Personal Code of Ethics

Personal Code of Ethics is much like the human brain. Everyone already has one but some people tend to use it to better effect than others. Moreover, just like the human brain, a personal code of ethics tends to grow and learn from its sometimes-painful mistakes through a refinement process that extends over an individual's lifetime. Because everyone is different, though, each personal code of ethics is unique, but there are some common features that such codes share that can be used to help identify what is regarded as being important to others which can be used to shape an individual's own version. To determine what a personal code of ethics is, what it typically contains and why it is important, this paper provides a review of the relevant peer-reviewed, scholarly literature as well as some examples of personal codes of ethics maintained online, followed by presentation of the author's own personal code of ethics.

Review and Discussion

Personal Code of Ethics Overview.

What it Is. As Nash (2002) advises, "Look to your code for information, inspiration, guidance, and support in thinking about your case-dilemmas, but not for the final word. Of course, there will always be times when a conflict will arise between your personal code of ethics and your professional code. Then you will have an additional moral dilemma, itself demanding resolution. Alas, nothing will ever be easy." Moreover, because people are so vastly different from each other, one individual's personal code of ethics might be the antithesis of another person's code. According to Nash, "Simple ethical maxims, whether religious or secular, can be very helpful as general action guides, but morality and ethics, like religion, will always have their subjective elements. These subjective elements guarantee that obstinate ethical and religious disagreements will persist. This is the nature of the beast." Furthermore, such personal codes can and have been used to rationalize less-than-ethical behaviors. In this regard, Beasley and Jenkins (2003) report that, "Those involved in a fraud are able to rationalize a fraudulent act as being consistent with their personal code of ethics. Some individuals possess an attitude, character or set of ethical values that allows them to knowingly and intentionally commit a dishonest act."

In reality, then, a personal code of ethics is a unique set of factors that an individual uses to identify the superior course of action in a morally confusing situation. In some cases, the superior ethical approach is readily apparent, but in others, there may be no clear-cut best approach. As Wulfson (1998) emphasizes, "One must realize that in many situations there is no easy solution, no one absolutely correct answer. To arrive at a solution, one person may use the utilitarian theory of the greatest good for the greatest number, another may use Kant's theory against using a person as a means to an end and a third may be concerned with justice." While everyone likely uses these and other approaches to sorting out right from wrong to identify a superior ethical course of action, a personal code of ethics can be consulted to help formulate an informed approach. For instance, according to Wulfson, "One must try to develop well-reasoned, well-thought out answers to an ethical problem that a code of ethics can support." Clearly, then, although all personal codes of ethics are unique, it also appears they share some common features that resemble mental algorithms that are used automatically to make these determinations between ethical and unethical behavior by examining those aspects of a situation that appear to be most important to the observer.

Why it Is Important. The extent to which young people are comfortable and satisfied with their personal code of ethics is likely the extent to which they are adjusting to the rigors and challenges that go hand in hand with the maturation process. According to Schoenberg (1993), "The self is organized around a balanced perspective, which in sum is more than education, training, and/or experience. When his behavior and attitudes conform to his belief system, that is, his personal code of ethics, he is a typical adolescent, mostly well adjusted but having peaks and valleys on his road to responsible adulthood." Therefore, developing a personal code of ethics that is aligned with the individual's beliefs, values and perspectives about the world provides a valuable framework in which to negotiate the vagaries of human interaction. As Schoenberg points out, parents can impart their wisdom and guidance for just so long, and then people are on their own with only their personal code of ethics to use as a moral compass in these troubled waters. "The influence of the father and the mother may wane as the man grows older," Schoenberg advises, "but all things being equal, his personal code of ethics will be with him always."

As noted in the introduction, everyone already possesses a personal code of ethics whether they know it or not. It is this innate sense of what is right and wrong that provides people with the framework they need to sort out the nebulous areas of moral dilemmas and helps distinguish ethical behavior from unethical. As Beker (2004) emphasizes, it is reasonable that everyone also violates their own personal code of ethics from time to time: "I believe that each one of us knows innately when we're being honest and what is just and fair, but sometimes, because of the stakes/rewards presented and the temptations that exist all around us, we give in and behave dishonestly, unjustly, unfairly -- in short, unethically." Possessing and actually using a code of personal ethics that has been given some thought and consideration, though, can help people avoid such conduct and make the right choices even when the temptation to do otherwise may be compelling. According to Beker, "It's this giving-in that we've got to fight, and the only way in which we can fight it is to be aware of our own personal code of ethics and make a strong personal commitment to it. That way, because of our awareness of and commitment to ethics, we'll have the strength to resist temptations to do and say unethical things" (emphasis added). Likewise, others suggest that, "Developing your own personal code of ethics is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. A personal code of ethics puts into writing those ideas and philosophies that are the essence of your life and allows you to say I will do this because I believe this."

What it Should Contain. In one of his more memorable sketches, the late, great comedian George Carlin once distilled the Ten Commandments into one "Big Commandment" that was, not surprisingly, simply the Golden Rule. In this regard, Nash suggests that any personal code of ethics should begin with the Golden Rule, but it is not an end-all solution. "Generally," Nash notes, "you can't go wrong in keeping the Golden Rule front and center in your personal code of ethics. It is not without its difficulties, however. That old killjoy, George Bernard Shaw, once said that we should be careful about doing unto others as we would have them do unto us because their tastes may be different." An examination of some representative personal codes of ethics maintained online indicates that the Golden Rule and the need for continuing review and refinement of the code are common features in many such personal codes of ethics as noted below:

will review my personal code of ethics periodically, and reflect on my practice as a professional, and strive to make improvements wherever and whenever necessary to the benefit of the profession, the practice, and the adult learners.

The Golden Rule: Do not do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you.

One of the most important things is to treat other as you wish to be treated.

Yet other personal codes of ethics focus on specific personal goals to become a better and more ethical individual with a commitment to continue to develop and grow throughout their lives. Some of the more poignant elements identified include the following excerpts from personal codes of ethics posted online:

will strive to be courteous and to leave a positive impression on the people I meet. I will try to be pleasant even when the surrounding conditions are not. My situation will not define who I am.

A will, with great care, consideration, and dedication to my values and morals, conduct resolutions to problematic situations and ethical dilemmas, always considering the consequences of my actions in regard to all my dealings and those who may be affected.

I am a person like no other. I will do my best to be the person God created me to be. I will not live my life based on what I think others expect of me, but rather based on what I expect from myself. Although I am far from perfect, I will try to act in such a way that will make my family and my friends proud of me. They are a great source of strength and I will honor them while remaining true to myself.