Ethics in the 21st Century - Research Paper Example

 Analysis of Ethics in the 21st Century 21st Century marked the imposition of disputes between territories, the 9/11 trauma, Iraq and Afghanistan war, Egyptian uprising and riots in the African countries. The challenges faced by the world in this hour are also widening and prolonging. These impediments are even more multifarious and exhausting in facet. There is a pertaining threat to environment and natural resources, a continuous depletion of natural resources, and the increasing gap between affluent and poor. The society is engaged in technological progress and globalization and so problems today are global rather than local. This situation, united with the unparalleled interconnections and interdependence among people from all countries, is defined as a ‘crisis’ or ‘uncertainty’ which founded the human society until now. Humankind is very far away from reaching a resolution needed to tackle the trans-boundary dilemmas and predicaments that escort the growing global family. However, what seems right is to address the conditions of such a society demand manifestation on the essential elements required to preserve a productive and peaceful global community. (UNESCO Headquarters|2001) A conference held at the UNESCO Headquarters on September 21-22, 2001 analyzed the role of ethics in today’s globalized world. A Report was made on the two day conference. In this report, different sessions were discussed such as structure of ethics of the 21st Century, the role ethics play in the 21st Century, different approaches towards an ethical environment, and the future of ethics. (UNESCO Headquarters|2001) Ethical Behavior According to the Institute of Global Ethics, ethical behavior is complementary to: Being trustful and sincere in all our transactions whether personal or professional Accountable and responsible in every dealing Mindful and respectful of self esteem of each and every individual Impartial and fair in every relationship Empathetic and gentle in every situation (Bailey J.I| February 2004) These are fantastic rules, powerful yet simple. They relate to literally every façade of human life and to every institution and organization. These are our embrace. We as individuals should adhere to these wonderful rules; and must not let any public perception change our views or discourage our beliefs. These are the basics of our existence, our survival and our upbringing. These are the ethics on which our decision making should be based upon. Deciding between two rights is what ethical management comprises of. It does not in any way signify that either of the two choices is unacceptable. But it means that one should be careful, compassionate and responsible in choosing the better option. Constant changes in the economic and social climate shifts public opinion and so today we face several discrete challenges brought into affect by such external forces. To remain loyal to our ethical responsibilities and principles, there are three focal areas we need to emphasize on. These are diversity, honesty and integrity and access. (Bailey J.I| February 2004) The Role of Ethics in the 21st Century Today, world tolerates the problems of ethics along side the technological and scientific domains that dominates the human race. Human beings can not just respond by themselves without the assistance of technology. Issues within the scientific community cannot be confronted until philosophical and ethical considerations are taken into account. Ethical reconciliation should be utilized when solving problems or interacting with diverse cultures. If one wishes to arrive at ethical clarifications of problems at hand, references must be cited to the traditional world of thought and wisdom. According to Prof. H. Atlan, philosophy is the key to arrive at ethical answers and to attend the problems of science and technology faced today. (UNESCO Headquarters|2001) There are two types of ethics that relate to globalization. First one is based on ethics of sovereignty of States and the power structure. The second one relates to the responsibilities of the liberal market. These two kinds of ethics and the vibrant relationship between them state the condition of ethics today. Globalization in the 21st Century gave birth to an accord between people who think internationally. In actuality, the emergence of a global civil community, by the sponsorship of global democracy, global governance and residency all contribute towards surfacing of ‘globalization of ethics’. (UNESCO Headquarters|2001) Ethical Training Most students and officers when hear the word “ethics” become spell bounded and images of departmental sanctions, internal affairs of a company, and extensive lawsuits came dawdling into their minds. As discussed earlier, ethical behavior is the basis of any university, college, organization or educational institution. It should be a persistent theme in every training program. Even though there is a vast literature on ethics and business ethics as well in our growing globalized world but there is a basic flaw in all these endeavors- instructor of these ethical training programs lack knowledge pertaining to ethical knowledge and ideologies. Another challenge that different departments face is vast ethical frameworks from which the units/officers must work. For instance resources officers versus petrol officer and traffic verses SWAT. (Dr. Bayley B. | August 21, 2009) In any case, the norm of “one stop shop” might not be the most feasible and effective way for ethical training of officers as well as students. Officers, teachers, and students need to learn how to handle ethical challenges faced by them in the 21st Century and for that it is essential to discover ethical ideologies and philosophies. As a students’ instructor or of your department, one should identify the different orientations among your people. (Dr. Bayley B. | August 21, 2009) Importance of Ethics Why immense importance is given to ethical principles in this century? They are the fundamental rules of any profession. Without an ethical framework, it is not possible to set rules that form the basis of any career and differentiate it from quackery or amateurism. In any profession of the world such as artists, doctors, dentists, journalists, performers, actors, etc need good ethics to be good at their work. Any profession needs ethical guidelines to be well recognized and formed. (Allain. J.P | May-June 2001). Is it fair to let small producing units produce in less favored regions of the world? To see their livelihood threatened by free market policies and laissez-faire? In today’s 21st Century free market and laissez faire are dominating the one empowered human race. In one’s own profession, it is considered ethical to eradicate the standards and working policies when competitors face them so that their marginal costs increase and when it comes to our enterprise, we vote in favor of whatever labor we are exploiting, and is it ethical to cheat your customers? Certainly not, but there is no reason to know it. (Allain. J.P | May-June 2001). We must not just eliminate our tenets lightly, we must continue to enhance and improve it. We should modernize our ethical system wherever required to face the challenges faced by us in the 21st Century so that our cultures and traditions do not lose their true essence and color. We should move towards modernism but by pursuing ethical principles, ideologies and philosophies. (Allain. J.P | May-June 2001). References UNESCO Headquarters (2001), Report on Ethics for the 21st Century, Division of Human Sciences, philosophy and the Ethics of Science and technology. [ONLINE} Available at: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0012/001246/124626eo.pdf Bailey J.I (February 2004) Ethics and the 21st Century. Centre for the Study in Ethics in Society. Western Michigan University [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.wmich.edu/ethics/pubs/vol_xv/judith_bailey.pdf Dr. Bayley B. (August 21, 2009). Improving ethics training for the 21st Century. Ethics in Law Enforcement. Policeone.com. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.policeone.com/patrol-issues/articles/1864833-Improving-ethics-training-for-the-21st-century/ Allain. J.P (May-June 2001). The role of ethics in a deregulated 21st Century. International Association of Conference Interpreters [ONLINE] Available at: http://aiic.net/ViewPage.cfm/page352.htm May-June 2001 - Read More