GEN 499 Week 2 Discussion Responses

 Discusson 2 Ethics and Moral Development

Respond to Peers: Review your classmates’ posts, and respond to at least two of your peers by Day 7. In each response, provide comments that prompt further critical thinking and insight on your classmate’s perspective on ethical values as they relate to their personal, academic, and professional lives. Each participation post should be a minimum of 75 words.

NEED TO REPLY TO THESE TWO PEERS REPLY

Reply to Kirsten Lizama

According to cognitive-developmental psychologist, Lawrence Kohlberg, there are six stages of moral and ethical development. The first stage called the Preconventional Morality stage is seen mostly in young children preschool, elementary and some junior high and high school individuals. In this stage one tends to obey in order not to get caught but given the opportunity without punishment the individual is more likely to disregard others and only think of themselves. Stage two called exchange of favors is when individual start to realize others have needs to and work toward helping others if it benefits their own need without punishment or consequences. The next stage conventional morality normally is not seen until the high school level. Individuals start to be aware of there actions and how others see their behavior in society and what constitutes the norms. Stage four individuals look for confidence in their behaviors through society’s eyes. Sometimes not realizing rules of merit can lack construct and should be change for the betterment of society. Also, in this stage rules are constraining, and inflexible Stage 5 social contract, is rarely present before college level. Individuals start to see that rules set in place are to protect society and keep order and rules can be flexible and evolve with society changes. The next stage to my surprise few people ever reach the universal ethical principle stage. At this stage we are looking at diversity and respecting other beliefs and searching for ways to live among each other with our differences. Being ethical to me means openness and understanding of other intentions even if we do not believe in their methods. One ethical dilemma that has always bothered me has happen in my personal and professional life. I find that when someone is singled out for one reason or another rather it is at work or personally everyone seems to jump on the band wagon and sometimes I feel if I do not agree than I will be singled out. I will not just agree to feel apart of something. It is just the person I am and sometimes it is not the best trait, but I believe strongly in treating other how you would like to be treated in a similar situation. A college education prepares you for problem solving and critical thinking. For example, when we are faced with ethical decisions we must be able to look at both side and come to a reasonable solution. Education makes us aware, alert and knowledgeable something that is very beneficial for high positions

 

 

McDevitt, T. M., & Ormrod, J. E. (2007). Kohlberg’s three levels and six stages of moral reasoning (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Child Development and Education, 518. Retrieved from http://www.education.com/reference/article/kohlbergs-moral-reasoning/

Reply to Charles Dandridge

Ethics and Moral Development

Explain what it means to be ethical as it relates to personal, academic, and professional growth.

When I think about what it means to be ethical, I think of key characteristics such as integrity, honesty, civic duty, and social responsibility.  The basic principle of ethical behavior as it relates to personal, academic, and professional growth is the ability to act on one’s convictions regarding right or wrong issues regardless of the resulting consequences.

 

Provide at least one ethical dilemma you have encountered and describe how the issue was resolved.

I was once asked by a supervisor to forge an employee’s signature on a document.  I immediately thought to myself how unprofessional it was for the manager to make this type of request.  I only had, maybe 30 seconds at most, to make an ethical decision whether to comply or not.  I thought about the person whose name I would be forging and the consequences of what that signature meant for that person – potential disciplinary action.  I decided to decline the request and informed the manager of the seemingly acceptable unethical practice.

 

Describe how your general education courses have influenced your ethical values.

General education courses have taught me how to view difficult and challenging issues through the lens of responsibility and to evaluate ethical judgments against moral standards.  They have shaped and refined the personal characteristics of integrity and trustworthiness.

Explain why a college-educated person might have different duties to society than someone not as educated.

A college-educated person is better equipped and prepared to recognize and solve challenging societal issues versus someone who is uneducated.  According to Hedberg (2017), “social consensus can affect moral judgments, but with critical moral reflection, students consider multiple social perspectives, critique unexamined beliefs, and better understand the cultural factors that implicitly influence their moral choices” (pg. 515 para. 2).  Acting and leading with integrity is a developed process that is one of the benefits of a well-rounded college curriculum.

Charles D.

References:

Hedberg, P. R. (2017). Guiding Moral Behavior through a Reflective Learning Practice. Journal Of Management Education, 41(4), 514-538.