Three definitions of ethics
Definition #3: Ethics focuses on the care for the soul.
Comment: I will be using here a very specific, even extreme (debatable) example, just to differentiate it from other definition of Ethics. For me, the definition of Ethics from this example is purely religious and spiritual that challenges your set of beliefs. And this is apart from what the laws of the land says, which caters to other definition of Ethics (Definition #5).
Example: In our church, giving tithes (10% of your income) is expressly requested to members. This is to support the general church administration and its ministries. Looking at it, this is fair and square because our pastors receive regular and handsome pay for their services to the church. Besides, the congregation will get basic pastoral care services, all for free, like wedding, child dedication, baptism for adult, regular visitation, and other secular services like job referral and self-development training on leadership, entrepreneurship, etc. For me, not giving your tithes (which is also biblical, debatable may seem) is unethical considering all the free services you will receive as member of the church.
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Definition #5: Ethics is the study of philosophy of human conduct with emphasis on the determination of right and wrong.
Comment: This is an easy example because whatever is wrong and illegal is also unethical. This is basically based from the laws of the land.
Example: Making yourself an extended or additional cable TV connection when you pay for one connection only. You may not get caught (not immediately) to consummate the hand of the law but it is still unethical thing to do.
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Definition #6: Ethics deals with the basic principles of right action especially with reference to a particular person, profession, and others.
Comment: This type of ethical norm is very specific to the pastoral profession.
Example: Our pastor always gives a real life example from his pastoral counseling to illustrate something to drive a point during his sermon. However, not to embarrass somebody, he always change names and even time setting so that the congregation will not recognize who is referring to. According to him, this is for him not to violate the “ministerial ethics”. That is, not disclosing what is confidential during counseling session.
Comment: I will be using here a very specific, even extreme (debatable) example, just to differentiate it from other definition of Ethics. For me, the definition of Ethics from this example is purely religious and spiritual that challenges your set of beliefs. And this is apart from what the laws of the land says, which caters to other definition of Ethics (Definition #5).
Example: In our church, giving tithes (10% of your income) is expressly requested to members. This is to support the general church administration and its ministries. Looking at it, this is fair and square because our pastors receive regular and handsome pay for their services to the church. Besides, the congregation will get basic pastoral care services, all for free, like wedding, child dedication, baptism for adult, regular visitation, and other secular services like job referral and self-development training on leadership, entrepreneurship, etc. For me, not giving your tithes (which is also biblical, debatable may seem) is unethical considering all the free services you will receive as member of the church.
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Definition #5: Ethics is the study of philosophy of human conduct with emphasis on the determination of right and wrong.
Comment: This is an easy example because whatever is wrong and illegal is also unethical. This is basically based from the laws of the land.
Example: Making yourself an extended or additional cable TV connection when you pay for one connection only. You may not get caught (not immediately) to consummate the hand of the law but it is still unethical thing to do.
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Definition #6: Ethics deals with the basic principles of right action especially with reference to a particular person, profession, and others.
Comment: This type of ethical norm is very specific to the pastoral profession.
Example: Our pastor always gives a real life example from his pastoral counseling to illustrate something to drive a point during his sermon. However, not to embarrass somebody, he always change names and even time setting so that the congregation will not recognize who is referring to. According to him, this is for him not to violate the “ministerial ethics”. That is, not disclosing what is confidential during counseling session.
posted by My Web Log at 3:08 PM
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