What are ethics? Give examples from Indian context?
Ethics refers to the moral principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity. They represent standards of behavior that guide our choices and allow us to distinguish between right and wrong, acceptable and unacceptable conduct. Good ethics is equated with adhering to strong moral principles, exhibiting integrity, honesty, fairness, compassion, and respect for others.
In the context of India, a diverse country with a wide array of socio-cultural nuances, ethics plays a significant role in various spheres of life. This article provides a comprehensive understanding of ethics with examples derived from the Indian context.
Personal Ethics: Personal ethics are distinct to an individual, shaped by upbringing, cultural context, life experiences, and personal beliefs. They are an embodiment of a person’s character and moral compass. For instance, in India, the value of ‘Ahimsa’ or non-violence – deeply ingrained in Indian culture and propagated by Mahatma Gandhi – can also be seen as a key personal ethic.
Professional Ethics: Professional ethics pertain to principles that guide behavior at workplaces. These can relate to confidentiality, equality, fairness and objectivity, among others. Indian companies often integrate these values into their mission and vision. For example, Infosys, a renowned Indian tech firm, emphasizes uncompromising dedication to values such as client value, leadership by example, and transparency.
Religious Ethics: India being a multicultural, multi-religious country, religious ethics hold a central role in people’s lives. Every religion proposes a framework of ethics and moral responsibilities that guide believers’ actions. Take Hinduism, for example- ethics in Hinduism revolve around the concepts of ‘Dharma’ (duty), ‘Artha’ (resources or material wealth), ‘Kama’ (desire, pleasure, love) and ‘Moksha’ (salvation), thus providing a broad perspective of life.
Environmental Ethics: With the growing awareness and concern for the environment, environmental ethics are gaining increasing prominence. Several movements in India, like the ‘Chipko Movement’, which aimed to prevent deforestation in the Uttarakhand region, demonstrated a commitment to these ethics.
Social Ethics: Social ethics is about how actions impact others in a community or society. India’s long struggle against social discrimination and the push for gender equality are examples of social ethics in action. ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ (Save the daughter, educate the daughter) initiative by the Indian government emphasizes the importance of girls’ rights to education and equality.
Medical Ethics: In the field of healthcare, medical ethics ensure the dignity, respect, and rights of a patient are protected. The Medical Council of India (MCI) has issued a code of ethics, mandating, among other things, regard for patients’ rights, maintaining confidentiality, and not discriminating while offering treatment.
In conclusion, ethics, as highlighted above, are moral principles that underpin personal, professional, religious, environmental, social, and medical conduct. They are a reflection of cultural, social, and personal values. In India, with its immense diversity and cultural wealth, the role of ethics is vital in maintaining harmony, respect, and empathy in society.
