Singapore Arts Scene 2018 Semester 2

Individual Reflection 3 on Ethics and Morality

Group: G
Name: Uvahraaj S/O Anbarasan
Admission Number: F16MU0361

Please answer all the following questions. Each question requires you to write a minimum
of 1 to 2 sentences. If you feel the need to elaborate, then please limit your answer to
each question at a maximum of 150 words.

After completing the group assignment, do you understand the difference between ethics
and morality?

I would say I have a pretty good grasp of what the community of philosophers and
educators define as Ethics and Morality. Morality refers to the personal parameters of right
and wrong, while Ethics refers to an already existing code of conduct that people should live
by to be considered a ‘good’ or a ‘normal’ person.

Do you always behave consistently in alignment with your ethics and morals?

As an average person, I believe it takes a balance of both Ethics and Morality to make a
situationally error-free decision in life. What’s Ethically correct, might not be Morally
correct. This is a phrase that is almost always used when we talk about Ethics and Morality.
It is therefore a common understanding that it's difficult to consistently behave in alignment
with our own Ethics and Morals. “I’ll close one eye”,” to turn a blind eye”, and recently
especially in Singapore “I’ll close both eyes” are phrases we are all familiar with when it
comes to going “BY LEFT”. In a world built upon different Ethical and Moral values, it is
difficult to behave consistently with my Ethics and Morality.

Have you experienced situations when your ethics and morals are conflicted?

Unfortunately, I was placed in such a dilemma during the discussion and presentation of this
topic. As always, we split up the work. Due to one of my groupmate’s weaker command of
English, the rest of us are required to work more on her behalf. Morally I don’t think it’s a
problem as there’s nothing much she would be able to assist us with, so we just did the work
and gave her the simpler parts of introduction. I was grateful that she took the time to try and
learn the words. However, I don’t think it is ethically right for her to be getting the same
grades as the people who consistently do more work. Complaining about her would be the
ethically appropriate thing to do as she has not put in any amount work to help in the
discussion part of the project. Morally, it wouldn’t be right to complain to the lecturer as it
isn’t her fault she isn’t able to contribute to the Project.
How do you resolve your internal ethical and moral conflicts?

When I’m faced with such circumstances, thinking about long term effects of my decisions
and how i benefit from it has been my go-to method of resolution. For example, in my above-
mentioned Dilemma, if I had complained to the lecturer, the student might have been given
a lower grade for her presentation participation and it could possibly lead to her re-taking the
module. She might even realize that this is an important module and could put in more effort
to do better. As for myself, I wouldn’t particularly be affected in any way. On the other hand
If I don’t bring this up to the lecturer, she gets the same grades as the others and she would
have a higher chance of doing better for this module. As for me, I still wouldn’t be affected.
Thus, by looking at these situations, I came to the conclusion of not bringing up this matter. I
didn’t want to cause trouble to someone who need all the help she can get to move on. I’m
not getting anything out of this, why bother to make an effort to report her. This might make
me sound like a vile person but then again, this are be my own morals.

How do you work with people whom you realize have a different set of ethics and morals
from you?

When it comes to working, I follow 2 Ethical codes; following a set of plans/rules and
separating personal and working relationship. If I was the leader of the team, I would come
up with a work plan and the requirements of quality and quantity of our end product. By
setting such rules, people will be complied to follow them. Outside of work however, I would
treat them differently as compared to during work. Some might say its two-faced, I believe
the term is being professional. With this at hand, I would not need to worry about the person’s
ethics or morality as long as the work is completed in accordance with the pre-existing
requirements.

On the other hand, if I wasn’t the leader, I would simply follow his/her set of rules. If they do
not have any, I would form a strong working relationship, whereby I could suggest ideas which
would make the outcome be of a desirable standard. Ideas which include my set of 2
important rules.

What in your work or artistic practice will cause you to change your ethics or morals in the
future? Why?

This has been a question I’ve been asking myself for quite some time now. Financial security is
something that will change my morals and ethics in the future. At the beginning of this year, a few of
music directors of Schools offered me opportunities to teach their bands. When I received my very
first pay, I had a realisation; this could be my future. I love to perform, but if teaching brings in the
dough, should I continue to strive for performance excellence? To have a performance career, means
spending countless hours of effective and concentrated practice. Making good connections and
attending masterclasses overseas are also means of learning. This is both expensive and time
consuming. Time which I could utilise by accepting more teaching offers. If we go back to my method
of resolution, its ethically correct to invest in schools and teaching than in practicing as its a more
financially stable option. However would be a morally correct action to practice and improve myself
as this has been my dream for over a decade. This is something I’m still confused about and till now I
haven’t got the slightest clue on what I will do when this predicament catches up to me.

Congratulations! You have finished the assignment! Please submit this document through
Blackboard latest by 6pm 12th March 2018.