Decision Making Ethics Is a Philosophical Term Term Paper

Decision Making

Ethics is a philosophical term derived from the Greek word "ethos," meaning character or custom (Sims, 1994, p. 16). Ethics, therefore, is not just an ethereal concept belonging to the domain of philosophers and theologists, but a universal phenomenon that pervades the very functioning of individuals and society. Indeed, ethics can be said to be the guiding set of principles, based on which individual character, social and organizational custom is built. This is evident from the fact that family and social institutions begin inculcating ethical behavior into an individual from the time he or she begins to develop cognitive skills as an infant. Similarly, an organization inducts a new employee into the company's ethos and methods of conducting business. Thus, it is not surprising that cultural, personal, and organizational values influence decision making in an individual's personal and professional life.

The relationship that personal and organizational values have with decision making emerges when evaluating the impact or outcome of any decision. Formally defined, "ethical behavior" is that which is morally accepted as good and right as opposed to bad or wrong in a particular setting (Sims, 1994, p. 16). Therefore, the ethical framework within which decisions take place determines whether the outcome is to the benefit or detriment of individuals, society, or business. Thus, it is critical that an individual is guided by the right code of ethics and values when making personal or professional decisions in life.

Besides the sheer need to be able to live by one's conscience, chances are that there would be social chaos without a guiding set of principles and laws that define accepted norms of behavior. Perhaps this is the reason why human beings, in fact, derive a great deal of comfort from the presence of authority and the hierarchical structure of family and organizations (Williams, 1996, p. 100). While the establishment of such principles and authority may well be a crucial imperative behind the establishment of law and order, I am personally of the view that all individual, organizational, and societal decision making should be geared towards ensuring that justice has been done.

Indeed, the ultimate objective of achieving social justice for all segments of society has been the impetus for many a legislation on civil rights, workers rights, and human rights. In the case of "U.S. society, the culture itself, has established norms and values that undergird our behavior as people. They are encompassed in our basic values and community standards and formalized into law. The Federal Constitution, State Constitutions, Statues such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, and the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 are all examples of how cultural values create a body of legal standards, which influence personal and organizational decision making" (Sims, 1994, p. 3-4)

As a result, today, American society demands that individuals, organizations, and nations observe the basic human rights to safety, dignity, and equal opportunity, in all their decisions and actions. The emphasis on ensuring the observation of such rights is particularly important in a country like the United States, given the large migrant population. As such, it is key that individuals, communities, as well as businesses work towards ensuring that all segments of society, irrespective of culture, race, or gender, are given a fair chance to earn a decent living, provide for their families, and pursue their personal goals. Personally, as a member of the personnel department in a municipality with a diverse workforce, I try and approach all job opportunities and recruitment needs bearing the preceding consideration in mind. I am also pleased to say that fortunately, my personal values…