National Service

Training Program 1

MODULE 2: VALUES AND ETHICS

Objectives

To know the definition of what is ethics and

values.

To determine the causes of unethical behavior and

how to respond from it.
  This session focuses on the definition
Overview of ethics and values and its relevance
in developing a holistic person.
  Values can be defined as those things
that are important to or valued by
someone. That someone can be an
individual or, collectively, an
organization. One place where values
are important is in relation to vision.
 
 Values are the embodiment of what
an organization stands for, and
should be the basis for the behavior
of its members.
The Character of
Values and Ethics
  Values provide the basis for
judgments about what is important
for the organization to succeed in its
core business.
The Character
of Values and  To behave ethically is to behave in a
manner that is consistent with what
Ethics is generally considered to be right or
moral. Ethical behavior is the
bedrock or mutual trust.
The Character of Values and Ethics

 Individually or organizationally, values determine what is right

and what is wrong, and doing what is right or wrong is what
we mean by ethics. To behave ethically is to behave in a
manner consistent with what is right or moral. What does
“generally considered to be right” mean? That is a critical
question, and part of the difficulty in deciding whether or not
behavior is ethical is in determining what is right or wrong.
  Perhaps the first place to look in
determining what is right or wrong is
society. Virtually every society
makes some determination of
morally correct behavior.

The Character  In Islamic countries, a determination

of Values and of what is right or moral is tied to
religious structures.
Ethics
 In societies more secular, the
influence of religious beliefs may be
less obvious but still a key factor.
The Character of Values and Ethics
 The Ten Commandments, for many people, define what is
morally right or wrong. Societies not only regulate the behavior
of their members, but also define their societal core values.

 Experience often has led societies to develop beliefs about what

is of value for the common good
 One example is the notion of reciprocity. (“One good deed
deserves another.”)
 Another is the notion of good intent. (“A gentleman’s word
is his bond.”)
 Yet, a third is the notion of appreciation of merit in others
regardless of personal feelings. (“Give the Devil his due.”)
Causes of Unethical Behavior

INDIVIDUAL

Complexity of strategic issues obscure ethics

Competition for scarce resources/power/position

Conflicting loyalties
Causes of Unethical Behavior

GROUP

Groupthink

Presence of ideologues

Negative organizational response to dissent

There are three qualities individuals must possess to make ethical decisions:

 The first is the ability to recognize ethical issues and to

reason through the ethical consequences of decisions. The
ability to see second and third order effects, one of the
elements of strategic thinking, is very important.
 The second is the ability to look at alternative points of view,
deciding what is right in a particular set of circumstances.
This is similar to the ability to reframe.
 And the third is the ability to deal with ambiguity and
uncertainty; making a decision on the best information
available.
Ethical Responses

 Exit is the most direct response: if you can’t

live with behavior that does not meet your
own ethical standards, leave. However, exit is
not only a direct response; it is a final one, so
the personal and organizational consequences
must be considered. The most important
personal consequences are the costs. Where
do you go from there? What other options are
available? How marketable are you? Can you
afford the financial loss?
Bibliography

Del Rosario, Ed. D. (2012). Resurreccion et. al.

National Service Training Program 1. Bulacan:
St. Andrew Publishing House.
Lee, Sergio J. (2007). National Service Training
Program: 2nd Edition. Quezon City: C & E
Publishing, Inc.