in that profession.
A. My Personal Code of Ethics
1. My Value System: Hierarchy of Values: Create a list of what you value most in life in order of their priority of importance to you, and explain why each is a value in your life. For example, family: My family gives me strength and comfort, etc. Career: I love to realize my potential in a field of work that I find interesting and challenging.
2. My Moral Character: Do I think I have good moral character? Answer this question by including your idea of integrity, the virtues that you aspire to and practice, and the moral principles that you try to follow. For example, you may try to practice honesty, fairness, kindness, courage and friendliness in your life. And you also may hold the principles of trying to produce the greatest good for the greatest number or doing the right thing based on what you think all persons should do in the same situation.
3. The Value of Ethics in My Life: What is the value of ethics in your life? That is, do you think you could live a happy life without trying to be ethical? Why or why not? Explain.
4. Please discuss one of the ethical theories we have learned in class this semester and explain how it might help you make ethical decisions in the future.
B. A Professional Code of Ethics
1. Choose a Code of Ethics from your area of interest in your present work or future career and summarize this code.
2. Analyze the Code of Ethics you have chosen to determine what you think are its strengths and weaknesses. Explain why for both.
3. Choose a case study from your workplace or future profession and apply your Personal and Professional Code of Ethics to this case to help you determine what you think is the right ethical decision and right thing to do. Follow the "ABCD Guideline to Ethical Decision Making" in doing so.