Personal Ethics

Personal Ethics Development

According to Treviño and Nelson, ethics are “the principles, norms and standards of conduct governing an individual or organization” (Treviño & Nelson, 2007, p. 13). People are not born with a developed ethical system from individual values and morals. The acquired ethics of a person develops from the time he or she is born and continually through life. Factors influencing personal ethics include family, religion, culture, experiences, and personal reflection.

This paper will review the author’s development of ethics and established ethical system through a combination of family influence, choices, and self-evaluation and not only because of environmental impact. Personal experience proves the discussion that ethics are teachable and is dependent on more than good character (Treviño & Nelson, 2007, p. 13). A good ethical system is important to an organization as well as an individual’s life for good decision-making and success for a company.

Development of Personal Ethics

The ethical values in an individual’s life are not because of beliefs that people are born with. The environment during a person’s lifetime plays a part in developing individual character. University of Phoenix curriculum defines character as “moral actions based on duty-driven ethical principles. These include trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship (Josephson Institute, 2009).

Five factors influence personal ethics; family, religion, culture, experiences, and personal reflection (Scivicque, 2007). Although elements of life influence the development of personal ethics and continue throughout a person’s life, an individual’s parents are normally the first example of decision-making and limitations built on character.

This authors personal ethics were a result of the influence of a paternal grandmother. Born to a fourteen-year-old mother, many challenges resulted throughout childhood with few positive role models....