Professional Ethics

GTU BE Sem-V Notes

Mid-Semester Exam Question Bank Solution

Q.1 Differentiate personal and professional ethics.

Ans.
Aspect Personal Ethics Professional Ethics

Definition Personal ethics refers to the moral Professional ethics refers to the set of
principles and values that guide an standards and principles that govern
individual's behavior and decisions in their behavior in a professional context or
personal life. work environment.

Source Derived from personal beliefs, upbringing, Established by professional

culture, religion and experiences. organizations, workplace guidelines and
industry standards.

Scope Covers all aspects of an individual's life, Specifically focused on the conduct
including personal relationships, daily expected in professional settings such
activities and societal roles. as a job, business or career.

Flexibility More flexible and subjective, varying from Less flexible, as it follows formal rules,
person to person based on individual guidelines and laws specific to the
beliefs and values. profession.

Accountability Individuals are accountable to themselves, Individuals are accountable to their

their conscience and sometimes to close employer, colleagues, clients and
social circles. professional bodies.

Examples Honesty, kindness, loyalty, respect for Confidentiality, impartiality, fairness,

others and integrity in personal responsibility and adherence to
relationships. professional codes of conduct.

Consequences Breaches can affect personal Breaches can lead to job termination,
of Breach relationships, self-esteem and social professional sanctions or damage to
reputation. one's career and professional
reputation.
Q.2 Discuss the key ethical principles derived from Indian Ethical Tradition.

Ans.
● India has rich ethical traditions which are envisioned in the scriptures of the land like the
Gita, Upanishads, etc.
● Hindu scriptures speak of the performance of right duty, at the right time in the right
manner.
● The rich Indian tradition has always emphasized the dignity of human life and the right to
live in a respectful manner.
● The rich values that once prevailed in India are now disappearing from the mainstream.
Indian traditions are copied and followed by Western countries in their social welfare and
organizational conduct.
● Another idea of trusteeship was propounded by Tolstoy, Ruskin and Mahatma Gandhi.
According to this principle, the managers of business are only the trustees of their
property and it is their moral duty to use and manage all of their property for the welfare
of the society.
● No individual has any right to hold any property for personal gain only and to use it
against the interests of society.
● All resources must be fully utilized for production of goods and services, keeping in view
the needs of the society.
● Indian ethics play a central role in shaping the country's culture, particularly in village life.
During festival seasons, people create various types of rangoli, perform traditional
dances, and work in paddy fields among other activities. All of these ethical practices
contribute to a sense of pride in our cultural heritage.

Q.3 Define Engineering Ethics. Distinguish between ethics, laws and morals.

Ans. Engineering ethics refers to the set of moral principles and standards that guide the
professional conduct of engineers. It involves applying ethical considerations to engineering
practice, including responsibilities to the public, the environment and the profession itself.

-> Key Aspects of Engineering Ethics:

Public Safety & Welfare
Integrity & Honesty
Professional Competence
Respect for Confidentiality
Ethical Decision-Making
 Ethics Laws Morals

Principles governing behavior Formal rules established by Personal beliefs about right and
in specific contexts governing bodies wrong

Scope: Specific to professions Scope: Apply to all members of Scope: Varies by individual, culture
or groups (e.g., engineering society or religion
ethics)

Enforced by professional Enforced by the state through Self-regulated; Self-enforced

organizations or institutions legal systems

It is often based on consensus Codified and formalized Subjective and personal

within a profession

Consequences: Professional Consequences: Legal penalties Consequences: Personal guilt, social

discipline, loss of reputation (fines, imprisonment) judgment

Q.4 Explain the roots of Unethical Behavior.

Ans. Unethical behavior is an action that falls outside of what is considered morally right or
proper for a person, a profession or an industry. Individuals can behave unethically, as can
businesses, professionals and politicians. Some of the influencing factors that make employees
think and act in unethical ways are ‘pressure to balance work and family, poor communications,
poor leadership, long work hours, heavy workload, lack of management support, pressure to
meet sales or profit goals, little or no recognition of achievements’.

Examples of Unethical Behavior in the Workplace:

1. Misusing company time - Many employees misuse company time in a variety of ways,
whether it is surfing the internet during business hours, taking extended breaks, altering
time sheets, etc. Misusing company time is unethical because the employee is being paid
a salary for work and they did not complete in time, they do not dedicate to their jobs.
2. Lying - Trust is the best source of dedication and loyalty that any business has. Once that
trust is broken, it is extremely difficult to get it back. Telling obvious lies is not just
unethical - it will drive people away from your business.

Q.5 Define: Ethics, Honesty & Integrity.

Ans.
Ethics: Ethics refers to the set of principles that govern the behavior of individuals and groups
based on what is considered right or wrong in a professional or societal context.
Honesty: Honesty is the human quality of communicating and acting truthfully with fairness, to
the best of one’s ability. It is related to truth as a value and encompasses both honesty to others
and to oneself, including being transparent about one's own motives and inner reality.

Integrity: Integrity is the unity of character based on moral values. It involves consistency in
attitudes, emotions and conduct in relation to morally justified actions and values. This
consistency reflects the integrity of an individual.

Q.6 What is an ethical dilemma? Explain with examples

Ans. Ethical dilemma is a moral situation in which a choice has to be made between two equally
undesirable alternatives.
An ethical dilemma exists when one is faced with having to make a choice among following
alternatives:
a) Significant value conflict among different interests
b) Real alternatives which are equally justifiable
c) Significant consequences on stakeholder in some situations

Example: A doctor is treating two patients in critical condition who both need life-saving surgery.
Unfortunately, there is only one operating room available and only enough resources for one
surgery at the moment.

1. Patient A: A young child with a rare disease who has a high chance of recovery if treated
immediately.
2. Patient B: An elderly individual with a significant role in the community and a lower
chance of survival, but who could have a substantial impact if they recover.

Dilemma: The doctor must choose which patient to prioritize for surgery. The decision involves
balancing the potential benefits of saving each life.

Ethical Considerations are as follows:

● Utilitarianism: Which choice will result in the greatest overall benefit?

● Deontological Ethics: Are there any duties or rights that should guide the decision, such
as the right to life or equal treatment?
● Virtue Ethics: What would a virtuous person, characterized by compassion and wisdom,
do in this situation?

Q.7) What are the sources of ethical behavior?

Ethical behavior is influenced by various sources that shape an individual’s moral values,
beliefs, and actions. Here are some common sources of ethical behavior:
1. Personal Values: Personal values are deeply held beliefs and principles that guide
an individual’s behavior and decision-making. These values are shaped by factors
such as upbringing, culture, religion, personal experiences, and education.
Personal values serve as an internal source of ethical behavior, influencing how
individuals perceive right and wrong and how they choose to act accordingly.

2. Moral Development: Moral development refers to the process through which

individuals acquire and internalize ethical principles and moral reasoning. This
development is influenced by factors such as upbringing, education, social
interactions, and life experiences. Moral development occurs over time,
progressing from a focus on obedience and punishment to a more nuanced
understanding of ethical principles and the ability to make autonomous moral
decisions.

3. Cultural Norms and Practices: Cultural norms and practices play a significant role
in shaping ethical behavior. Each culture has its own set of values, customs, and
traditions that influence the ethical standards and expectations within that
society. Cultural norms provide a framework for acceptable behavior and guide
individuals in their interactions with others.

4. Legal Framework: The legal system and regulatory frameworks establish a set of
laws and regulations that govern behavior and provide a baseline for ethical
standards. While legality does not always align with morality, the law often
reflects society’s collective ethical judgments and establishes boundaries for
acceptable conduct.

5. Organizational Culture: Organizational culture refers to the values, beliefs, and

norms that characterize a particular workplace or organization. The culture of an
organization can strongly influence the ethical behavior of its employees. When
an organization promotes ethical values, fosters integrity, and establishes a
supportive ethical climate, it encourages employees to make ethical choices in
their work.

6. Role Models and Leaders: Role models and leaders play a significant role in
shaping ethical behavior. Individuals often look to their leaders, mentors, and
respected figures as examples of ethical behavior. When leaders demonstrate and
promote ethical conduct, it sets a positive tone and influences others to follow
suit.
 7. Social Influence and Peer Pressure: Social influence and peer pressure can impact
ethical behavior. Individuals may be influenced by their social circles, friends,
colleagues, or the prevailing attitudes within a group. Peer pressure can either
encourage ethical behavior or create pressures to conform to unethical actions.

Q.8) Explain importance of a code of personal ethics for employees.

A code of personal ethics provides a framework for employees to make sound decisions and
behave responsibly within an organization. It outlines the values and principles that guide
employee behavior and contributes to a positive work environment.

Here are some key reasons why a code of personal ethics is important for employees:

 Guidance and Decision-Making: A code of ethics provides employees with clear

guidelines on how to behave ethically in different situations. It helps them make informed
decisions and avoid actions that could harm the organization or its stakeholders.

 Trust and Reputation: A strong ethical culture fosters trust and respect among
employees, leading to a positive organizational reputation. When employees adhere to
ethical principles, it builds trust with customers, partners, and the community.

 Legal Compliance: A code of ethics can help organizations avoid legal issues by setting
clear expectations for employee behavior. By adhering to ethical standards, employees
can reduce the risk of legal liabilities and protect the organization's reputation.

 Employee Well-being: A positive ethical environment contributes to employee well-being

and job satisfaction. When employees feel that they are working in an ethical and
responsible organization, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged in their work.

 Organizational Success: A strong ethical culture can contribute to the long-term success
of an organization. When employees behave ethically, it can lead to increased customer
loyalty, improved employee morale, and enhanced financial performance.

In conclusion, a code of personal ethics is essential for creating a positive and sustainable work
environment. It provides guidance for employees, fosters trust, promotes legal compliance,
contributes to employee well-being, and ultimately supports the long-term success of an
organization.

Q.9) Mention principles of professional ethics.

Professional ethics are a set of moral principles that guide the behavior of individuals in
their professional roles. These principles help maintain trust, integrity, and accountability
within a profession. Here are some key principles of professional ethics:

Core Principles:

 Honesty and Integrity: Be truthful, honest, and transparent in all professional

dealings.

 Competence: Maintain a high level of competence in your field and continuously

strive to improve your skills.

 Objectivity: Make decisions and judgments based on facts and evidence, avoiding
personal bias or conflicts of interest.

 Confidentiality: Protect confidential information and maintain privacy.

 Fairness: Treat everyone with fairness and respect, regardless of their background
or circumstances.

Additional Principles (Depending on the Profession):

 Loyalty: Be loyal to your employer or organization, but within the bounds of

ethical principles.

 Public service: If in a public service role, prioritize the public interest over
personal gain.

 Respect for intellectual property: Protect and respect the intellectual property
rights of others.

 Environmental responsibility: Consider the environmental impact of your

professional activities.