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E + V + V + M = L

Written by: Andrew Campbell-Watt

Article Overview: Ethics + Virtues + Values + Morals = Life (and well-being). Why? There seems to be some confusion about the terms Ethics, Values, Virtues and Morals. Certainly Ethics and Morals are used indiscriminately and are considered interchangeable as are Virtues and Values. Yet they each have a name and therefore a purpose.

E + V + V + M = L

Ethics + Virtues + Values + Morals = Life (and well-being). Why?
There seems to be some confusion about the terms Ethics, Values, Virtues and Morals. Certainly Ethics and Morals are used indiscriminately and are considered interchangeable as are Virtues and Values. Yet they each have a name and therefore a purpose.
It may be stated that virtues are at the core of both morality and ethics. Virtues are the qualities people admire and aspire to emulate in a ‘good person’; the qualities of kindness, compassion, courage, honesty, temperance, humility, integrity and justice. A person cannot be either ethical or moral without also being virtuous. Anyone’s ethical and moral qualities together with their virtue are dependent on their set of values; their beliefs, something that is at the core of their being. Values are not just mannerisms or a set of preferences. They refer to something much deeper and more subtle, to a line that cannot be transgressed. It has been suggested that human beings as a species are neither intelligent nor creative enough to have invented morality, virtues, ethics or values; that these are innate and part of the human psyche.
In a general discussion, however, it is sometimes best to consider each term separately, even though they are interwoven and have a symbiotic relationship. They work together because to be at ease with yourself and to create and maintain a meaningful balance between the conflicting demands of work (to earn a living); family (love and building and maintaining relationships); time out for one’s self (R and R and to reflect on and assimilate the varied influences that affect your quality of life) they cannot be isolated and used or applied piecemeal.
Ethics, morals, virtues and values should be considered as facets of the same jewel – a human being who has fulfilled their potential. Each supports the other and somehow the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts.
Similarly they cannot be considered as disposable items, to be used and then discarded. Nor are they to be written up only to be kept in a drawer and dusted off when a crisis looms. They need to come from the heart. They need to be practiced daily, to become a habit of excellence. In effect they are the essence of Humanity and what it is to be a good person. And we all want to be considered good – in fact to accuse someone of not being ‘good’ is an affront, an insult.
So then:
Ethics: the core principles by which any particular person is guided.
Morals: the reasoned ability to distinguish between right and wrong, or positive and negative in relation to the actions, volitions, or character of responsible beings.
Virtues: the qualities which determine the Moral excellence of a person.
Values; the beliefs which set parameters or limits to a person’s thinking, and which are evidenced only by their actions.
Someone who is ethical has sound values, supported by appropriate virtues and moral precepts.
Someone who has high moral standards will be ethical with supporting and appropriate values and virtues. It cannot be otherwise. It is useful to consider all these as part of a whole (as was stated above), which may be shown as follows:

ETHICS.


VIRTUES. VALUES.


MORALS.


Consider them as essential “components” in a box encompassing Life. Any single “component” without all the other three present is diminished and therefore questionable.
Ethics has been deliberately positioned at the “top”, not necessarily because it is the most important, but because it is the one always on ‘display’ as it were. It is evidenced in how we treat people and other sentient beings. It shows in our behaviour and general demeanour. It is on display particularly with our relationships in the workplace arena and domestically. We cannot see into a person’s mind (virtues, values or morals) but these are all there for everyone to see with someone’s ethical (or unethical) conduct.
No one can think one thing and do another (opposite to their thoughts) and remain in their comfort zone for long without the impact of generally unforeseen consequences.
So imagine how the people are now feeling, those who packaged and sold the financial products at the centre of the current (sub-prime) financial storm that has embroiled the world? They were instrumental in causing a near catastrophe. Such activities are likely to cause stress, fear, guilt, even hatred and can make life very uncomfortable for the perpetrators, and are not conducive to a general feeling of well-being or harmony. Paradoxically, because we always hold to the core belief that we are good, any attempt to expose such activity is met with a flat denial – no one wants to be shown up to be less than their own idea of who they are. The fundamental law of life – the law of cause and effect, may be forgotten but can never be avoided.
As to the Why of Ethics, Values, Virtues and Morals, it is useful to recall that these are human attributes; that they unify people; that they promote harmony and well-being. When expressed from the heart they evoke feelings of assurance, of absolute trust, confidence and of sanguine expectation that what was agreed or promised will eventuate. Such people make life that much easier in the work place and in the home. It is a pleasure and a joy to be in their company.
CASE STUDY:
You are a manager in an organization with strong Middle Eastern connections.
You learn that the CEO has been requested to instruct the Human Resources Manager to endorse a senior staff appointment that would satisfy the Middle Eastern Connection.
You also learn that the person to be appointed is a locally born relative of the Middle Eastern Connection. The concern is that this is blatant nepotism, and that a person with better qualifications and experience (from within the organization) will be overlooked.
A number of management and staff members come to you to express their dissatisfaction with the proposed appointment. You are asked to approach the CEO to point out that what is happening will cause resentment, may even cause resignations and will have a negative impact on staff morale, and to find out what action could be taken to stop the appointment.
The CEO makes you aware that in the culture of the Middle Eastern Connection no ‘family’ member would ever do anything to dishonour the family name – particularly so in this case, as the appointee would ‘owe’ a favour. This appointment would therefore be considered as something of an ‘insurance’, to ensure that the Middle Eastern Connection’s local interests are protected and as such they would not think of it as being unethical.
You are told that there is nothing that can be done about the appointment.
What should you do?
What are your options?
Does it really matter?

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Article Tags: confusion, dishonour, ethics and morals, human attributes, relationships, stress, virtues and values, wellbeing



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