Contemporary Ethics Changes
Subjects such as euthanasia, infanticide, slavery, abortion, pre-marital sex and/or promiscuity, smoking, drinking, gender roles and homosexuality are all subject to changing ethics - but (see below), that doesn't mean modern attitudes are more right than old-fashioned ones.

Absolutism vs. Relativism
http://www.greaterthings.com/Ridenhour/general/absolute_relative.htm
http://www.equip.org/free/DE198.htm

Morals & Ethics
My writings on morals and ethics:
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From: Jim Achuff
Date: March 6, 2006
For: University of Phoenix MBA-FIN554
Subject: Re: Lack of Morals and Legislation

I believe that the decline in morals in US society is directly related to the removal of God from everyday conversation. So much of society is so concerned with being offended and not being told what to do. If you acknowledge a higher moral authority, then you must answer to that authority.

Hollywood and those outlets that grab our attention continually show the benefits of shady behavior without emphasizing the consequences.

It is not the government's job to impose morals on society, but when society won't do it to itself, what is the alternative?

Recommended reading: Muzzled by Michael Smerconish
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159555050X/sr=8-1/qid=1141656918/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-5095080-0507850?%5Fencoding=UTF8
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From: Jim Achuff
Date: June 5, 2005
For: University of Phoenix MBA-COM525
Subject: Re: THREAD: WK2 - DQ2

DQ #2: When you hear the word "ethics," what comes to mind?

My first thoughts when I think of "ethics" center on a code of conduct or acting "ethically." As I think more about the subject, the words morals and scruples come to mind - doing the right thing and doing things right.

I think ethics are most often discussed within a professional context and morals are considered more personal. For example, the medical and legal professions have oaths or codes that define ethical standards for each. Typically morals and ethics will be aligned with one another, but not always. A practice may be permissible by professional ethics, but one may find it morally reprehensible - animal euthanasia is one such practice.

I also think of "work ethic" - the way in which one conducts himself or herself in regards to their job. A strong work ethic is considered good by most.

Finally, I think most of us would consider ourselves ethical people - adhering to particular tenets in our lives that the majority of society deems acceptable.
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From: Jim Achuff
Date: June 2, 2005
For: University of Phoenix MBA-COM525
Subject: Re: THREAD: WK2 - DQ2

As I was reading some of the articles for the week...one thing that struck me was ethics can be relative and can evolve over time. Morals would seem to be absolute.

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Cultural Values and Personal Ethics

Cultural Values

Cultural values represent what a society considers good, right and desirable (Williams, 1970). These values tell people what is appropriate behavior in various situations. Cultural value priorities are expressed in the ways that societal institutions (e.g. family, education, political and religious systems) operate (Schwartz, 1999). One of the most prominent ways in which we can see differences between cultures is in the treatment of women. In some societies women are not afforded the same rights as men or are expected to behave in a certain manner. In other parts of the world, women are treated more on par with men.
"As generic principles, [cultural values] can be practiced in many different ways. For example, virtually all cultures value trustworthiness; but they have different views on truth telling. This is illustrated by Eastern vs. Western preferred values for harmony vs. forthrightness. An Asian being polite to maintain friendly relations may be perceived by an American as deceitful, although that is not the case. Both cultures agree in principle that deceit is unethical and trustworthiness is ethical, but misunderstandings can arise when the underlying principle is embodied in diverse ways that reflect different cultural values and virtues." (Colero, 1997)
Today's Western culture is largely one focused on work. The workplace and its demands are central for nearly everyone who participates. Work consumes more hours of the day than family or recreation. It is not unusual to hear complaints about the lessened ability to spend quality time with one's family; inability to take part in recreation or the amount of after-hours work brought home.
Many individuals define their self-worth by their career choice. Often, a topic of discussion in a conversation between newly introduced people is each other's occupations. In recent years, I have made an effort to answer such questions with "I'm a father of three great kids!"
I believe that our culture is slowly moving back toward one focused on family and personal time as many people realize that the cultural value of professional success is often hollow.
Personal Ethics
"In a general sense, ethics is the name that we give to our concern for good behavior. We feel an obligation to consider not only our own personal well-being but also that of others and of human society as a whole." - Dr. Albert Schweitzer (McDonnell, 1999)
It is safe to say that my personal ethics have been shaped by many things. By the culture in which I live, by the way my parents raised me, the environments in which I have spent my time, and by the choices I have made. In considering how I would express my personal ethics, I kept coming back to thought of an organization that was a large part of my life as I was growing up - the Boy Scouts. The Scout Law lays out twelve characteristics that each boy is to try to exemplify:

A scout is:
Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reverent

In a sense, these principles are simply derived from the Golden Rule: "Do to others as you would have them do to you." (Luke 6:31 NIV)
These guidelines, along with my deeply held belief in the authenticity of the Bible has continued to direct my conduct during my adult life as a husband, a father, an employee, a boss, and as a friend.
Larry Colero of Crossroads Programs Inc., while not drawing directly from the Scout Law, loosely agrees with this list and has divided these principles into three areas: Personal, Professional and Global ethics. I have chosen to use Colero's categories to classify the elements of the Scout Law. There is significant cross-over between categories:
Personal Ethics, all twelve fall into this category, because one's personal ethics affect one's professional and global ethics:
? Trustworthy - Tell the truth. Keep promises. Be honest. Be dependable.
? Loyal - Be true to family, friends, employer, and nation.
? Helpful - Be concerned about other people. Do things willingly for others without pay or reward.
? Friendly - Be a friend to all. Seek to understand others. Respect those with ideas and customs other than my own.
? Courteous - Be polite to everyone regardless of age or position. Know and practice good manners, making it easier for people to get along together.
? Kind - Understand that there is strength in being gentle. Treat others as I want to be treated. Do not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.
? Obedient - Follow the rules. Obey the laws of the community and country. If I think these rules and laws are unfair, I try to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.
? Cheerful - Looks for the bright side of things. Cheerfully do tasks that come my way.
? Thrifty - Work to pay my way and to help others. Save for unforeseen needs. Protect and conserve natural resources. Carefully use time and property.
? Brave - I can face danger even if I am afraid. Have the courage to stand for what I think is right even if others laugh at or threaten me.
? Clean - Keeps my body and mind fit and clean. Go around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. Help keep my home and community clean.
? Reverent - Be reverent toward God. Be faithful in my religious duties. Respects the beliefs of others.
Professional Ethics:
? Trustworthy - Be impartial. Be objective. Be open, provide full disclosure. Keep confidential things confidential. Perform due diligence when called for.
? Loyal - Be faithful an employer or employees and to professional responsibilities
? Courteous - Conducting myself in a "professional" manner.
? Thrifty - Don't waste company assets, including time.
Global Ethics:
? Loyal - We are all in this world together.
? Helpful - Be socially responsible.
? Friendly - Be a friend to all. Seek to understand others.
? Kind - Be compassionate to those less fortunate.
? Obedient - Adhere to laws.
? Thrifty - Be environmentally responsible.
? Clean - Be environmentally responsible.
? Reverent - Be respectful of the beliefs and values of others, both religious and cultural.
These principles, instilled in me as a boy, continue to provide guidance to deal with those situations that do not lend themselves to an easy formula.
Conclusion
According to Colero (1997), "It is important to note that principles of personal ethics are the first checkpoint in any situation, often overriding those at the professional and global levels." I agree with this statement, and I will strive to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent personally, professionally and globally.

Beckett, J. (1999). Loving Monday. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Boy Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan. Retrieved June 14, 2005 from http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/02-503a.html.
Carey, A. (1915). The Scout Law in Practice. Boston, MA: Little Brown and Company. Retrieved June 14, 2005 from http://ecommunity.uml.edu/scouting26/sctlaw/sctlaw.html.
Colero, L. A Framework For Universal Principles of Ethics. Retrieved June 14, 2005 from http://www.ethics.ubc.ca/papers/invited/colero.html.
How to be a Good Kid (Then and Now). (2005, February). Boys Life, 95(2), 28-29. Retrieved June 14, 2005 from EBSCOhost database.
International Bible Society. (1984). Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
Mathieson, D. (1997, Summer). Extra care needed - Christians at work. Affirm. Retrieved June 14, 2005 from http://www.faithatwork.org.nz/godswork/extracare.htm.
McDonnell, S. (1999, February 1). Living up to a code of ethics: There is always room for improvement. Vital Speeches of the Day, 65(8), 249-252. Retrieved June 14, 2005 from ProQuest database.
Rogel, S. (2003, April 15). Business ethics and the Boy Scout code: Results, integrity, concern for others. Vital Speeches of the Day, 69(13), 403-407. Retrieved June 14, 2005 from ProQuest database.
Schwartz, S. (1999, January). A theory of cultural values and some implications for work. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 48(1), 23-47. Retrieved June 15, 2005 from ProQuest database.
Williams, R. (1970). American society: A sociological interpretation (3rd Edn.). New York: Knopf.