HUMAN VALUES AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

Dr. Megha Virmani Arya

1. What are human values?

Values decide the standard of behavior. Some universally accepted values are freedom
justice and equality. Other principles of values are love, care, honesty, integrity, self
respect.

2. What are ethical values?

Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring is ethical values

3. Distinguish values from ethics and culture.

Values are mainly related to individuals and since they are related to justice, they
remain the same for everyone. E.g. truth, honesty, empathy, self-respect. Values do not
change from individual to individual. Ethics is common to a group of individuals; the
group may be religious or professional. Ethics is mostly based on some code or law
and judgment of any action is based on code of conduct or law. Ethics change from
individual to individual Culture commonly refers to conduct of a group. E.g system of
worship, marriage. It may differ from society to society, nation to nation or religion to
religion.

4. What is 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.

5. Define work ethics

By one’s work one cannot harm others. Any worker cannot escape accountability.
Worker has the moral responsibility to see that no other person’s right, private or
freedom is impaired or transgressed.

6. What is service learning?

Service learning tells that one has moral responsibility to increase the desirable effects
and to decrease the harmful effects. Any service should increase the desirable result.

7. Mention some civic virtues?

Good citizen demand civic virtue. It is the principle of not harming the
surroundings .it also includes living peacefully, respect for others, protecting the
environment and being normally and ethically good.
8. Write short notes on caring and sharing.
Caring is the essence of moral life. Caring involves feelings, relationship, contends
with other persons and protecting others and causing least damage to others. Sharing
means sharing of feelings, ideas thoughts, resources and profits. Sharing is always
mutually beneficial. Sharing morally acceptable feelings, resources and materials is a
value.

9. Write notes on honesty.

Any human being should imbibe honesty-honesty in acts, honesty in speech and
honesty in beliefs. Honesty is the fundamental virtue in human relationship even
though in may be difficult to follow some times.

10. What is courage as a value?

Courage implies self respect and governs confrontations with danger and risk. It isnot
excessive rashes or cowardice, but it is the middle ground. Taking calculated risks and
boldness in facing crises are the hallmarks of courage as a human value. It defines the
mental make up of an individual in taking bold decisions even under adverse
situations

11. Define co-operation.

Co-operation means extending help to others, for a good cause. Co-operation may be
through an idea, a suggestion, an assistance or physical work which extends to others
for common benefit.

12. Define empathy.

Empathy means putting self in a position of someone else and thinking as the later
and reasoning suitable action.

13. Define spirituality. Spirituality raises a man above the materialistic world into a realm
where he seeks peace and real happiness.

14. Define Integrity?

Integrity is the bridge between responsibility in private and professional life.

15. Define Compromise?

In a negative sense it means to undetermined integrity by violating one‟s fundamental
moral principles. In a positive sense, however, it means to settle differences bymutual
concessions or to reconcile conflicts through adjustments in attitude and conduct.

16. Give the two aspects of Honesty?

Truthfulness – meeting responsibilities concerning truth-telling.
 Trustworthiness – Meeting responsibilities concerning trust.

17. Differentiate Self-respect and Self-esteem?

Self-respect: It is a moral concept; refers to the virtue properly valuing oneself.
Self-esteem: It is a psychological concept; means having a positive attitude toward
Oneself, even if the attitude is excessive or otherwise unwarranted.

18. What are Human values? Explain briefly. Values are the rules by which we make
decisions about right and wrong, should and shouldn't, good and bad. “Emotional
beliefs in principles regarded as particularly favourable or important for the
individual.”
Types of Values: (a) Right conduct, (b) Peace (c) Truth, (d) Love, (e) Nonviolence.

(a). Right conduct :

(i) Self-Help Skills: Care of possessions, diet, hygiene, modesty, posture, self-
reliance, and tidy appearance.
(ii) Social Skills: Good behavior, good manners, good relationships, helpfulness, No
wastage and good environment.
(iii) Ethical Skills: Code of conduct, courage, dependability, duty, efficiency,
ingenuity, initiative, perseverance, punctuality, resourcefulness, respect for all.

(b). PEACE: Attention, calmness, concentration, contentment, dignity, discipline,

equality, equanimity, faithfulness, focus, gratitude, happiness, harmony, humility,
inner silence, optimism, patience, reflection, satisfaction, self-acceptance, self-
confidence, self-control, self-discipline, self-esteem, self-respect, sense control,
tolerance, and understanding

(c). TRUTH: Accuracy, curiosity, discernment, fairness, fearlessness, honesty,

integrity (unity of thought, word, and deed), intuition, justice, optimism, purity, quest
for knowledge, reason, self analysis, sincerity, sprit of enquiry, synthesis, trust,
truthfulness, and determination

(d). LOVE: Acceptance, affection, care, compassion, consideration, dedication,

devotion, empathy, Forbearance, forgiveness, friendship, generosity, gentleness,
humanness, interdependence, kindness, patience, patriotism, reverence, sacrifice,
selflessness, service, sharing, sympathy, thoughtfulness, tolerance and trust

e) Non-Violence:
(a) Psychological: Benevolence, compassion, concern for others, consideration, forbearance,
forgiveness, manners, happiness, loyalty, morality, and universal love
(b) Social: Appreciation of other cultures and religions, brotherhood, care of environment,
citizenship, equality, harmlessness, national awareness, perseverance, respect for property,
and social justice.
Evolution of Human Values
The human values evolve because of the following factors:
1. The impact of norms of the society on the fulfilment 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).

19. Explain Morals, Values and Ethics.

Morals - A lesson that can be derived from a story or experience.
Morals are the rules that govern which actions are right and which are wrong. Morals can be
for all of society or an individual‟s beliefs. Sometimes a moral can be gleaned from a story or
experience.
The Ten Commandments are the basis for many of society’s morals:
1. Do not have any gods before me
2. Do not make for yourself a graven image
3. Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy
5. Honor your father and mother
6. Do not kill
7. Do no commit adultery
8. Do not steal
9. Do not bear false witness against your neighbour
10. Do not covet your neighbors wife or possessions
Values: Values are the rules by which we make decisions about right and wrong, should and
shouldn't, good and bad. They also tell us which are more or less important, which is useful
when we have to trade off meeting one value over another.
Ethics is a branch of philosophy that involves systematizing, defending and recommending
concepts of right and wrong conduct, often addressing disputes of moral diversity. Ethics
describes a generally accepted set of moral principles. Morals describes the goodness or
badness or right or wrong of actions. Values describe individual or personal standards of what
is valuable or important. Ethical values are Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness,
caring is ethical values. 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. In ethics, the focus is to study and apply the principles and practices, universally.
20. Explain the term Integrity. Integrity:
The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Adherence to moral and
ethical principles: Soundness of moral character; Honesty. Integrity is defined as the unity of
thought, word and deed (honesty) and open mindedness. It includes the capacity to
communicate the factual information so that others can make well-informed decisions. It is
generally a personal choice to uphold oneself to consistently moral and ethical standards. In
ethics, integrity is regarded by many people as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of
one's actions.
Types: Personal integrity, Professional integrity, Artistic integrity, and Intellectual integrity.
Moral integrity is defined as a virtue, which reflects a consistency of one‟s attitudes,
emotions, and conduct in relation to justified moral values.
21. Explain Work Ethics.
Work ethic: Work ethic is a value based on hard work and diligence. Capitalists believe in the
requirement of hard work and its ability to enhance character. Work ethics is defined as a set
of attitudes concerned with the value of work, which forms the motivational orientation. 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.
22. Factors That Demonstrate a Strong Work Ethic:
Integrity, Sense of Responsibility, Emphasis on Quality, Discipline, and Sense of Teamwork.
23. Five Characteristics of a Good Work Ethic:
Reliability, Dedication, Productivity, Cooperation, and Character
24. Explain Service Learning.
Service Learning: The technical trade practices. Community engagement. The service
learning is a methodology falling under the category of experiential education. It is one of the
forms of experiential learning and community service opportunities.
25. Explain CIVIC VIRTUE.
Civic virtues are the moral duties and rights, as a citizen of the village or the country or an
integral part of the society and environment. Civic virtues are divided into four categories:
1. Civic Knowledge 2. Self-Restraint 3. Self-Assertion 4. Self-Reliance

26. Explain Respect for others.

Respect is a positive feeling of admiration or deference for a person. Respect can be a
specific feeling of regard for the actual qualities of the one respected. It can also be conduct
in accord with a specific ethic of respect. Treating people with respect makes your world a
nicer place to live in, whether it's at home, at school, or out in your community. Don't insult
people or make fun of them.
27. Explain Living Peacefully.
To live peacefully, one should start install peace within (self). Charity begins at home. Then
one can spread peace to family, organization where one works, and then to the world,
including the environment.
Only who are at peace can spread peace. You cannot gift an article which you do not possess.
The essence of oriental philosophy is that one should not fight for peace. It is oxymoron. War
or peace can be won only by peace, and not by wars ! One should adopt the following means
to live peacefully, in the world
28. Explain Self- Confidence, Character and Spirituality.
Self- Confidence: Certainty in one‟s own capabilities, values, and goals. These people are
usually positive thinking, flexible and willing to change. They respect others so much as they
respect themselves.
Character: To determine the ideals.
Spirituality: Spirituality is a way of living that emphasizes the constant awareness and
recognition of the spiritual dimension (mind and its development) of nature and people, with
a dynamic balance between the material development and the spiritual development.
29. Explain Stress Management.
Stress management refers to the wide spectrum of techniques and psychotherapies aimed at
controlling a person's levels of stress, especially chronic stress, usually for the purpose of
improving every day functioning. Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to
the ever-increasing demands of life. Surveys show that many Americans experience
challenges with stress at some point during the year.