Morality is normatively defined as “a code of conduct that, given specified conditions, would be put forward by all rational persons” (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). Throughout history, morality or rather the idea of the ‘correct’ morality has been an important topic of discussion. How do humans acquire morality? What makes humans moral? Who in a society defines morality? In every workplace, ethical and moral behavior is expected and is the norm. Both 17th century philosopher Blaise Pascal and public relations professional Patricia Parsons believe morality should be in the workplace. Pascal crafted his life’s work, Pensées, in the 17th century. The collection was written to help remove any misunderstandings or stigma of the Christian religion. Patricia Parsons wrote Ethics in Public Relations: A Guide to Best Practice in 2008. The book explores the idea of what the ethical practices in public relations are, and provides examples and trials to prove the thesis. Therefore when looking at how morality appears in society, Pascal’s workplace will be the church, and Parsons’ will be a public relations firm. Both of these places serve the public abate in different ways. This paper will explore the guiding system for moral development and how humans gain morality as they live and experience life. These two individuals could not be more different, yet both share similar views on morality. Morality is essential for a successful professional life.
To begin with, humans are driven. Born as new, humans must learn their place in life. Physically, emotionally or ethically, minds must run and be guided by something. This ‘something’ that makes humans better, and forces humans to grow and advance. Something that guides humans t...
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... is learned through life experience, through the people who raise and teach. Through these life experiences, morality morphs into a belief system one may choose to believe in. This system whether good or bad, allows for humans to follow a certain path. Without this moral belief system, the world would go into chaos. Both writers discussing the idea of morality provide an essential opinion in the world. Their arguments not only teach people how to act, but how to treat one another throughout life. Morality allows people to be at their best, by forcing individuals to be accountable for their actions, and makes a person learn from their own mistakes. Through reading both these works, it is obvious that in order to have morality in the workplace, one must first have a strong personal moral ground. Morality is necessary in order to exceed in the professional world.
Bowan, S (2007). Ethics and Public Relations. Retrieved on February 14, 2012 from : http://www.instituteforpr.org/topics/ethics-and-public-relations/
Morris defines morality as that aspect of our nature which strives for goodness, and he stresses that most people have misunderstood this dimension of human life. After searching through miles and miles of quotations, Morris came to the conclusion that most people's attitudes about ethics and morality were basically negative. That is, that morality was somehow put into place in order to prevent us from really enjoying life. They look at ethics as a restrictive form of social control. Morris believes that until we untangle ourselves from this illusion, “we will not appreciate one of the most important foundations for positive corporate spirit and sustainable success” (Morris p. 116).
To begin, “On Morality'; is an essay of a woman who travels to Death Valley on an assignment arranged by The American Scholar. “I have been trying to think, because The American Scholar asked me to, in some abstract way about ‘morality,’ a word I distrust more every day….'; Her task is to generate a piece of work on morality, with which she succeeds notably. She is placed in an area where morality and stories run rampant. Several reports are about; each carried by a beer toting chitchat. More importantly, the region that she is in gains her mind; it allows her to see issues of morality as a certain mindset. The idea she provides says, as human beings, we cannot distinguish “what is ‘good’ and what is ‘evil’';. Morality has been so distorted by television and press that the definition within the human conscience is lost. This being the case, the only way to distinguish between good or bad is: all actions are sound as long as they do not hurt another person or persons. This is similar to a widely known essay called “Utilitarianism'; [Morality and the Good Life] by J.S. Mills with which he quotes “… actions are right in the proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.';
Public relations are the practice of distributing the information between an organisation or individual and the public. The aim of PR practitioners by the client is often is to persuade stakeholders, partners, employees, investors and most importantly, the public. The practitioner’s communication stance is reaching the individuals or organisation ultimate goal. However many can examine and scrutinize public relations ethics to assert a PR problem within the industry. All PR organisations and individuals have a code of ethics of which the professionals are expected to follow. Regardless of these guidelines, ethics in individual practices seem to prove continuous and consistent violation worldwide. The James Hardie Industry, a company that is known for knowingly using products that caused thousands of people throughout Australia to grow to become sick and even resulting in death, from its products that produced massive profits is a prime example of the PR problem. However ethical communication and critically reflective practices are procedures that benefit both the public and the organisation when use correctly, opposite to the James Hardie case.
On his many adventures, Huckleberry Finn encounters numerous situations in which his morality is tested or needs to be implemented. Huck has moral dilemmas to a degree, but he figures out the answer to his questions. He also figures out that sometimes, society has it all wrong, and that at times you just have to follow your heart. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Twain reveals that what is honorable is to follow your natural moral instincts, not what society and civilization say is moral.
Friedrich Nietzsche’s “On the Genealogy of Morality” includes his theory on man’s development of “bad conscience.” Nietzsche believes that when transitioning from a free-roaming individual to a member of a community, man had to suppress his “will to power,” his natural “instinct of freedom”(59). The governing community threatened its members with punishment for violation of its laws, its “morality of customs,” thereby creating a uniform and predictable man (36). With fear of punishment curtailing his behavior, man was no longer allowed the freedom to indulge his every instinct. He turned his aggressive focus inward, became ashamed of his natural animal instincts, judged himself as inherently evil, and developed a bad conscience (46). Throughout the work, Nietzsche uses decidedly negative terms to describe “bad conscience,” calling it ugly (59), a sickness (60), or an illness (56); leading some to assume that he views “bad conscience” as a bad thing. However, Nietzsche hints at a different view when calling bad conscience a “sickness rather like pregnancy” (60). This analogy equates the pain and suffering of a pregnant woman to the suffering of man when his instincts are repressed. Therefore, just as the pain of pregnancy gives birth to something joyful, Nietzsche’s analogy implies that the negative state of bad conscience may also “give birth” to something positive. Nietzsche hopes for the birth of the “sovereign individual” – a man who is autonomous, not indebted to the morality of custom, and who has regained his free will. An examination of Nietzsche’s theory on the evolution of man’s bad conscience will reveal: even though bad conscience has caused man to turn against himself and has resulted in the stagnation of his will, Ni...
Children are born with an ability to communicate their immediate needs to their mothers, nurses or caregivers by crying or displays of other emotions. As they develop more knowledge of language they are able to point, look at objects and smile to acknowledge they are pleased with, or otherwise, what they are receiving.
I already had a high moral standard and therefore the book was unable to make a real impact on my vision of ethics. However, the book did make a good impression on me about something that’s not directly what your ethics are but how highly you value them in your life. In location 239 in the Kindle version, there is a quote from The Josephson Institute of Ethics that states, “ETHICS IS ABOUT HOW WE MEET THE CHALLENGE OF DOING THE RIGHT THING WHEN THAT WILL COST MORE THAN WE WANT TO PAY.” (Maxwell, Kindle Locations 242-243) This really caught my attention because all throughout a student’s academic life we are taught the theoretical aspects of ethics, however, once you enter the business arena the cost of following your moral code, the golden rule can be much higher.
Seawell, Buie 2010, ‘The Content and Practice of Business Ethics’, Good Business, pp. 2-18, viewed 22 October 2013, .
In conclusion, the morality tale can have many different meanings and be interpreted in many different ways. Although, it still raises questions regarding the importance of work ethics and such. Working and enjoying yourself should be regulated, no matter the opportunities. In my opinion, that is what it really is
We are currently in an era where the profession of public relations is widely viewed as being “spin doctors” and hype can often eclipse reality. Most individuals see public relations as people who manipulate the public mind, rather than tell the truth. We are often accused of distorting reality, propaganda and withholding information. With these circumstances, you could have thought that “ethical public relations” was an oxymoron. Although not everyone is in tune with today’s public relation’s world, it is critical to assert a practitioners' beliefs of ethics in the practice of public relations. Being an ethical public relations practitioner is fundamental, especially when it is your duty to build trust and enhance stakeholders’ reputations.
Olędzki, Jerzy. "Public relations without ethics will face the same fate as propaganda. Research reflections (Case study of PR associations in Poland)."
Shaw, W. H., & Barry, V. (2011). Moral Issues in Business (Eleventh ed., pp. 230-244).
Ethics, as according to Johanessen, Valde, & Whedbee (2008, p. 1) is a study that argues what should be the grounds principles for right and wrong human behaviour. There are public relations scholars from Kruckeberg (1998) have made a point to relate universal ethical values as professional values. It is therefore necessary to integrate these values into the public relations profession. The Institute of Public Relations Singapore (IPRS) has supported this in their code of ethics. A principal stated that, “A member shall conduct his professional activities with respect for the public interest and the interest of the profession.” This means that every decision and strategy that the public relations practitioner should account for their employee, client or community. However, a report done by
As mentioned earlier, ethical business communication takes different forms, such as management of staff and employees to suppliers and customers. A wide range of writing exists with the significance of ethics in business communication; most disappointments in business credit to the absence of morals in their business operation, and affirm that ethics is the basic achievement of authoritative development and achievement elements. It's basic as building associations with partners and utilizing moral practices. The believability of the association assumes a part in guaranteeing productivity. It can be said that ethics are a vital segment in business achievement. Since business contacts is likewise the center of business procedures, then, ought to be joined morals in business correspondence procedure to make certain long haul gainfulness and great relations with the proprietors of hobbies. Janet and Chaney (2012) mentioned out that there is a direct correlation between ethical business communication and customer loyalty. Ethical business communication plays a role in the development of a loyal customer base because of the ethical manners of the company when it comes to communications command. Ethical business communication helps to create a positive image of the organization in the workplace, which helps in attracting