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Human Dignity Paper
School of Business, Liberty University
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Abstract
The thought of human dignity has had ultimate importance during the cultural expansion of
human civilization. It signifies all people are equal, additionally, dignity symbolizes an
existential belief. All human being has a dignity which does not have to be earned. It is an
inviolable right of all human beings to self-respect and respect from others, along with the
capacity to establish an individual’s values and beliefs of living and to live accordingly. Human
dignity does not merely imply the right for individuals to be regarded with dignity, although as
well the responsibility of individuals to behave and to deal with others with dignity. Individuals
need to vigorously donate to maintaining principles of dignified behavior in and throughout
businesses and social interaction. Yet, this behavior is learning which ensues through teachers’
incentives and punishments according to Behaviorism, a motivational theory. This notion does
encompass ethical and legal foundations and is illustrated in the bible with prime examples.
Though behaviorism and human dignity center frameworks do not connect, the examination
discusses the foundations of this concept specifically in the workplace, examples found within
scriptures, and its relationship with human dignity.
Keywords: human dignity, behaviorism, ethical, legal, Christianity
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Human Dignity Paper
Motivation theory is the study of acknowledging what drives an individual to work
regarding a certain purpose or result. It applies to all of the public however is specifically
valuable to business and management (Cook & Artino, 2016). For instance, if a motivated
worker is further productive, then a further productive worker is further valuable. A study has
demonstrated content, motivated workers may raise productivity by about 12% (Güss et al.,
2017). Motivation is a temperament filled with vitality, eagerness, and it is a drive pushing an
individual to work with a top-level of dedication and emphasis despite whether matters are
against them. It converts into a specific form of human behavior in which motivation theories
deliver a substantial insight into how individuals behave and what motivates them (Overskeid,
2018).
The Human Dignity-Centered framework is an abstract outline from natural law and
Catholic social doctrine teaching in which business administrators may implement to construct a
culture of humanistic management. This structure fills the space between time-tested Christian
standards and current business administrators’ specific demands (Mea & Sims, 2019). In due
course, the beliefs and benefits the context engages have a reason for encouraging superiority,
since ethical habits and involvement in human welfare leave a groundwork for enduring business
success. It is embodied as a support to aid leaders to form a culture in their business where
human dignity is of the highest attention (Kadivar et al., 2018). The Human Dignity-Centered
framework centers on valuing the transcendent dignity of the human person as an object of
society-at-large and businesses. The structure is a model business administrator may address
when they pursue to become further ethical and instill humanistic management procedures. The
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outline permits leaders to reference it when they try to recognize in what way ethics and
moralities influence leadership challenges (Kadivar et al., 2018).
As soon as professionals grow an ethical viewpoint on the thought of human dignity
within a business, they commonly take a motivational outlook. This view is advantageous since
it will assist the business to expand the mechanisms required to steer clear of circumstances in
which the business cannot comply with human dignity (Güss et al., 2017). Behaviorism, one of
the motivational theories, will be further discussed along with its ethical and legal foundations
and biblical scriptures incorporated into this theory. Furthermore, the Human Dignity-Centered
Framework will be considered and whether there is a connection to Behaviorism (Overskeid,
2018).
Ethical and Legal Foundations of Behaviorism Theory
What is Behaviorism Theory?
Behaviorism, as well recognized as behavioral psychology, is a theory of learning
founded on the thought in which all behaviors are obtained employing conditioning.
Conditioning follows through interaction with the environment (Araiba, 2019). Behaviorists
consider responses to environmental stimuli from behaviors. Along with this philosophy,
behavior may be analyzed in a methodical and observable way irrespective of internal
psychological conditions (Aydın et al., 2018). Conforming to this perception, merely observable
behavior must be studied since thoughts, sentiments, and feelings are overly subjective.
Behaviorists consider all individuals may in theory be instructed to carry out any task,
disregarding genetic circumstances, behavior qualities, and inner feelings, within the limits of
their physical abilities. It only needs the proper conditioning (Overskeid, 2018).
Behaviorism and Ethical Foundations
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Behavioral ethics is the learning of why individuals make the ethical and unethical
choices they do. Its ideas evolve from examinations in areas like behavioral psychology,
cognitive science, and evolutionary biology (Overskeid, 2018). Behavioral ethics is distinct from
traditional philosophy. Rather than centering on how individuals have to behave, behavioral
ethics investigates why individuals behave as they do and understand the motivation. Studies in
behavioral ethics discover individuals are nowhere near fully logical. Many ethical decisions are
done instinctively, through emotion, and not after cautiously studying a situation (Cook &
Artino, 2016). Commonly, individuals who make unethical choices are instinctively motivated as
a result of internal biases, such as the self-serving bias, through external influences, similar to the
pressure to comply, and through considerations, they do not regard. Hence, behavioral ethics
pursues to comprehend why even individuals with the best aims may make bad ethical decisions
(Güss et al., 2017).
Ethical Behaviorism in the Workplace
Cases of ethical behaviors in the workplace incorporate abiding by the organization's
policies, efficient communication, taking responsibility, liability, professionalism, trust, and
respect for coworkers. These standards of ethical behaviors make sure of the highest output at
work and can be critical for work development (Aydın et al., 2018). At the beginning of an
employee agreement, firms can require the worker to sign numerous papers, comprising the firm
policies and guideline contract. In addition, the worker can be provided a manual helping them
as a guide (Patey et al., 2018). Certain general regulations are lateness, unsuitable apparel, and
language. Owing to the enthusiasm of having a new position, several workers do not accurately
follow these policies and can result in suspending them in the future. Thus, it is crucial new
workers accurately follow these guidelines and rules and not defer them (Patey et al., 2018).
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Good communication is extraordinarily essential to prevent confusion while handling matters in
the workplace. Communicating successfully can represent distinct ideas to individuals at
different moments. Efficient communication can similarly have a worker violating one of the
policies of the organization without getting punished for it. For instance, a worker notifying their
manager they will be tardy as a result of a sudden situation can be pardoned if the case is well
communicated (Araiba, 2019).
It is valuable for workers to continuously accept responsibility for choices made both
independently and in a group. This is, in reality, a leadership characteristic all workers need to
present who are giving thought to begin an executive role in the future (Grim & Grim, 2019).
Reasonably, workers might choose to protect their position and are then fearful of taking
responsibility for a specific case. Nevertheless, they must not allow this concern to take them out
of the group. For instance, if a communications team proposes a marketing plan for a business
and it does not succeed, the team members are to cooperatively accept responsibility for this loss
(Patey et al., 2018). It is not acceptable to have members unfolding they were not counted in the
decision-making course. If the scheme had come to be reversed, they would not have voiced the
same. Liability is additionally a prime characteristic of a worker. One of the events which can
deceive a skillful and reliable person is the absence of responsibility as it can leave a supervisor
contemplating if an employee does not support the business's assignment or take them as a liar
resulting in an employment loss in the future (Winter & Winter, 2018). For instance, at the start
of every year, a determined sum of funds is distributed to every department. A supervisor is
expected to manage in what way this money is spent. If at the close of the year, the supervisor
cannot form a report of by what means the funds were spent, they can then be presumed of
appropriating business assets (Patey et al., 2018).
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There are professional criteria for all a worker does in the workplace. The use of informal
terms in a workplace is incompetent. These principles must be respected and be relevant to all
components of a worker's action in the workplace. This must comprise the manner they speak,
the type of work they provide, and their connection with partners and clients (Araiba, 2019). A
worker must not carry out anything which can make their manager lose confidence as they trust
employees to get work accomplished on time. Details such as forgetting deadlines frequently or
presenting work having to be modified repeatedly will oppose a promotion. It can leave the
manager to not offer projects to fulfill in the future (Patey et al., 2018). Furthermore, it does not
matter if a person is discussing with a trainee, a junior, or a gatekeeper, they must each be treated
with esteem. As an executive, treating coworkers with respect assists in advancing efficiency.
Providing beneficial critique and stating kind expressions to them even when they are not
capable to carry out a task will assist them to try to perform well in the future (Grim & Grim,
2019). Workplace ethics are a vigorous set of values differing with individuals, though, they are
essential to construct a productive profession. Businesses are acknowledged to encompass ethical
implementations and behaviors to enhance efficiency and uphold integrity while placing a
penalty for employees who fail to practice workplace ethics (Cook & Artino, 2016).
Behaviorism and Legal Foundations
Legal behavior pursues the standards of laws, which are written down and understood by
the courts. During decision-making, establishing the authority of an approach is enabled through
the presence of rulings, policies, and codes (Overskeid, 2018). Distinct from ethical matters,
there are determined consequences for behaving in a manner contradictory to the law.
Nevertheless, while civilization advances, what accounts for legal behavior additionally shifts.
For instance, until recently, the possession or usage of marijuana was forbidden (Winter &
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Winter, 2018). Accordingly, statutes decriminalizing marijuana and current regulations will have
to be reinterpreted and indisputably supplementary laws will need to be enacted to rule what was
once an unlawful behavior. Whether or not a person considers it is ethical to utilize a possibly
damaging item, the point is the law now permits such behavior (Overskeid, 2018).
Legal Behaviorism in the Workplace
Workers at all levels adhere to a great measure of lawful behavior. Daily, they make
crucial choices affecting the businesses they work for, their investors, and all further participants
engaged, together with the public as one (Simpson & Balsam, 2016). For workers, it is critical to
identify and adapt to the legal duties to meet the expectations of everyone, and to place an
illustration of such behavior for others. They must hold a fundamental knowledge of labor
regulations, equal rights policies, and marketing influences. Labor enactments and legislations
comprise paying minimum wage to full-time workers. Even though the minimum wage in an at-
will employment agreement is legal, individuals employed for minimum wage generally cannot
achieve their daily expenses, leaving them in debt (Araiba, 2019).
A business applying marketing methods may walk a tightrope between persuasion and
manipulation. A few marketing methods may exploit uninformed sections of a community, which
may be legal while being despised across the marketplace (Araiba, 2019). For instance, before
the Credit Card Act of 2009, banks could entice adolescents into opening credit accounts with the
assurance of financial liberty, disregarding the adolescent’s potential to pay off the elevated
interest debts (Simpson & Balsam, 2016). Further methods may exploit destructive compulsions
through producing emotional responses. Throughout the casino industry, businesses advertising
commercials presenting overjoyed prizewinners chucking cash into the air is a key model of this
in a realm where individuals may spoil their lives with a gambling addiction. Even so, additional
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strategies may exploit individuals in need by tempting them into rapacious services, like high-
cost loans with daily interest added (Winter & Winter, 2018).
A business's judgment not to employ smokers creates lifestyle discrimination. A business
may obligate workers not to smoke for the period of their shift or any place on company property
however does not have the right to obligate them not to smoke once not at work or not on
company premises (Winter & Winter, 2018). Over half of the states in the US safeguard workers
in opposition to businesses who require particular lifestyle specifications, like merely employing
nonsmokers or declining to employ people who are overweight or have high cholesterol. The
legal framework forms legislation overseeing behavior (Cook & Artino, 2016).
Biblical Scripture Examples of Behaviorism Theory
Christians have an array of interpretations regarding psychology. Few agree psychology
is a valid subject area advantageous in helping individuals with the complications of life. Others
deny it completely (Simpson & Balsam, 2016). Researchers, moreover, differ in their acceptance
of psychology as effective, psychology is an art form not constantly built on measurable
evidence. Behavior therapy stands out in this sense. It is possibly straightforwardly understood
owing to its importance on the scientific method. Christians may biblically practice behavior
therapy if it is accurately corrected by the Bible (Bożek et al., 2020).
Numerous psychologists noticed behaviorism to be exceedingly reductionist, and
Christians have challenges with it also. An emphasis on environmental impacts on behavior
reduces the intricacy of personhood. Ultimately, individuals are greater than mechanisms
responding to stimuli (Overskeid, 2018). Human behavior is comprehensive, and behaviorism
generalizes the matter. Similarly, of concern for Christians, behaviorism is established in
naturalism and consequently sets aside small, if some, space for God’s presence or any notion of
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holiness. Yet with all its difficulties, behaviorism hits upon a truth (Aydın et al., 2018). The Bible
does exemplify people are shaped by their surroundings. “Be not deceived: evil communications
corrupt good manners” (King James Bible, 1769/2017, 1 Corinthians 15:33). A reason God
ordered the Israelites to overthrow the lands they seized was He understood the pagan customs
could be a discouraging influence. Paul delivers warnings in opposition to connecting with
individuals who would pull devotees apart from God and not in favor of carrying out issues
detrimental to another believer’s trust (Bożek et al., 2020). 1 Timothy 4:7 explains the Bible is
not against behavior change or over choice. Still, following God is not regarding an individual
cleaning up their behavior. Jesus did not come to free people from imperfect behaviors instead
from the death of sin. Galatians 5:16 characterizes behavioral practices assisting Christians who
are fighting against their immoral natures, still, for full success, nothing may reinstate the
potency of the Holy Spirit (Grim & Grim, 2019).
The Parable of the Talents has a prolonged and ingrained practice of optimistic
understanding regarding the stewardship of the aptitudes, abilities, and resources a follower has
learned and, in a time, accepted from God. Conforming to this point of view, the parable helps
the followers to work out as much as they feasibly can with their talents for the nation of God
(Simpson & Balsam, 2016). Talents have been mostly recognized as natural capacities or skills
and even abilities which have been gained over practice, experience, or teaching. Jesus often
informed parables to build his principles further attainable through including facets of everyday
life, distinguishable to his audience (Bożek et al., 2020). The influence of the parables belongs to
in their value not simply to compare the principles to the real world although as well to deliver
mind-changing messages and to spark thoughts. Hence, conceivably the parable is not regarding
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stewardship of resources. Instead, it is concerning uncovering and condemning unethical
behavior strengthening repressive forms of the past and the present (Overskeid, 2018).
Moreover, an example in the Bible of conditioning is the story of David and Goliath.
Conditioning in behavioral psychology is a concept in which the effect to an idea or issue by an
individual or animal may be improved by learning, David was conditioned through the ability of
God’s power (Grim & Grim, 2019). While David acted to fear by counting on God’s power once
encountered with a lion and a bear, he was rewarded by slaying them and defending his group.
Once met with Goliath, David was adept to rely on the reinforced behavior he obtained from
shielding his group to triumph over Goliath and protect his people. Mirroring the natural laws of
God's creation, methodological behaviorism supports and incorporates with Scripture on various
ideas (Bożek et al., 2020).
Human Dignity-Centered Framework
The Human Dignity-Centered framework was formed applying devout evaluations to
expand business ethics. It is a widespread belief human beings are virtuous and are enticed to
encouraging principles and good values (Aydın et al., 2018). The purpose individuals take part in
sins in business, on the other hand, is owing to the business pressure making it hard to establish
the correct things to do. Nowadays, it is ordinary to be informed of ethical concerns bewildering
a community, which are signs business ethics are needing solid frameworks which will present
individuals a firm foundation on their behavior (Patey et al., 2018). There are two general
approaches to ethics, these are legal and moral standards viewpoints. Arguably, business
regulations must be deeply considered on moral standards, individuals will have no motivation to
adhere to rules except to avoid being penalized. Though, with the motivation of robust moral
basis organizations, individuals have a stable foundation to turn to. Moral principles are valuable
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in building a culture and character of humanistic management relating to human dignity (Mea &
Sims, 2019). Human dignity indicates the belief in which all human being has a divine value
residing in their spirit or, otherwise, a value is a critical part of what it represents to be human. It
is not an external aspect or an unnecessary component, like the color of a person’s skin, eyes, or
hair, nevertheless an essential characteristic of what makes an individual human and what
distinguishes them from plants, animals, and nonliving matters (Mea & Sims, 2019).
Behaviorism does not connect with the Human Dignity Centered-Framework. Various
critics claim behaviorism is a superficial tactic to comprehending human behavior and behavioral
concepts do not compromise free will and internal impacts like temperaments, judgments, and
outlooks (Kadivar et al., 2018). Behaviorism can be apparent or facile in describing behavior and
learning. It only studies what is evident and measurable, furthermore, there are several
unobserved characteristics of a person which are very integral in their behavior and learning
skills. Behaviorism does not clarify further forms of learning, specifically learning occurring
without the practice of reinforcement and punishment. A great deal of human behavior and
learning skills are applied to the results of external reasons working as reinforcers or punishers,
yet not everything may be defended by external effects (Aydın et al., 2018). Individuals and
animals may modify their behavior after additional knowledge is presented, even if a past
behavior pattern has been set up through reinforcement. No matter what behavior a person
learned formerly through the structure of reinforcement, they may still be allowed to adapt or
alter it once different considerations present more material. While people continue to live, they
will stumble upon much more learning opportunities (Cook & Artino, 2016).
Behaviorism analyses human and nonhuman beings from the perspective of the behavior
they exemplify. It is the understanding of the behavior of individuals and animals in their every
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action, inner reaction, and the manner they think. Surroundings take part in a big role in the life
of individuals, though it is challenging to decipher the behavior of individuals merely centering
on the environmental factor (Aydın et al., 2018). In certain circumstances, behaviorism ignores
the independence of all individuals creating a common behavioral pattern for everybody.
Furthermore, an individual may be pretending they stopped a behavior only to be given an
incentive. If someone incentives an individual for moral behavior, the individual will wait for an
incentive on every occasion (Overskeid, 2018). Behaviorism in broad has supplied a lot of
impact in the area of learning and psychology. People may for no reason simply disagree with
the point in which a few of the principles and methodologies to life are planted in this technique.
At the end of the day, no specific theory can ever describe absolutely in what way individuals
behave and understand in the framework of a shifting environment (Araiba, 2019).
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