Goals
1. Understand the concept of morality and its historical evolution.
2. Identify how morality applies to everyday human relationships.
3. Recognize the impact of morality in the workplace.
Contextualization
Morality is a core part of building relationships and maintaining social order. It informs people's behaviours and decisions, affecting everything from daily interactions to crucial choices in professional settings. By grasping the concept of morality, students can reflect on their own actions and the repercussions those actions can have in various contexts. For instance, in a workplace, morality is embodied in the ethical guidelines and conduct codes that employees are expected to follow, influencing everything from recruitment practices to performance assessments and marketing tactics.
Subject Relevance
To Remember!
Definition of Morality
Morality refers to the set of principles and values guiding human behaviour, helping differentiate right from wrong. These values are often shaped by cultural, religious, and social influences and can change over time and between different communities.
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Morality guides what is considered acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.
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Culture, religion, society, and history can significantly influence moral beliefs.
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Morality can change and evolve over time.
Historical Evolution of Morality
Over time, morality has transformed due to social, political, religious, and philosophical shifts. From tribal communities to contemporary societies, moral principles have adjusted to meet the specific needs and circumstances of each era.
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The moral standards of tribal societies centred around group cohesion and survival.
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Major world religions have had a profound effect on moral codes.
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Modern ethical thought and human rights continue to shape current moral perspectives.
Morality in Personal and Professional Contexts
Morality influences personal decisions and actions, as well as behaviour in professional settings. In the workplace, the formalization of morality often appears in ethics and conduct codes, which outline expected employee conduct.
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Ethics codes help create a fair and respectful workplace.
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Professional morality can affect recruitment and performance evaluations.
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Ethical workplaces typically experience greater productivity and worker satisfaction.
Practical Applications
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Tech companies create ethics codes to guide employee actions, especially in areas like data privacy and security.
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In healthcare facilities, ethics codes are critical to ensuring that all patients receive fair and respectful treatment, regardless of their background.
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Educational institutions implement ethics guidelines to direct the conduct of both teachers and students, fostering a safe and respectful learning environment.
Key Terms
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Morality: The principles and values that guide human behaviour, distinguishing right from wrong.
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Ethics: The philosophical exploration of morality, focusing on the examination and application of moral concepts.
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Moral Dilemma: A situation where an individual must choose between two morally conflicting actions, each with significant consequences.
Questions for Reflections
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How has the morality instilled in you during childhood shaped your decisions up to this point?
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Is morality universal, or does it differ across cultures and contexts? Explain your reasoning.
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When faced with a moral dilemma at work, which principles do you consider crucial for making a sound ethical choice?
Creating Your Personal Code of Ethics
To solidify your grasp of morality, you will be tasked with formulating your own personal code of ethics.
Instructions
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Grab a piece of paper and a pen.
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Consider the principles and values that mean the most to you.
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Draft at least five principles that you see as essential to guiding your daily choices and actions.
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For each principle, jot down a brief explanation of its importance to you and how you plan to apply it in your daily life.
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Discuss your personal code of ethics with a colleague, highlighting the similarities and differences between your codes.
