The world needs ethical people, people with integrity. There is no effective societal relationships be it financial, political, or personal without them built on a foundation of trust. Trust requires integrity or ethics. We can contribute significantly to the world simply by living with integrity and helping others to do the same.
Integrity¶
Tad Callister spoke on the importance of integrity on “Becoming Men and Women of Integrity.” Elder Tad Callister defines integrity as a state of purity in mind and heart, devoid of deceit, excuses, rationalizations, or any misrepresentation of facts. It entails absolute honesty with oneself, God, and fellow human beings. It involves making decisions based on eternal implications and necessitates disclosing the complete truth without any alibis or excuses. Furthermore, integrity demands keeping covenants and commitments, even in inconvenient times, and being internally driven, not governed by the presence of others. He urges listeners to embrace integrity not out of obligation but out of genuine desire, highlighting the Lord’s acceptance of those who strive to live with integrity.
There is nothing so delightful as the hearing, or the speaking of truch. For this reason, there is no conversation so agreeable as that of the man of integrity, who hears without any intention to betray, and speaks without any intention to deceive. - Plato
Ethics Approaches¶
Ethics Approach: Utilitarianism
The greatest good for the greatest number of people
The ends might justify the means
The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few
Ethics Approach: Deontology (Duty)
Universal moral laws that can be applied to everyone
Doing the right thing is more important than the outcome
Double effect: the outcome of an action can be good or bad, but the action itself should be good (torture is bad, even if it is used to save lives)
Obedience > Sacrifice 1 Sam. 15:22
Ethics Approach: Virtue Ethics
Focuses on the character of the person
Actions judged on if a virtuous person would do them
Virtues include: honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, fidelity, integrity, fairness, self-control, and prudence
Ethics Approach: Contractarianism
It is unethical to break a contract
Contracts can form the backbone of society
Example of Jesus Christ by Words of Prophets
First and Second Great Commandments
Keep the 10 commandments
Make and keep covenants with God through authorized ordinances
Seek for and follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost
Individuals are expected to apply the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ to their own lives and make their own decisions
We will be accountable for our own decisions and actions
BYU Honor Code¶
Some Honor Code Commitments
Sections of the BYU Honor Code are given below. I have emphasized some of the wording.
Represent the Savior Jesus Christ, the Church, and the Church Educational System.
Preserve an inspiring environment, without distraction or disruption, where covenants are kept in a spirit of unity so the Holy Ghost can teach truth.
Live a chaste and virtuous life.
Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, vaping, marijuana, and other substance abuse.
Participate regularly in Church services
Respect others
Obey the law.
Encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code.
The above are only some of the commitments of the BYU Honor Code.
AIChE Code of Ethics¶
Some AIChE Code of Ethics Principles
Sections of the AIChE Code of Ethics are given below. I have emphasized some of the wording.
Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and protect the environment in performance of their professional duties.
Accept responsibility for their actions, seek and heed critical review of their work, and offer objective criticism of the work of others.
Act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, avoiding conflicts of interest and never breaching confidentiality.
Perform professional services only in areas of their competence.
Build their professional reputations on the merits of their services.
Continue their professional development throughout their careers, and provide opportunities for the professional development of those under their supervision.
The above are only some of the expectations when upholding the AIChE code of ethics.
Commonly Used Justifications for Unethical Behavior¶
2 Nephi 28:8-11¶
And there shall also be many which shall say ... fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is gno harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.
Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark.
And the blood of the saints shall cry from the ground against them.
Yea, they have ... gone out of the away; they have become corrupted.
Justifications
Lost revenue
Lost position
Lost reputation
Revenge or sense of justice
Minimization of harm
Disagreement on what is ethical
Misunderstanding of the law or of truth
Ignorance
Subordinate following orders or directives
Rights over responsibility
Korihor (Alma 30:27)
Moral Relativism¶
Moral Relativism
Moral Relativism is the belief that there are no absolute truths. It is the belief that what is right or wrong is relative to the individual or the situation. It is the belief that there is no objective truth. It is the belief that there is no God. Often, ‘moral dilemmas’ are used to justify moral relativism in the sense that there may not be an obvious right or wrong answer.
Book of Mormon Counsel¶
Book of Mormon
“While society in general may believe that moral relativism is a sign of progress, the Book of Mormon contains examples and teachings that warn us of the dangers of replacing God’s commandments with our own relative moral standards.” Daniel Belnap
The Holy Ghost¶
“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting and constant influence of the Holy Ghost”
President Russell M. Nelson
The Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. (Jacob 4:13)
Scriptural Examples of Ethics and Integrity¶
Biblical Examples
Daniel and the lion’s den
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Joseph and Potiphar’s wife
Nephite Examples
Nephi and Laban
Abinadi and King Noah
Alma and Amulek
Moroni and Pahoran