Ethics of Character

When we think of the word ethics, what does the term generally refer to? It is an often misconstrued part of our vocabulary that can be defined differently by everyone. Many people believe that it has to do with their feelings in association with what is right and what is wrong. Others believe that it involves the standards of behavior that our society accepts. In fact, being ethical has nothing to do with one’s feelings or society.

However, ethics, does in fact, refer to the popular debate of right and wrong. Being ethical has more to do with straying away from what is wrong. When the question of what type of person should you be arises in one’s head, as it ever so often does, having an ethical standpoint about this question is a great place to start.

In reference to ethics, when you are trying to be the best person you can be, there are many things that you must concern yourself with. Throughout life we are faced with many decisions. Some of these decisions will be simple, whereas others will not. These decisions will test us morally, mentally, and ethically. Making the right decision is often the hardest part of growing up. However, knowing what the right decision is often harder.

Ethics refers to the way we “should” act and the things we “should” do, in regards to virtues, obligations, and rights. Ethics pertains to obligations to stray from doing acts such as murder, theft, and rape. The standards of ethics are well founded standards such as standards of the right to freedom of injury and the right to life. These are standards of ethics also because they are consistent.

Trying to decide what kind of person one should be may seem like an easy task, when in fact, it can be quite difficult for some individuals, especially those who are growing up and still discovering themselves.

The movie, “The Emperor’s Club” depicts various individuals who experience several ethical decisions that they must make. They are faced with these choices of right and wrong as so many of us are in real life each day.

Mr. Hundert is extremely displeased almost instantly as he meets Sedewick when he first attends the teacher’s class. Sedgewick is rude, impolite, and insistent on passing his unethical ways onto his peers. For example, he thinks that it is perfectly fine to bring pornographic material in class. In doing so, he ignores any ethical decision making. Perhaps he could’ve asked himself whether this was right or wrong. Maybe he did realize that it was wrong but still decided to do it anyway. If this is so, then his decision was highly unethical because he knew that it was wrong to begin with.