Ethics
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1
1
Motivation
• Ethics are rules of
conduct.
• Today, you'll learn
about
• Making ethical
decisions
• The U.S. Air Force’s
core values
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
2
Lesson overview
• What are personal standards?
• What is a value system?
• What are the core values of the U.S. Air
Force?
• How are morals and ethics defined?
• What are cultural rules?
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
3
Lesson overview (cont’d)
•
•
•
•
•
How are ethical decisions made?
What are the traits of an ethical person?
What are the ethical traits of leaders?
What are moral courage and maturity?
What is a personal code of conduct?
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
4
Quick Write
Jot down three
personal guidelines
you would use to
decide whether it
would be right or
wrong to take a
specific action.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
5
What is ethics?
• Ethics
• Branch of philosophy
• Rules of conduct
• Study of people’s most basic beliefs
• Ethics deals with the struggle between good
and evil.
• Conduct—a key word when discussing ethics
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
6
What is ethics? (cont’d)
• Four basic rules of ethics have endured.
• Do good; avoid evil.
• Be fair and equitable.
• Respect the dignity of all people.
• Be autonomous (self-governing).
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
7
What is ethics? (cont’d)
• Guidelines derived from the four basic
rules of ethics
• Be honest.
• Keep promises.
• Obey and be loyal to proper authorities.
• Be courageous.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
8
What is ethics? (cont’d)
•
•
•
•
•
Grow in knowledge.
Be willing to work.
Be moderate.
Maintain and enhance your health.
Do not harm people.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
9
What is ethics? (cont’d)
• Habits
• Most of our moral beliefs are based on habits
we learned as children.
• Habits can affect reputation, social status,
finances, and overall sense of well-being.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
10
What is ethics? (cont’d)
• Not all habits are right.
• Habits are right when they are ways of
helping ourselves and others.
• Good habits help us develop our best
potential and respect people’s basic rights.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
11
What is ethics? (cont’d)
• Decisions seemingly unrelated to ethics may
have an ethical aspect.
• Scientists mix harmless chemicals to create
disposable plastic containers.
• This is helpful for restaurants for take-out service.
• But plastic may harm the environment.
• Ethical dilemma: which do we value more?
• The convenience of the disposable containers
• The environment
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
12
What is a value system?
• Value system
• Set of ideals, beliefs, interests, likes, dislikes
• Ideals we use every day to make decisions
• Involves freely chosen behavior
• Involves beliefs that are very personal to
each of us
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
13
What is a value system?
• Our military has its own set of values.
• Applies to all members of the Air Force
family
• The core values of the U.S. Air Force are
Integrity First, Service before Self, and
Excellence in All We Do.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
14
What is a value system?
(cont’d)
• Integrity First
• Willingness to do right even when no one is looking
• Moral compass, inner voice of self-control
• Basis for the trust needed in today’s military
• Service before Self
• Professional duties over personal desires
• Excellence in All We Do
• Passion for continuous improvement and innovation
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
15
What is a value system?
(cont’d)
• Four types of values
• Personal
• Prudent
• Conventional
• Moral
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
16
What is a value system?
(cont’d)
• Personal: guiding our conduct
• Prudent: serving our best interests
• Conventional: generally accepted and
enforced
• Moral: rooted in a comprehensive view of
human life
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
17
How are morals and ethics
defined?
• Ethics
• Set of accepted rules of conduct
• Written or stated
• Morals
• Refers to our behavior
• Often a substitute for the word ethics
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
18
How are morals and ethics
defined? (cont’d)
• Moral code of Western society
• Based on Greek and Roman philosophy
• Based on the Judeo-Christian ethic
• The Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule
• Rules have evolved over thousands of years.
• Some rules take the form of laws.
• Laws against murder and arson
• Others are moral standards.
• Laws against breaking promises or gossiping
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
19
What are cultural rules?
• Every culture has morals, values, and a
concept of basic human rights.
• Customs, habits, and institutions vary from
one culture to another.
• What is right in one culture may be
considered wrong in another.
• Groups, such as family, school, and JROTC,
also set moral codes.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
20
How are ethical decisions
made?
• Systematic process for making tough
decisions
• Consider all the facts.
• Determine the moral values or obligations at stake.
• Act or make decisions in light of your knowledge of
the values and facts.
• Be respectful of the life and well-being of all
people.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
21
How are ethical decisions
made? (cont’d)
• Universal norms—the normal beliefs of people in
most cultures
• All cultures do not look at the same actions in the same way.
• Without rules or norms, institutions would crumble.
• Non-universal norms—norms that do not carry
universal moral obligations
• These include duties specific to one’s religion.
• One should not impose personal obligations on others.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
22
How are ethical decisions
made? (cont’d)
•
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(UN adopted in 1948)
• Every citizen of every nation has the right to
• Life, liberty, and freedom from personal attack
• Freedom from slavery
• Recognition before the law
• Presumption of innocence until proven guilty
• Freedom from torture
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
23
How are ethical decisions
made? (cont’d)
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Freedom of conscience and religion
Freedom of expression
Privacy, family, and correspondence
Freedom to participate freely in
community life
• Education
• A standard of living adequate for health
and well-being
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
24
How are ethical decisions
made? (cont’d)
• Values are also used to make decisions.
• Values can be at odds with each other.
• Spend tax dollars for defense or social
programs?
• Decisions should be based on doing the most
good.
• Greatest value for military is the public good.
• Personal values may conflict.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
25
How are ethical decisions
made? (cont’d)
• What are situational ethics?
• The circumstances of a situation help form
the basis for deciding what is right or wrong.
• What is appropriate in this situation?
• What is fitting in this case?
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
26
How are ethical decisions
made? (cont’d)
• Example: If we were shot down behind
enemy lines, we might have to lie or steal to
survive.
• We might be forced to choose a course of
action that would violate our code of ethics
and our sense of values.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
27
What are the traits of an
ethical person?
• A person with a refined sense of ethics has
• Consideration for other people’s feelings and needs
• Integrity
• Honor
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
28
What are the ethical traits of
leaders?
• Leaders influence others to achieve goals.
• Leadership decisions are based on many factors.
• Each profession has a set of standards (moral or
otherwise).
• A leader’s actions must help accomplish the goals of
the organization.
• Right actions, or right choices, build confidence and
self-respect and earn the respect of those affected by
the actions.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
29
What are the ethical traits of
leaders? (cont’d)
•
Twelve questions to help you make right
choices
• If I do what I’m thinking of doing, would I be
willing to have my action enacted into law and
required of everyone?
• If I am considering using someone else for my
own personal gain, would I allow myself to be
used in the same way?
• Would I be willing to explain to a jury why I
chose this action?
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
30
What are the ethical traits of
leaders? (cont’d)
• Would I do this if I knew it would be on the
television news tonight?
• What would I think of this action if it were done by
my worst enemy?
• If my reason for acting this way is that everyone
else does it, would I do it if no one else did it?
• Would I do this if I knew I would have to explain
my reasons to my family?
• Would I be content with this action if it were taken
by my boss or a member of my family?
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
31
What are the ethical traits of
leaders? (cont’d)
• Would I be content to have each of my followers
behave exactly as I intend to in this situation?
• My team could win the game by violating a rule.
Before I call this play, would I be upset if the other
team took the same action?
• If what I do hurts no one very much, would I be
willing to let everyone do the same thing?
• If there is very little harm in what I want to do, what
kind of person will I become if it gets to be a habit?
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
32
What are moral courage and
maturity?
• Vice Admiral William P. Lawrence
defined moral courage this way:
• To know right from wrong
• To possess a firm set of values
• To possess the strength to live by those
values and do what is right regardless of
the consequences
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
33
What are moral courage and
maturity? (cont’d)
• Cadets already possess
• A conscience
• A sense of justice
• A personal code of conduct
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
34
What are moral courage and
maturity? (cont’d)
• Conscience—the awareness of a desire to act
properly and the awareness of guilt when
improper actions are committed or intended
• Is not automatic
• Is the product of knowledge and intelligence
• Is strengthened as knowledge increases and we
become more sensitive to human values
• Strengthens our moral courage
• Allows us to be confident without being rigid and
overbearing
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
35
What is a personal code of
conduct?
• A personal code of conduct is a list of reminders that
causes us to practice right behavior.
• State rules positively.
• Use “I will” statements.
• Living by a code of good conduct has its rewards.
• Developing good habits
• Fewer occasions to have to apologize
• Greater self-esteem
• The respect of others
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
36
Lesson review
• Personal standards are decisions based
on ethics.
• Ethics consists of the rules of conduct
that people should follow.
• A value system consists of our set of
ideals, beliefs, interests, likes, and
dislikes that we use every day to make
decisions.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
37
Lesson review (cont’d)
• The core values of the U.S Air Force are
Integrity First, Service before Self, and
Excellence in All We Do.
• The word morals is another word for
ethics.
• There is a systematic process to help
you make ethical decisions.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
38
Lesson review (cont’d)
• Universal norms are the normal beliefs
of people in most cultures.
• In 1948, the United Nations adopted the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• Traits of an ethical person are integrity,
honor, and consideration for other
people's feelings and needs.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
39
Lesson review (cont’d)
• Leaders are admired for their ability to
motivate others to achieve goals.
• Moral courage is knowing right from
wrong; having a firm set of values; and
having the strength to live by those
values and do what is right regardless
of the consequences.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
40
Lesson review (cont’d)
• The key to developing moral courage
and maturity is the ability to set goals
and achieve them.
• A personal code of conduct is a list of
reminders that causes us to practice
right behavior.
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
41
Summary
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
What are personal standards?
What is a value system?
What are the core values of the U.S. Air Force?
How are morals and ethics defined?
What are cultural rules?
How are ethical decisions made?
What are the traits of an ethical person?
What are the ethical traits of leaders?
What are moral courage and maturity?
What is a personal code of conduct?
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
42
Next
Done— Ethics
Next— Common courtesies and
etiquette
Introduction to Air Force
Junior ROTC
Lesson 5, Chapter 1, Ethics
43