Ethics

Ethics is a set of moral principles or values which isconcerned with the rightness or wrongness of
humanbehavior and which guides your conduct in relation toothers (for individuals and
organizations)
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Afghanistan Institute of Banking and Finance (Author Sohailuddin ALAVI) March
2012
Ethics in the Work Place
Ethics
Religion is one of the main elements, and perhaps the greatest force that
sets out the criteriafor ethical behaviors throughout the world. Religion
enables us to distinguish between right fromwrong by telling
us what right behavior is and what isnt. For instance, religion may tell us
that
killing a person unduly is something grossly unethical and helping someone
is something greatlyethical. However, what may be ethical according to one
religion may be highly unethical
according to another religion. For instance, hunting to satisfy ones
legitimate needs is regarded
as ethical in Islam, Christianity and other religions of the world. However, in
Jain religion thesame act is grossly unethical.
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Different societies
have been dictating what the ethical codes of conduct are and what arent,
right from the primeval era. However, what may be regarded as a highly
ethical behavior in onesociety may be regarded as highly unethical in
another. For instance cohabiting is highly despisedin Eastern societies, but is
generally an accepted behavior in the European and North
Americansocieties. Conventionally, social legacies, customs and traditions
determine the code of conduct ina society. But in the contemporary societies
marked by freedom of choice, greater emphasis onhuman rights, continues
change in life styles, and of all technological and knowledge revolutionare
some of the emerging forefront variables that determine the socio-moral
conduct at a givenpoint in time.
Personal Perception

just like the religion and society that have since long dictated
anddiscriminated the right behaviors against the behaviors that are wrong,
personal perception also
influences individuals judgment of behavior. For instance, one pers
on may personally think thatthere is nothing wrong bribing as long as one
gets his needs achieved, but another person mayhave a completely different
opinion about the same issue. She may accept giving bribe forsomething
that is legal but would not consider it ethical to bribe for illegal things. Yet
anotherperson might even consider bribing unethical altogether. Factors that
might influence individualperception may be his or her moral values; goals
and expectations; circumstances; and,immediate environment; et