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It has been said that values, morals and ethics are inextricably tied together. Values are what we

learn from childhood; the 'stuff' we absorb from our parents and immediate surroundings. Morals

are the intrinsic beliefs developed from the value systems of how we 'should' behave in any given

situation. Ethics, on the other hand, are how we actually do behave in the face of difficult situations

that test our moral fiber.

TO BEHAVE ETHICALLY IS TO BEHAVE IN A MANNER THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT IS

GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE RIGHT OR MORAL. ETHICAL BEHAVIOR IS THE BEDROCKOF MUTUAL TRUST.

So how do values relate to ethics, and what do we mean by ethics? One of the keysis in the phrase we quoted above from the DA pamphlet: "Values are what we, as aprofession, judge to be right." Individually or organizationally, values determinewhat is right and what is wrong, and doing what is right or wrong is what we

mean by ethics. To behave ethically is to behave in a manner consistent with

what is right or moral. What does "generally considered to be right" mean? That isa critical question, and part of the difficulty in deciding whether or not behavior isethical is in determining what is right or wrong.

Perhaps the first place to look in determining what is right or wrong is society. Virtually every

society makes some determination of morally correct behavior.

Societies not only regulate the behavior of their members, but also define their societal core

values. "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" represent c ore American values.

We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we

have acted rightly.

Ethics is a requirement for human life. It is our means of deciding a course of action. Without it, our

actions would be random and aimless. There would be no way to work towards a goal because there

would be no way to pick between a limitless number of goals. Even with an ethical standard, we may

be unable to pursue our goals with the possibility of success. To the degree which a rational ethical

standard is taken, we are able to correctly organize our goals and actions to accomplish our most

important values. Any flaw in our ethics will reduce our ability to be successful in our endeavors.

Ethics are essential for the smooth cooperation of all people within a society in order to ensure

maximization of collective wellbeing of all the people in a free and fair manner. Therefore ethics are

as important as the society is, especially in the context that we are essentially a social being.

We make decisions every day, all the time.

What do you think is the fundamental reason for our need to act, to make decisions?

One thing to notice is that our feelings and sensations depend on our choices. Certain things

will make us happy, certain things will make us miserable.Losing a house, a great job, a tooth, or a girlfriend can make one miserable. And yet the

possession of these things is not automatic: it depends on the choices one makes every day.

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Every human being that ever existed needed some sort of guidance how to live, what toavoid, what to seek, how to get it.

We need that guidance not only in isolated cases, but in the most fundamental questions inour lives: What kind of person do I want to be? What lifestyle do I want? What purpose or

goals should I seek?

It involves identification of the principles of behavior that lead to the success of an individual and a

society. These principles are timeless, they always "work" given their context (that life, choice and

happiness are possible).

In conclusion, I want to emphasize one more aspect of ethics: Ethics is primarily a guide for an

individual - not a society. It does have implications for life in society, if one chooses to have that, but

it is primarily a personal guide.

There is no confusion in this statement, for anything relevant to the Hereafter and to our sustenance

cannot be in order, nor can its seeker be happy, except through good manners. Much of a good deed

does not help without cultivating and correctingg ones conduct. Actually, a bad conduct only spoils

a good deed just as vinegar spoils honey.

I do not tell you that you must be perfect in doing anything partial or total because you will then find

it too much and say, How can I do that, knowing who I am?! Rather, I tell you that you should not

excuse yourself when you deliberately do a faulty job with regard to anything partial, forgiving

yourself for it. But if your shortcoming is due to submission to whims and desires of your own, in

response to self-deception and to the insinuations of Satan, this is quite something else. Such is the

doing of someone who is not infallible. Our objective is to accustom ourselves not to take things

lightly, not to be neglectful and forgiving of our own shortcomings.