Three Major Principles of Ethics - Term Paper Example

Values and Ethics Introduction In the past few years, it has been observed that counties in Florida are being ethically challenged. State level ethics in Florida are inefficient and out-dated, but the counties in the state are themselves carrying out the reformation of ethics and putting efforts to solve the problems related to public corruption through the development of innovative ethics and improvement of solutions. According to the report provided by LeRoy Collins Institute at Florida State University, most of the counties are rendering training for ethics to elected officials and have implemented restraints on the gifts provided by the lobbyist to the elected officials of county. The law-makers of Florida have been unwilling to reform the ethics in the state due to which Florida has been lagging behind in the nation in relation to the implementation of ethics and transparency of the government (Leroy Collins Institute, 2012). With this consideration, the paper intends to set forth three major principles related to ethics that ought to be considered as high priority by the county government in Ocala, Florida. These principles will facilitate to set requisite guidelines to public servants. Besides, the reasons behind the implementation along with the approach for the enforcement of such principles of ethics will be ascertained. 3 Major Principles of Ethics Ethics can be defined as the morals of universal nature which involve the particular set of practices that have to be adopted by the moral philosophy of an individual. It also can be considered as a structure or concept of moral values. Therefore, code of ethics to be maintained by a public servant for a city or a county involves three different values that have to be taken into consideration. These values include Respect for Persons, Concern for Welfare and Justice (Government of Canada, 2012). Respect for Persons ‘Respect for Persons’ considers the intrinsic value of the person in the society. This principle comprises two main features that include dual moral responsibilities to respect independence protecting it with increasing, reducing and diminishing independence (Government of Canada, 2012). Independence includes that fact that people should be treated as independent wherein the people in the society can make their personal decision regarding what should be agreed and what should be done. Valuing independence would provide esteem to the judgement made by the individual and ensure that the individual has made the judgement without any influence. Independence can be influenced by the individual’s connections to various aspects that encompass community, family, and other socio-cultural, linguistic and religious groups. Similarly, the decisions made by the individual can have an effect owing to these connections. There are certain aspects that might reduce the capability of a person to practice independence which include inappropriate data or understanding for discussion and non-existence of autonomy wherein the decision made is taken through influence or compulsion (Government of Canada, 2012). Concern for Welfare Welfare comprises the effect on the person through aspects such as mental, spiritual and physical health along with social, economic and physical situations. Therefore, the determinants for welfare consist of membership in a community, housing, security, family life, employment and social involvement amongst other aspects of life. Moreover, there are other aspects for welfare of the person that include confidentiality and information control about the individual along with dealing with individuals biological resources with the consent of the individual who was the source of data (Government of Canada, 2012). Justice Justice is considered as one of the most important ethical principles wherein everyone is treated justly and equally. Justly includes treating all the individuals with equivalent esteem and concern. Equally includes distribution of the advantages and burdens in such a manner that the individual is not burdened by the harm or advantages of the data that has been generated. However, there is one distinction that arises while treating justly and equally which embraces vulnerability, that is often instigated due to limited ability, limitation while accessing social goods for instance power, prospects and rights. Individuals or groups who face these situations of vulnerability should be provided special consideration so that they can be treated fairly and equally (Government of Canada, 2012). Implementation of Ethics The acknowledged principles of ethics are considered very beneficial for a county government in Ocala, Florida as these principles would benefit the public servants to develop their thought pertaining to the complicated moral issues along with deriving appropriate decisions. These principles can provide moral judgement to solve ethical problems and help in justifying the actions that have been taken. For instance, government doctors have repeatedly been facing problems in taking the decisions regarding the information that has to be provided to the patients. Contextually, if these doctors provide complete information about the disease that the patient is suffering through then there might be a possibility that the patient might go through depression due to redundant concern and distress. In the context of the principle of independence, it is necessary to provide information to the patient who desires to receive the information with lesser stress and concern. If these principles are implemented in a medical establishment of the government then it would be very beneficial as it draws together the core issues which help in unifying the ethical concerns related to health care. Additionally, these principles are very appropriate, attractive and ethically sound. Besides, it is believed that these principles are consistent with almost all the concepts and its implementation is universal as they rise above utmost ethical boundaries (Limentani, 1999). It is highly recommended that to ensure excellence in the functioning of the government organisations, there should be certain code of ethics that has to be established in these organisations. The code of ethics includes: The government officials who have been elected should be committed to the perception of efficient and democratic government wherein they believe that expertise in management is significant for acquiring these objectives (International City/County Management Association, n.d.). It should be asserted that the dignity and value of the services provided by the country government in Ocala, Florida should be innovative, constructive and must have a practical approach towards the affairs of local government. Public servants should also imbibe an intellect of social responsibility. The government officials must have dedication towards honour and honesty pertaining to the public and private relationship and the officials must have the respect and assurance towards the other elected officials. The government organisations must also understand that their main priority would be to serve the interest of the common public. They also need to focus on continuous development of the capability of the officials to use the best techniques of management. The community must be continuously informed about the affairs and the policies of the government organisations in order to enhance the communication between the public and government officials. Developing policies that ensure that inappropriate use of confidential information would be regarded as illegal would also frame a key constituent. There will also be provision of subsequent penalising actions for anyone found violating laid down code of ethics (International City/County Management Association, n.d.). Conclusion Ethics refers to the morals of universally accepted nature which relates to the adoptions that have to be made by the individual in their moral philosophy. It is also regarded as the theory of moral value. There are three vital ethical principles which include Respect for Persons, Concern for Welfare and Justice. Respect for Persons can be termed as a principle that considers the fundamental value of the individual in the community. Concern for Welfare represents the impact on the mental, spiritual and physical health of an individual together with the socio, economic and physical circumstances. Justice is concerned with treating every individual fairly and equally. The principle of ethics is very advantageous for the government official as it would help in the improvement of thinking process related to the complex moral issues along with determining proper decisions. Furthermore, these principles of ethics help in deriving moral judgement in order to provide solution to the problems of ethics and determine the course of action to be taken which is considered very adequate, attractive and sound in ethical background. Thus, in order to ensure that these principles are implied properly in the government organisation it is highly considered that code of ethics is applied in the organisation to the best effect. References Government of Canada. (2012). Ethics framework. Retrieved from http://www.pre.ethics.gc.ca/eng/policy-politique/initiatives/tcps2-eptc2/chapter1-chapitre1/ International City/County Management Association. (n.d.). ICMA Code of Ethics. Retrieved from http://icma.org/en/icma/ethics/code_of_ethics Leroy Collins Institute. (2012).Tough choices: Florida counties bridge the ethics policy gap. Tough Choices Facing Florida’s Governments, 1-16. Limentani, A. E. (1999). The role of ethical principles in health care and the implications for ethical codes. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC479265/?page=2 Read More