Basic HTML Version
7 I The Best Online Education System in the world
ETHICAL BEHAVIOR - THE GOOD PART OF US
Marian Baltazar
Class of 1980, University of the Philippines College of Manila
AB Political Science
Every individual has a different set of attitudes and set of standards that may either be positive or negative but
we all wanted to exhibit that kind of ethical behavior which consists of that good part of us. Apparently, we
want to beh...ave in an appropriate manner or in a right way based on the morals of our society. This is what
we refer to as ethical behavior, that is, discerning the right from the wrong; the good from the evil, and I would
surmise that all of us have undergone or is going through all of these, be it ethical or unethical behavior. Ethics
is essentially a set of rules that we live by every day, which plays a large part of our lives. Of course we all would
want to live, work, play in an ethical way, that is, live by the set of standards that are generally said to be right
and good.
Generally, we all know that there are laws written to protect us and that they are based on ethics but not all of
them are. We are then forced to practice ethical behavior, although not all ethical behavior has become a law.
An example of which is cheating as in when we cheat on our taxes, it is against the law and is an unethical
behavior. On the other hand, when you cheat while playing with some of your friends and even family
members, it is not being against the law although it is still considered as an unethical behavior. In another case,
we can take lying for instance, like when you are standing as a witness in front of the court and you lie, we
know very well that is against the law and considered as perjury. However, when we lie with our friends or
anybody else, that is not being against the law but it is still referred to as an unethical behavior.
We actually develop our own moral code, that is, our sense of what is right and wrong when we are in that
process of growing up. Oftentimes, our morals are based on what we see and observe around us. Like when a
child is brought up by parents who are prone to lying, definitely that child will also grow to lie as well. They
pretty well know that lying is not a right action but they don’t see it us an unethical behavior. Instead it has
simply become a way of life for them. In spite of what and how we are raised up with, we can still redefine or
redevelop our moral code as a grown up individual. It is probable by just trying to establish the ethical behavior
in the world or work that you are engaged in.
As we gradually learn and perfect that ethical behavior, we should then use ethics in our life and even in our
business dealings. The fact remains that it takes strong morals, a lot of courage and conviction to do what is
right. Let us not conform to the standards of this world, instead let us practice that ethical behavior which
consists of that good part of us to make this place a better place to live in.
Questions for discussion:
1. What is ethical behavior? Give an example of it.
2. What are some examples of ethical but illegal behavior?
3. What affects ethical behavior?
4. How can you differentiate ethical behavior from unethical behavior?
5. Give examples of unethical behavior.