The main difference between reflective personal morality and professional ethics is that reflective morality is their unique nature. Reflective morality involves the careful examination and evaluation of all moral issues and their origins. Personal morality refers to the principles and rules that individuals personally live by and believe to be morally right and sound. Professional ethics, on the other hand, are the guiding principles followed by or expected to be followed by the people in a certain profession.
Professional ethics are different from reflective morality or personal morality, and professional ethics of a particular profession applies to all professionals in that profession regardless of their personal morality.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Reflective Morality
– Definition, Nature
2. What is Personal Morality
– Definition, Nature
3. What are Professional Ethics
– Definition, Nature
4. Difference Between Reflective Personal Morality and Professional Ethics
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Reflective Morality, Personal Morality, Professional Ethics
What is Reflective Morality
Reflective morality involves reflective morals, which are morals that are based on what you believe to be right and not others. It involves the careful examination and evaluation of all moral issues and their origins – whether they are based on custom, tradition, or religion. Before an individual accepts and lives by these morals, it’s important to carefully analyze and critically evaluate all customs, traditions, religious beliefs, ethics, and rules. In fact, reflective morality is considered the best stage of development of morality in human society.
What is Personal Morality
Personal morality refers to the principles and rules individuals personally live by and believe to be morally right and sound. Each of us has a personal moral code. This may not be legally or ethically sound, but according to each of our moral values. Personal morality stems from an individual’s conscience. Personal morality can also differ from one person to another as what one person considers morally right may be different from another. For example, one person may think that being faithful to his or her spouse is essential in a marriage, while another may think that it is not essential, and there can be exceptions. These differences in personal morality are due to varied family backgrounds, educations, religion, and culture, which influence values and personal life choices.
Furthermore, personal morality affects all areas of our lives, including family, relationships, work, and finances. It may sometimes also overlap with common morality and ethics. For example, one may think that Euthanasia is acceptable while it may be unacceptable according to common morality.
What are Professional Ethics
Professional ethics are the guiding principles followed by or expected to be followed by the people in a certain profession. Every profession has its own set of rules, regulations, and principles. These are impersonal standards created by their profession. They are stated in codes and enforced by law. Moreover, these professional ethics can enable professionals to perform their work better. The Hippocratic Oath taken by doctors is an example of professional ethics. This is one of the professional ethics doctors have to follow before practising medicine.
Some ethics that apply to all professions in general include trustworthiness, adherence to the law, accountability, honesty, and respect for others. Moreover, ethics or professional standards apply to all professionals regardless of their personal morality.
Difference Between Reflective Personal Morality and Professional Ethics
Definition
Reflective morality involves the careful examination and evaluation of all moral issues and their origins while personal morality refers to the principles and rules that individuals personally live by and believe to be morally right and sound. Professional ethics, on the other hand, are the guiding principles followed by or expected to be followed by the people in a certain profession.
Context
Reflective morality is a broad categorization of morality. Personal morality refers to an individual’s moral code, while professional ethics refer to guidelines or principles professionals follow in their profession.
Conclusion
Reflective morality involves the careful examination and evaluation of all moral issues and their origins while personal morality refers to the principles and rules individuals personally live by and believe to be morally right and sound. Professional ethics, on the other hand, are the guiding principles professionals in a certain profession follow.
Reference:
1. “What Are Professional Ethics? Examples and Types.” Marketing91, 6 May 2020.
2. “Personal Moral Code: Definition & Examples.” Study.com.
Image Courtesy:
1. “1639989” (CC0) via Pxhere
2. “Professional people” (CC0) via Free SVG
Leave a Reply