ETHICAL VALUES

1. Ethical values

Professional ethics helps to reveal, support, and strengthen certain fundamental human values. Examples of values include kindness, care and compassion, trust and reliability, justice and fairness, duty to others, non-violence and harm reduction, accountability, and social responsibility.

There are three types of human values embedded in the profession:

1) Human values on which the profession is based;

2) Professional values;

3) Moral values.

All three of these values are interactive. The result of such interaction can be positive when they reinforce each other, align in the same direction, and strengthen social and ethical values. This can be referred to as cooperative interaction.

However, the interaction can also be contradictory, leading to a clash of values, which may disrupt social cohesion, causing conflicts and tension. Another possible outcome of the interaction of these values is a situation of cooperative conflict. In such cases, the parties involved in the initial value conflicts can resolve them peacefully through collaboration, and all will benefit from a mutually beneficial situation that maximizes their goal achievement.

Practical task. Complete the test below to assess whether your decisions would be ethical in the given situations.

1.1. Human / Personal Values

Core values are the guiding principles or ideals that shape an individual's personal ethics, influencing decision-making, relationship-building, and problem-solving. Identifying significant values can greatly enhance personal growth and help achieve both personal and professional goals.

Practical task 1. Think what values guide your life? Choose the three most important values from the provided list and discuss them with colleagues, friends, or family members:

TRUTH; FRIENDSHIP; HONESTY; LOVE; WEALTH; HEALTH; EDUCATION; FAMILY; SECURITY; IMPROVEMENT.

Practical task 2. Answer the questions:

1.2. Professional values

Professional values encompass traits that many leaders look for in their employees. Professional values are character traits demonstrated in the workplace that indicate an employee's success. Furthermore, these professional values often include soft skills and behaviors that are necessary for career advancement. For example, the ability to adapt your communication style among different groups or teams demonstrates a flexible and adaptable personality, which can positively influence others' perceptions of the employee in the workplace. Many of the same values can be found in both personal ethics and professional settings.

Responsibility is one of the key professional values. Professional responsibility is a broad term that encompasses the duties and obligations of professionals across various fields to ensure the quality and ethics of their activities. This responsibility relates to the behavior, competence, and ability of professionals to adhere to professional standards and legal requirements. Responsibility is considered a valuable skill in various contexts, including personal and professional environments. Responsibility involves the ability to take accountability for tasks and actions, demonstrate accountability, and fulfill commitments. Organizations are rewarded for their responsibility and are referred to as socially responsible.

Key aspects of professional responsibility include:

Practical task. Assign (use drag and drp technique) the following values to the appropriate column based on their title:

Integrity, Quality, Professionalism, Responsibility, Respect, Loyalty, Empathy, Collaboration, Innovation, Love, Justice, and Altruism

Regardless of the profession, the core idea of professional responsibility is to ensure that professionals provide high-quality services, adhere to ethical and legal requirements, and are accountable for their actions.

1.3. Moral values

Values accompany us every day—they help us distinguish good from evil and evaluate everything according to our value system, which has been shaped by our parents and has evolved over time through various systems and regimes. With the help of values, we move forward, plan, and create our future.

Here are some examples of moral values:

Practical task. Reflect on these questions yourself, and also ask your friends, family members, or colleagues for their opinions:

1. What does conscience mean to you? Is it meaningful to talk about honesty? Why?
2. Provide examples of "honest business" and "dishonest business" in Lithuania.
3. We often hear the terms "clear conscience" or "clean conscience." How would you explain these concepts? Do you use them often in conversations with people? What do they mean to you?

Practical task 2. What values guide your life? From the list of values below, choose the three most important to you and discuss them with your friends or family members:

• Pleasure - Truth - Friendship - Integrity - Love - Wealth - Health - Education - Family - Safety - Personal development -

Practical task 3. Conduct a case analysis: