28/07/2019

Lesson 1: Concept and Definition of Morals, Values,

Attitude & Ethics
Definition of Terms
Morality refers to social conventions about right and wrong that are so
Professional Ethics widely shared they become the basis for an established consensus.
However, individual view of what is moral may vary by age, cultural
group, ethnic background, religion, life experiences, education and
gender.

Example: if you witness a friend copy someone else’s answers

while taking an exam, you be caught in a conflict between loyalty
to your friend and the value of telling the truth.

Examples of Attitudes
An attitude is "a relatively enduring organization of beliefs, feelings, and
behavioural tendencies towards socially significant objects, groups, a. What you think, what you do, and what you feel is what forms
events or symbols" (Hogg & Vaughan) your attitude. For example, if a girls says, "I like dancing", it
represents positive thinking towards dancing. This attitude is formed
Attitudes are shaped by the interaction of situations, experiences and because she believes that she likes dancing, or feels happy while
values. All attitudes are learned, and our attitudes vary based on our dancing.
experiences and learning environment. One way in which our attitudes
are formed is through social learning, which involves the influences of
b. Another example, when someone says, "I hate working on project"
family, peers, colleagues, and institutions.
represents a negative attitude of that person towards the project. He either
Attitudes can be described in terms of three components. thinks so, or he believes that doing this work is boring.
* Affective component: this involves a person’s feelings / emotions
about the attitude object. For example: “I am scared of spiders”. Question: What do you think will be the reason/s in the cases above for
* Behavioral component: the way the attitude we have influences how developing the attitudes?
we act or behave. For example: “I will avoid spiders and scream if I see
one”.
* Cognitive component: this involves a person’s belief / knowledge
about an attitude object. For example: “I believe spiders are
dangerous”.

Value which came from the Latin root “valere” means to be “strong and Two Categories of Values
vigorous”. To be “valere” is to have vigor, the power to do a specific thing
which gives rise to an urgent demand to have it or to realize it. Rokeach divides values into instrumental
Values are the enduring beliefs that a specific mode of conduct or end state and terminal values.
of existence is personally or socially preferable to an opposite or converse
mode of conduct or end state of existence. Values are more difficult to Terminal values are values that are likely to
change or alter than are attitudes, although attitudes are based on values.
maintain a high priority throughout one’s life. These
Milton Rokeach defines values as having to do with modes of conduct often are goals that you want to accomplish during
and end of existence. your lifetime.
Once a value is internalized, it becomes, consciously or
unconsciously, a standard for: Instrumental values are based on the actions and
1. Guiding action
2. Developing and maintaining attitudes toward relevant objects and attitudes you have. According to Milton Rokeach,
situations instrumental values reflect the ways you prefer to
3. Justifying and judging the actions and attitudes of oneself and
those of others
behave.
4. Comparing self with others.

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 28/07/2019

Instrumental Values Terminal Values

(ways to get there)
Ambitious (hardworking, aspiring)
Broadminded (open-minded)
Capable (competent, effective)
Cheerful (lighthearted, joyful)
Clean (neat / tidy)
Courageous (standing up for beliefs)
Forgiving (willing to pardon others)
Helpful (working for others)
Honest (sincere, truthful)
Imaginative (daring, creative)
Independent (self-reliant)
Intellectual (intelligent, reflective)
Logical (affectionate, tender)
Obedient (dutiful, respectful)
Polite (courteous, well-mannered)
Responsible (dependable, reliable)
Self-controlled (restrained self-disciplined) True friendship (close companionship)
Self-directed (self-governing)
(Where you want to be)
A comfortable life (a prosperous life) Work values are more specific than personal values, and have direct
An exciting life (a stimulating, active life)
implications for behavior and attitudes in organizations. The work values
A sense of accomplishment (lasting
most relevant to individuals are achievement, concern for others, honesty,
contribution)
A world of peace (free of war and conflict) and fairness.
A world of beauty (nature and art)
Equality (brotherhood, equal opportunity) Cultural differences in values. Culture exerts a significant influence on
Family security (taking care of loved ones individuals’ values and the differences in values within various cultures
Freedom (independence, free choice) become increasingly important as workforce diversity broadens. Central
Happiness (being content) values such as loyalty, contribution, and authority can vary greatly from one
Inner harmony (freedom from inner culture to another, making it more important than ever that managers seek
conflict)
to understand, tolerate, and capitalize on those differences.
Mature love (sexual & spiritual intimacy)
National security (safety from attack)
Pleasure (an enjoyable life
Salvation (save, eternal life)
Self-respect (high self-esteem)
Social recognition (respect, admiration)
Wisdom (understanding life)

What is Ethics? Why do we need to study ethics?

Ethics comes from the Greek word ethos, meaning character. The Greece
believed that developing character would lead one not only to knowing the right
thing to do, but to actually doing the right things or living the right way of life.
Ethics has been defined in various ways.
* Some books define it as the theory of right conduct or the Philosophy of Morals
* Some consider the social implications of ethics, defining it as the standard
of character set by a particular society of men
* Some emphasize its evaluation of moral judgment, defining it as the study
of moral judgments
Ethical Behavior, this refers to behavior that is accepted as morally “good” and
“right” as opposed to “bad” and “wrong”
Organizational Ethics, these are moral principles that define right or wrong
behavior in organization.
According to Harold Titus, a well-known professor of Philosophy, we need to study
ethics for four reasons:
1. We live in a world where we must not only make decisions, but where there are
right ways and wrongs ways of doing things, and ethics should make it clear to us
why one act is better than another;
2. In order to have an orderly social life, we must have agreements, understandings,
principles, or rules of procedures;
3. Moral conduct and ethical system, both of the past and that of the present, must
be intelligently appraised and criticized;
4. Ethics seeks to point out to men the true values of life. It attempts to stimulate
moral sense, discover the true values of life, and inspire men to join in the quest
for these values.

Ten Commandments of computer ethics have been

Computer Ethics
When computers first began to be used in society at large, the
absence of ethical standards about their use and related
issued cased some problems. However, as their use became
widespread in every facet of our lives, discussion in computer
ethics resulted in some kind of a consensus. Today, many of
these rules have been formulated as laws, either national or
international. Computer crimes and computer fraud are now
common terms. There are laws against them, and everyone is
responsible for knowing what constitutes computer crime and
computer fraud.
defined by the Computer Ethics Institute
1. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people
2. Thou shalt not interfere with other people’s computer work
3. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people’s files
4. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal
5. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness
6. Thou shalt not use or copy software for which you have not paid
7. Thou shalt not use other people’s computer resources without authorization
8. Thou shalt not appropriate other people’s intellectual output
9. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you write

10. Thou shalt use a computer in ways that show consideration and respect