In this essay, I want to examine more deeply the way reflection serves as the

source of our moral thinking. How is it that by viewing ourselves from without,
we can learn to see others as having an equal claim on our attention? Reflection,
as I have said, need not always assume an impersonal form. What, then, is
involved in its coming to exhibit the sort of self-transcendence that morality
demands? Obviously, the place to begin is the nature of reflection itself.

What does ethics mean to me? Ethics in my point of view would be a logical
understanding of right and wrong that sets out what people should do and should
not do whether it be in fairness, virtues, obligations, or rights. I feel that it is
necessary to continuously examine our standards to ensure that they are
reasonable. Ethics should have a continuous effort within our own moral beliefs, to
make us the better person all around. Some of the tools of critical thinking for
ethics could be subject to relativism or universal to religious. Where relativism
beliefs differ from individual to individual on what is right or wrong.

The study of moral philosophy can help us to think better about morality. Some
issues arise especially in the modern world and individuals are faced with
ultimate questions on the moral basis of those issues such as trustworthy.

Another major reason of studying ethics or moral philosophy is to sharpen our

general thinking processes. In philosophy we are able to learn very significant
intellectual skills that guide our reasoning and thinking. Thus we can logically
reason out concerning fundamental or ultimate questions in real life while
critically evaluating the conflicting view points and consequently settle for
decision that reflects on our values and principles as individuals.

Ethics is undoubtedly a very interesting subject to study. Ethics provokes some

good or healthy debates with other people, especially if the two or more people
naturally have conflicting view points on major issues of life. These interesting
debates stimulate and sharpen our thinking and imagination enabling people to
re-think our view point giving room for alter or improve our perspectives in
future events. Hence, an action that contributes to beneficial consequences is
considered right or moral while an action that results in harmful or destructive
consequences is immoral or wrong. To the proponents of this theory, any action
is morally justified to the extent that it maximizes gains and minimizes the costs
or harms.

This theory maintains we should act morally depending on our rights and duties
at all times and under all circumstances. Consequently moral actions promote
the dignity and worth of other person, not using other persons for own
purposes.

Virtue ethics do not dwell on the principles or the rules governing our actions
like the previous ethical theories but seeks a deeper insight in gaining knowledge
on the kind of character that should be possessed by a moral human being.
According to Aristotle, a moral virtue is the inclination to do the right thing and
avoid doing wrong. This virtuous character does not come naturally but through
thorough training and education, thus it is an achievement not a natural
predisposition in a human being. Courage, temperance, prudence and justice
were considered by Aristotle as the most fundamental moral virtues. Reasons for
belief and action are essentially normative in character. What we have reason to
do is what we ought to do, all else being equal. There is no explaining what is
meant by reasons except by appeal to this or similar ways of speaking.

In conclusion, the study of ethics is important since it helps us to evaluate our

actions based on principles. This critical evaluation of ethical behaviour guides
our thinking and action for future events. Ethics is an interesting subject that
every person will enjoy studying since it sheds light into how we make decisions
concerning the contemporary moral issues. Ethics is so much more than knows
what must stay confidential. It is a way to orient your life in which you are
consistent with your own moral code, and it also allows you to express to others
what you think and articulate why you think that. My ethics minor has given me
great mentors and outstanding professors. It broadened my research interests to
include moral development, indicating the extent to which this field is
interdisciplinary.