Personal Ethics Statement Essay Example for Free

Personal Ethics Statement Essay Ethics is a branch of philosophy, which address various issues that regards to morality and the general human behavior in society (Vendemiati 2004). Ethics identifies whether something is good or bad, ignoble or noble, just or unjust, or whether acts of people should be classified as being vices or virtues. Being ethical entails a number of integrated moral aspects that revolves around the common moral law of doing good and avoiding what is evil. Personal Ethics Statement Based on my personal experience and learned life lessons, being ethical means having the correct moral standards and practices that guide ones behaviors and the actions taken in life thus making one to be able to constantly do what is right and avoid evil. Being ethical therefore means having the right thought, always being positive in life, and ensuring that one has the right attitude that would guide in ensuring that immoral behaviors that could harm other people’s lives either directly or indirectly are avoided at all cost. Ethics also involve individuals being able to accept the wrong things they do and be willing to change for the better. Being ethical, according to me, therefore involve being morally upright, having the morally accepted life values, and having the desire to serve other people through ones best use of mind, body, and spirit without being coerced to do so. Based on my life experience and the studies that I have previously conducted, I have come to learn that though religion is a vital aspect of the common moral law, being ethical involves more that being good to oneself. The life experience has also made me to understand the fact that ethics involves being in a position to be submissive to the higher authority and ensuring that one avoids doing what is immoral. The fact that people who do not harm other people physically, morally, or socially get to be appreciated and loved by others elaborates what being ethical really means – being good (Mackie 1990). Previously, I have been making ethical decisions based on the teachings I have received from my parents and teachers and through copying the positive aspects of my friends and other people around me. I have always strived to ensure that the decisions I make in life do not contravene the common moral law and other governing rules and regulations in society. This involves being just and ensuring that I make decisions that would have a long term benefits and enhance the common good of all humanity. My core believes and values are that all people are equal and that we all deserve to be treated equally by being accorded the respect we deserve as human beings. I also strongly believe that the decisions we make in life should constantly be guided by the common moral law of doing good and avoiding evil rather than our self interest. Since I always strive to ensure that I accord other people fair treatment and mutual respect, I always expect to receive similar fair treatment and to be appreciated for the good things I do. Furthermore, I do not expect favors from other people but rather expect to be corrected whenever I do wrong. For instance, whenever I do favor to other people such as giving them medication when they fall seek, I always expect to be thanked and not to be given a token in return. This is illustrated by the fact that whenever my neighbors and friends are in need of food or tuition fees, I have always strived to ensure that I share with them the food I have or help them get the money, if I can, and I do not demand repayment to be made. Conclusion According to Mackie (1990), ethical standards are crucial in reinforcing the practice of the morally upright behaviors and acts in society. Courage is important for people to constantly act in an ethical way. Good personal and interpersonal leadership and management skills help individuals to make morally upright decisions without thinking of one’s self interest. For instance, treating customers with respect and wide acceptance improve business performance. References Vendemiati, A. (2004). In First Person, The outline of Ethics, The general perspective, Rome, The Urbaniana, The University Press. Mackie, L. J. (1990). Ethics: The Invention of the Wrong and the Right. London, Penguin. ISBN: 0-14-013558-8.

Of Mice and Men Essay example -- English Literature

Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck’s novel ‘Of Mice and Men’ is one of those books which make you believe everything that takes place between the covers. Books like these always remain as classics, because of their very informative and believable stories. John Steinbeck especially excels in this, and therefore is the reason I have chosen this book to describe. ‘Of Mice and Men’, the title of the novel, originates from the poem ‘To a Mouse’, by Robert Burns. It means that no matter what you plan to do in the future, something will always go wrong. It comes from the line ‘†¦the best laid schemes o’ Mice and Men, Gang aft agley’. The title of the book was originally ‘Something that Happened’, as the story is about what actually happened, not what should or could happen (at least to John Steinbeck). This is always at the back of the readers mind. During 1919 until 1926 (while Steinbeck was at college), he took up a few manual, and unskilled jobs, one being where he became a farm labourer on ranches between King City, and Santa Clara in Northern California. These experiences seem to have helped Steinbeck create the setting for his novel (‘Of Mice and Men’). He uses two main settings throughout the story; Curley’s father’s ranch, and rural California. Most of the story is set in and around the ranch, which allowed Steinbeck to contain all of the important events in one place. Steinbeck has written the novel in third-person, which allows him to tell the reader each characters point of view. He describes the setting around the characters in such a way that when the characters are doing or saying something, you can literally picture it in your head. He has also made all the characters in the novel talk America... ... the ranch. He wants to be able to enter the bunkhouse, or play cards with the other men. In conclusion, I believe that this book provides a very powerful impact to the reader, the main reason being because it shows how real life actually was in America at that time. It tells of how coloured people were treated differently, how women were looked upon as second class, and also how cruel real life can actually be. If say, the ending of the story was altered, where Lennie lived, and everyone lived happily ever after, you would not be able to appreciate it as much. The reason being, that life doesn’t always have a happy ending. Things never turn out the way you want them to. No matter how hard you try, events occur which can alter your hopes and your dreams. This book shows the message very loud and clear, and certainly provided a powerful impact to myself.

Homosexuality in America

Despite the United States progress toward homosexual liberation in the past few years, anti-gay and lesbian attitudes are still showing their ugly faces. Violence towards homosexuals is on the rise, conversion groups are popping up everywhere, conflict over homosexuality innateness is high, religious and personal discrimination is rampant: all this in a time when more and more gays and lesbians are coming out and their coming out at younger ages. It is a time in America when we need to support the homosexual community. Jamie Nabozny, now an openly gay man, was a troubled teenager who ttempted suicide three times and had frequently stayed in psychiatric wards. In high school he was tortured with emotional and physical violence from his peers. On one occasion in his freshmen year, two boys attacked him in the bathroom. He fell into the urinal and the boys proceeded to urinate on him. I just remember sitting there, waiting for it to get over with, recalled Nabozny (Jerome, 1). The school did nothing to prevent the harassment. Later, in his junior year, he was beaten so severely that he had to undergo exploratory abdominal surgery. Nabozny decided to sue the school district. The case was thrown out, but when he appealed to the federal courts, they decided a school could be sued for not preventing harassment. The district settled out of court, paying Nabozny $900,000 (Jerome, 5). Willi Wagner, a gay teenager who came out in ninth grade, was also harassed. Most of the time the abuse was verbal, and he was always ready with a comeback. Theyd call me a faggot and Id call them a hick, Wagner said. However, things did become violent. When Wagner and some friends were walking down the street, two vehicles stopped beside them and eight boys jumped out. Five of the boys formed a circle around Wagner, while the others beat him, leaving him with two black eyes, a broken nose and many bruises. I could feel my nose crack. It wasnt a good feeling, Wagner said of the incident. Two of the boys were put on probation for the incident; not near enough punishment for the crime (Jerome, 3). Incidents like these are quite common. In fact, one study showed that while the overall crime rate decreased four percent, anti-gay crimes rose seven percent (Peyser, 1). Another study, conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Education, found that, for homosexuals, the igh school years are filled with abuse, some of it self-inflicted. Gay and lesbian teenagers are five times more likely to use cocaine or skip school out of fear for safety than straight kids. Over thirty six percent of homosexual teens will attempt suicide each year (Jerome, 1). Conversion groups, usually run by religious denominations, are becoming more widespread. The goal of these groups is to convert homosexuals into heterosexuals, and in the meantime save them from the pits of hell. Conversion groups thrive on the idea that homosexuality is a choice, something about a person that can be changed. Some programs include butching up the men and feminizing the women. This is done by taking the males to sporting events and having make-up or shopping parties for females, or by pairing them with heterosexual mentors to show them the way to act. Others have gays and lesbians imagine members of the same sex as diseased, or perform exorcisms.. These programs say they have about a one-third success rate, success being when a homosexual is cured, that is when he or she no longer acts on urges (Schoofs, 2). Often, however, these therapies end up doing more harm than good, as hey did for Jeffrey Coates. He had been raised to believe that gay men go to hell. So after his first sexual experience with a man, Coates joined a twenty week conversion program called Desert Stream. He was recognized for making excellent progress in his group, even though he admitted that he felt absolutely no different inside.. He continued to try to become heterosexual until he finally decided suicide was less of a sin than same-sex relationships. He drank heavily one night and drove home on a narrow road, hoping to drive into the canyon. Fortunately, he made it home alive (Schoofs, 1). Now Coates is comfortable with his sexuality and does not regret his conversion experience merely because it helped him come to terms with himself. Another man, Brandon Bauer, could not be accepted as gay by his Mormon peers. He attempted suicide at age seventeen, and soon after, he was admitted into therapy under a Mormon psychologist. He told Bauer that he was under Satans influence, that Satan was making him believe that he could not change. Bauers parents were instructed to remove all magazines that might contain male underwear models and to time his showers to prevent im from masturbating. He was told that God could forgive a murderer, but He could never forgive a homosexual. It haunts me to this day, he said. Bauer began to live a double life, one as a heterosexual with kids and a wife, and another as a homosexual who drinks and has sex. Despite the fact that he now accepts his sexuality, he admits that conversion therapy has permanently scarred him (Schoofs, 3). Many people wonder if these therapies actually work. This issue was addressed by Ariel Shidlo and Michael Schroeder, two New York psychologists. In their study, they found that five out of one hundred and fifty people tested are happy with their conversion, but each of these people still have homosexual urges (Miller, 2). It may be concluded that homosexuals are not cured but merely suppressing their feelings. Often, as in the case of Kelly Kirby, the attendees end up meeting their future partners at the conversion meetings (Schoofs, 4). These ministries actually act as a transition place for many people to come out and accept their gayness, says Jeffrey Coates (Schoofs, 5). The gay curing movement is spreading because of actions like the Christian Coalition and the Family Research Councils joint effort in launching a $200,000 ad campaign. The full-page ads feature photographs of ex-gays, talk about the physical and spiritual consequences of sin and offer the solution of conversion therapy. This kinder, gentler homophobia was the brainchild of Janet Folger, who on Nightline, confessed to supporting laws that criminalize homosexual sex, proving to some the true anti-gay hate behind the facade of Christian love (Schoofs, 1). In a study administered by Gallup, only thirteen percent of Americans onsidered homosexuality as innate in 1977. By 1996, that number had climbed to thirty one percent. The study also found that Americans are twice as likely to accept homosexuality if they believe it was not a choice (Schoofs, 2). So, is it a choice Scientific evidence says no. The evidence we now have strongly suggests that this is determined. Its not purely genetic, but there doesnt seem to be any choice in the matter. One thing that is clear is that the brain of homosexuals and heterosexuals appear to be different. Studies suggest that homosexuals in many cases developed neurologically in a ay that made them more likely to become homosexual, reported University of Massachusetts (Amherst) professor of neuroscience Geert J. De Vries (Jerome, 2). More simply put, Ask some straight guy to imagine what it would be like if he was told, You cant love women and now youre going to have to love a guy. Tell em that, and then they get it, says Dave Lemon, a man who tried for years to become heterosexual (Schoofs, 2). If it were a choice, why would someone choose it Despite improvements in openness, such as the public coming out of Ellen Degeneres, many still say homosexuality is wrong. They might point to anatomy. Our bodies are not made for homosexual sex, says Michael Johnston, president of the Kerusso Ministry, The anus was not to be penetrated (Schoofs, 3). What most people dont seem to realize is that many heterosexuals practice anal sex, and that many gay men (not to mention lesbians) never do. Joseph Nicolosi, cofounder of NARTH, a secular psychological organization, said, I think the penis was made for a vagina: I dont think it was made for another mans rectum. When Nicolosi was asked if the penis was made for the hand or the mouth, other body arts where the penis is often found, he answered sharply, I dont want to get into that (Schoofs, 4). Some insist it is morally wrong or they point to the Bible, taking the Scripture literally, and say it is a sin. Many believe marriage and relationships are to be between a man and a woman. Some Americans are concerned that the homosexual community will encourage their children to be gay or lesbian. The Boy Scouts recently fought to ban gay scoutmasters. Scout spokesman Gregg Sheilds said, A homosexual is not a role model for traditional family values (Peyser, 2). As for the religious iscrimination, The gay and lesbian community is still the community you can blatantly attack and then hide behind the Bible, said Rebecca Isaacs, political director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (Revival of Hatred, 1). America is currently in a period of backward thinking, the one step back after our two steps forward. Tolerance is the only way the United States can become united at all. We must overcome our differences, end discrimination and join this fight together. No one deserves to be mistreated as homosexuals are today. Remember that all men were created equal- even gay men.

Persuasive Essay On Homeschooling - 1609 Words

Homeschooling is not a new concept to the United States, and for many centuries it was the only way for children to get an education. Many of our founding fathers were homeschooled, proving there is nothing wrong with homeschooling, and to this day it continues to provide children with an adequate education. Many parents believe that public school is satisfactory. However, they feel that homeschooling is a better option because it provides a safer environment for their children and more conducive to learning. Homeschooling is an effective method of education as homeschooled students continue to score high marks on national tests, interact socially with other students in all kinds of activities, achieve success in college, and become†¦show more content†¦Town leaders were instructed to watch over their neighbors, and if children were persistently neglected an education, they were to be removed from their homes. In 1647, the General Court of Massachusetts passed a more comp rehensive law requiring all towns to provide a school to teach children. The schools were located around the town so as no children had to travel more than one to two miles to attend school. During that time, a public school did not necessarily mean free. Some students were required to pay part of the cost by paying tuition, providing wood for the school, or lodging for the schoolmaster. Between 1867 and 1918 all states had passed compulsory school attendance laws. By the 1920’s, there were two significant Supreme Court decisions that curtailed the influence of compulsory attendance and would help to legalize the modern home school movement years later (Gatto 2001). In 1923, the Court ruled in Myer vs. Nebraska case that the state’s right over education is not absolute and in 1925 the Court, in Pierce vs. Society of Sisters, said Oregon parents could not be denied their own schools to teach their children (Gatto 2001). By the late 1960’s, the rise of the hippie culture brought back the concept of homeschooling. Hippies rebelled against everything and this included education. The 1970’s brought about the BiblicalShow MoreRelatedPersuasive Essay Homeschooling923 Words   |  4 Pageseffective style of school called homeschooling has emerged. Most of todays parents have gone to a public school because homeschooling was not very well know n back when they were school aged. Since then, homeschooling has become much more popular and has been proven to be effective. Parents should consider homeschooling their kids as an alternative to sending them to a public school. While public schooling is the traditional way of receiving education, homeschooling is an alternative that must beRead MorePersuasive Essay On Homeschooling831 Words   |  4 PagesHomeschooling refers to the procedure of teaching kids from home instead of sending them to public or private schools. This is when they are taught by parents, brothers, sisters, a neighborhood friend, or online. Homeschooling is not for everybody and as we will see later the pros and cons of homeschooling. People say it is good because there is not busy work all the work can be done in a few hours. Then, people say it is bad because parents or whoever is teaching has to be with the kids all theRead MoreHomeschooling Persuasive Essay1949 Words   |  8 Pagesstudents to go to school. There is public school, private school, charter school, contract school, and home schools. The question on many people’s minds is â€Å"Why home schooling over any other schooling?† Since 1970s there has been a dramatic growth in homeschooling for student’s kindergarten to twelfth grade students. Although White gives effective arguments, and includes no obvious recall of evidence, she builds her credentials from subjects who have personally experiences, controversial evidence, and thenRead MoreHomeschooling outline persuasive speech Essay860 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Persuasive Speech Outline on Homeschooling General Purpose: I want to persuade my audience Specific Goal: I would like the audience to understand the advantage of why I strongly believe homeschooling is beneficial. Thesis: Homeschooling environment is an effective approach in education due to evidence of higher achievement on placement tests, success through college, engaged socially with activities outside homes, and students becoming active members of society. Organization Pattern: (StatementRead MorePhilosophy of Education Essays1644 Words   |  7 Pagesspin on the role of school in society is homeschooling. I think it has many good and bad features. One great aspect of homeschooling is it makes parents feel that their child is in a safe environment, and that they are able to shelter them from the things that they are exposed to in public schools. But, ironically, that is also the problem. Social development is a crucial part of any education, and in many cases, homeschooling hinders this. Homeschooling also allows children to have the freedom ofRead MoreThe Is Not Emotionally Healing Or Accepting Our Fate?990 Words   |  4 Pagesrewriting in academic essays and text. He sees this phrase as the best tool for writers to use when dealing with other people s ideas and motivations. There are steps you have to take to come to terms with someone else’s writing. First, you must define the project and what the purpose is. Without this key step, you do not really know what to come to terms with and are lost to the goals of the text to begin with. For example, if you read an essay about the benefits of homeschooling without defining the