Creating a Personal Code of Ethics: Values in the Real World

This essay delves into the importance of ethics in an individual's life, highlighting how personal values and cultural influences shape ethical actions. It includes a self-reflection on the influences behind the author's ethics, the ethical principles they uphold, and how they intend to define their code of conduct based on their values. The paper discusses the practical application of these ethical values in real-world scenarios, particularly through association with organizations that align with these principles, such as the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA). The author emphasizes the significance of self-integrity, honesty, trustworthiness, and an ethical approach in all activities, concluding that a strong code of conduct is essential for personal and professional success.

Running head: BUSINESS ETHICS
BUSINESS ETHICS
Name of student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Executive Summary
The aim of the study is to explain the importance of ethics in individual’s life. Individual’s
ethical actions are affected by their value system and cultures. In this report, a self-reflection
has been done such who influences my ethics in life and my development, what are the
ethical principles that I have in my life and how I will determine my code of conduct
according to my values. This paper also discusses how my ethical values can be used in real
world through my association with some organization.

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Table of Contents
1.)Background............................................................................................................................3
2.)Ethos......................................................................................................................................3
3.)Code of conduct related to my values:...................................................................................3
3.1)I will never lie to my parents or my family no matter how difficult is the situation:......4
3.2)I will always be a person my parents and friends can rely on:........................................4
3.3)I will always do what I have said:....................................................................................4
3.4)I will never change myself and always do what I think is correct:..................................4
4.)My code of conduct and real world.......................................................................................5
5.)Conclusion.............................................................................................................................5
References..................................................................................................................................6

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1.)Background
A number of reasons- culture, assumptions and beliefs, influences a person’s value
system. Culture are the beliefs and assumptions that have been followed since a long period
in the family and is passed on to generations (Namenwirth & Weber, 2016). Their culture is
based on the deontological philosopher’s ethics. My father has always taught me to take a
stand for the right things in my life. There have been many instances where he has many
offers to compromise with his value system for earning more money but he always stood for
what is correct and true in life. My mother has taught me to care for others and to always treat
others with respect and to be honest. She had to sacrifice her career as a teacher f or keeping
our family as a priority.
2.) Ethos
Because of my cultural background, I give importance to self-integrity, honesty,
trustworthiness and ethical approach towards all my activities (Fried, 2016). I always try to
do what I sat so that people can think of me as a person with strong integrity. I am true to
others and myself because my mother has taught me to do so. I trust others and people trust
me because I have always full filled all my commitments. I take decisions on the basis of
what my parents have taught me as ethical and correct. I have a few commitments in life that
I always try to fulfill: a commitment to always stand up for what is right, a commitment to
always stay by my families side in all situations- whether there are problems or happiness. I
have a commitment to never cheat or disrespect others. I have an ethical commitment to
never let my parents down and to always follow whatever they have taught in life
(Hammersley, 2015).
3.) Code of conduct related to my values:
Conduct consistent with my values of honesty are

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3.1) I will never lie to my parents or my family no matter how difficult is the
situation:
I will never lie about anything to my parents. I will tell them everything honestly so
that they can always trust me (Miller, 2017). Moreover telling the truth can save me from all
the mental issues that I will face if I lie and moreover my conscience will never allow me to
lie to my parents.
Conduct consistent with my trustworthiness
3.2) I will always be a person my parents and friends can rely on:
I will always be someone who never gossips about people’s problems just for my self-
interest. I will never talk behind peoples back. If someone has told me something because
they trust me I will never break their trust (Luhmann, 2018).
3.3) I will always do what I have said:
It is very easy to preach but it is to practice. I will never say something that I cannot
do or do something that I have never said. If I have made a commitment to someone I will
make sure that I fulfill it.
Conduct to show my ethical approach towards my actions
3.4) I will never change myself and always do what I think is correct:
I will never change myself for others. If people want to stay with me, they will have
to accept me the way I am. For this, I need to have confidence in myself.

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4.) My code of conduct and real world
I have decided to join public relations institute of Australia (PRIA) which serves the
interests of its members and requires members to adhere to ethical standards. It requires its
members to take the accountability and responsibility of their jobs (Media, 2019). I selected
this organization because their core values is a similar to mine largely. Their core values is to
deal honestly and fairly with all the clients, to avoid doing any act that goes against their
credibility and integrity. The members should not give any confidential information about
their clients, the members should not accept any form of bribery or fees from their clients and
the members should avoid any form of misrepresentation. If I become a part of the
organization than I can support its values and help the organization achieve professional
competence.
5.) Conclusion
From the above discussion it can be concluded that ethics is important for any
individual because it makes them trustworthy, honest, gives self-integrity to people. A
person’s code of conduct can help him achieve his objectives. On the basis of our core values
we can find similar organizations to work for in future.

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References
Fried, C. (2016). Medical experimentation: personal integrity and social policy. Oxford
University Press.
Hammersley, M. (2015). On ethical principles for social research. International Journal of
Social Research Methodology, 18(4), 433-449.
Namenwirth, J. Z., & Weber, R. P. (2016). Dynamics of culture. Routledge.
Miller, C. (2017). Honesty.
Luhmann, N. (2018). Trust and power. John Wiley & Sons.
Media, A. (2019). Public Relations Institute of Australia. [online] Pria.com.au. Available at:
https://www.pria.com.au/about-pria/code-of-ethics-privacy/code-of-ethics/ [Accessed
15 Apr. 2019].