ETHICS means the inner guiding moral principles, values and beliefs that people use to analyze or interpret

a situation and then decide what is the right or appropriate way to behave. Ethics simply means the study of right or wrong behaviour; whether an action is fair, right or just. In business, ethical decisions are the application of moral and ethical principles to the market place and work place

GREEK ETHICS In this period, the man performed his duties as a citizen was regarded as a good man. According to Greek known as man is the measure of all things. He decides for himself what is right and what is wrong and there is no other standard. MEDIEVAL ETHICS Medieval philosophy refers to philosophy in Western Europe during the medieval period, the so called Middle Ages. More attention was given to the inner aspect of morality because of the spread of Christianity in Europe. It had changed the previous view of Greeks that ethics is a part of politics, but on the other hand, it encouraged to increase the inner aspect of morality.

MODERN ETHICS Individualism crest over priest's preaching and church's principle. Human freedom and human accomplishment were given more importance. There are different ethical theories or ethical frameworks in this period with which to approach ethical decisions. Relativistic ethics relativism proposes that ethics are relative to the persona, social and cultural circumstances in which one finds oneself. Relativism holds that every person has its own std that enables him to make choices.

e.g role relativism distinguishes between own private selves and public selves. (b) Absolute ethics Absolute theories of ethics establish rules or duties which must always be followed, irrespective of the circumstances. According to this, there is one universal and eternal, moral code, changing circumstances of different opinions make no difference.

Kantian ethics Immanuel kant's theory of ethics is considered deontological for several different reasons. First, Kant argues that to act in the morally right way, people must act from duty . Second, Kant argued that it was not the consequences of actions that make them right or wrong but the motives of the person who carries out the action TELEOLOGICAL THEORIES

This holds the view that rightness and wrongness of an action depends on its consequences or results. The word teleological is derived from Greek word Telos that refers to an end. It can be

Ethical egoism Ethical egoism (also called simply egoism) is the normative ethical position that moral agents ought to do what is in their own self-interest

(b) Utilitarianism or utilitarian theory Utilitarianism is an ethical theory holding that the proper course of action is the one that maximizes the overall "happiness. An action is good if it produces greatest amount of satisfaction for greatest number affected by the action.

VIRTUE ETHICS THEORY Virtue ethics is a broad term for theories that emphasize the role of character and virtue in moral philosophy rather than either doing ones duty or acting in order to bring about good consequences. A virtue ethicist is likely to give you this kind of moral advice: Act as a virtuous person would act in your situation. three major types of virtue ethics Individual character ethics justice, gratitude, sense of humor, self discipline Work character ethics competence, honesty, fairness, creativity

Professional character ethics impartiality, self regulation, trust, truthfulness This theory is based on the statement adhere to your conscience. This approach emphasis supporting character, development facilitating, participative decision making, foster win-win dispute resolutions and recognizing employee contribution

SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT ETHICS

This theory maintains that the nature of supportive framework for continuous improvement of ethical conduct determines the ethical value of action. Conclusion Ethics is the branch of study dealing with what is the proper course of action for man. It answers the question, "What do I do?" It is the study of right and wrong in human endeavors. It is our means of deciding a course of action. The various theories of ethics gives us a common std of value to which all the actions and goals can compared to.