Personal ethics refers to the moral principles and values that an individual holds and uses to guide their decisions and actions in everyday life.
It’s essentially an internal compass that helps a person distinguish between right and wrong, good and bad.
Here’s a breakdown of what that means:
- Individualized: Unlike professional ethics (which are rules set by an organization or profession), personal ethics are unique to each person. While they can be influenced by external factors like upbringing, culture, religion, and societal norms, they ultimately represent an individual’s chosen moral framework.
- Guides Behavior: Personal ethics shape how a person interacts with others, makes choices, and navigates various situations, both personal and professional. They influence things like honesty, integrity, respect, empathy, responsibility, and trustworthiness.
- Foundation for Decisions: When faced with a moral dilemma, a person’s personal ethics provide a basis for making a decision that aligns with their core beliefs.
- Can Evolve: While core values may remain consistent, personal ethics can develop and be refined over time through life experiences and reflections.
In essence, personal ethics are the rules by which an individual lives their personal life, building their commitment to a moral existence.
