Is there a difference between right and wrong, honesty and dishonesty, ethical and unethical behaviour?
Ethics, honesty, morals and values are sadly lacking in society. There are many reasons for this not least of which is the fact that we do not educate our children and in many instances our employees on issues related to ethics and honesty.
Ethics, honesty, morals and values are ingrained in all of us and we all deal with these issues differently. There are norms of behaviour acceptable at all levels of society and throughout the world which are common to all. It doe not matter what race we are from, it does not matter what the colour of our skin is, It does not matter what our religion is, we all know the difference between right and wrong, between correct and incorrect behaviour, between being honest and dishonesty.
Having said this I would like to ask - where do problems with Ethics and Honesty come from?
Personally I believe they come from not having the courage of our convictions and not standing up for what we believe to be right. We want to be accepted by others. Peer pressure plays a part. We feel we must follow the crowd while at the same time we fear being shunned by others.
This is what we should be teaching our children and our youth at universities and schools. We do not need to teach the meaning of honesty, they all know from within their own hearts what it means, what they don’t know is what to do about dishonesty.
You know your friend is stealing from a shop, you know it’s wrong, and what do you do about it?
You know your friends are taking drugs; they may even be selling drugs at school or university, what do you do about it? You know it’s wrong and you condone it! Is this right?
Stand up for what you believe and do what you know to be correct. If this means another person, your friend, your brother, your sister, your father or mother get into trouble then so be it. We must be cruel in order to be kind. Do what you know to be right and if your friends shun you because of it then change your friends.
I have written a manual dealing with issues related to heart judgements as opposed to head judgements which at the same time is intended to assist readers in eradicating some of the ingrained negative conditioning and baggage carried around for so long.
In this little article, taken from the manual, you have been offered a chance to consider the points I have raised. I trust you have made decisions about your life and how you approach similar issues. These decisions should have been made based on what was in your heart and not what was in your head. You should have made decisions based on fact, based on instinct and based on what you believe to be correct. Have you?
Des Squire - AMSI and ASSOCIATES cc
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Walter Donaldson on -
Well said, Des!
Follow the Christian way of life! Read the Bible, pray for wisdom, strength and God's direction and things will become more clear!!
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Permalink Reply by Joan du Plessis on -
Thank you, Des, for putting this out there: I don't think we can be reminded of this often enough. It looks as though too many people think that if they are not actually breaking a written law then what they are doing is acceptable: but they lose sight of the fact that the heart decision is a better one for themselves and those around them.
Those of us involved in training in any way need to convey this message clearly.
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Permalink Reply by Chantal Bezuidenhout on -
Hmm - a pet rant of mine! And it starts with our kids - a lot of whom have no guidance from anyone - as there are so many absent parents. And this is being left to the schools who are battling to teach the kids the fundamentals of the curriculum so how does this fit in?
And the result is that no sound values are being taught to the youth...anybody want to help me do something about it?
In East London, 2 guys were arrested for raping and robbing two Swedish girls. At the bail hearing the younger accused had this to say of the older suspect - I quote from the newspaper: "He is the only one that has been advising me and teaching me the difference between right and wrong. He is my mentor."
Our role models are often so corrupt and dishonest themselves - scary stuff!
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Permalink Reply by Paula Whitaker on -
I think this is the one thing that scares me most in SA right now. The growing phenomenon is seeing someone doing wrong and doing NOTHING about it. At all levels of society. Even in our game!!!!!
Would like to buy your manual Des!
paula@tripleetraining.co.za
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Permalink Reply by Chantal Bezuidenhout on
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how much is your manual?
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Permalink Reply by hugo john on -
Hi Des,
This nis so true and one of the contributing factors is that we are a bunch of fence sitters. "GOD" gave us life but he also gave us something else ........ the right to make choices, which so many of us ignore and go with the flow.
Speaking of which, I was speaking to a drug addict the other day [involved in other criminal activity as well] and during our conversation he emphatically stated that it was something he chose to do.
Moral degeneration is a sign of decay of our society.
And yes - ther are people out there that practice "TOUGH LOVE".
Remember the old African saying "It takes a village to raise a child" aah if we only practised this, we would be building a better and brighter future for oue children.
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ContributorPermalink Reply by Hannes Nel on -
And so, indeed it is. What troubles me is that we (and "they") know well what is right and what is wrong, so Des, please write another book on how to get people to do the right thing. We talk and we talk but it does not seem to make any difference. Anyway, please send me an order form for your book - would like to read it. JPN
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Permalink Reply by Christine Maritz on -
I totally agree with all comments. Johannes, you are right - we instictively know what is right and what is wrong, but we choose to do the thing which will satisfy our needs NOW, doesn't matter how wrong it is. All people are born with basic morals to some extent, but some feel their RIGHT to take what they want, because they are entitled to it. I taught my son from a young age that it takes a real leader to stand up for what it right, because followers only follow the mob. I am dumbstruck what staff members (we don't even talk about children here) can be up to, to such an extent that we needed to build a "Work Ethics and Professional Conduct" session into our Staff Induction. I think most of the poor morals and ethics, are only the cause of selfish needs that people want to satisfy now and the attitude of entitlement.
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ContributorPermalink Reply by Des Squire on -
Hi Johannes
The Manual is called - Conversations with life – a guide to an effective life style – R135
Johannes said:And so, indeed it is. What troubles me is that we (and "they") know well what is right and what is wrong, so Des, please write another book on how to get people to do the right thing. We talk and we talk but it does not seem to make any difference. Anyway, please send me an order form for your book - would like to read it. JPN
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ContributorPermalink Reply by Des Squire on -
Hi Chantal - The Manual is called - Conversations with life – a guide to an effective life style – R135
Chantal Bezuidenhout said:how much is your manual?
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ContributorPermalink Reply by Des Squire on -
Some readers have requested information on manuals and articles I have written. Here is a brief outline
SOME MANUALS AND ARTICLES WRITTEN BY DES SQUIRE
ALL OF THESE ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
The stages of HIV and workplace policies – R30
Life, Love, relationships and HIV/AIDS – R135
A handbook for managers – R165
Managing the impact of HIV/AIDS – R50
HIV/AIDS – It’s your problem too – R135
Everyone’s guide to HIV and Aids – R135
HIV and Aids in the workplace – R135
The Way forward – a guide to life and the world of work – R155
HIV/AIDS – the future is in your hands – R70
School is over – what now? – R145
Conversations with life – a guide to an effective life style – R135
Managing the disciplinary process – R175
Thoughts on motivation – R55
Basic Counselling principles – R20
Apply Innovative thinking – R115
Notes
A brief outline of any of the manuals will be sent on request together with an extract if required.
Multiple copies and/or reproduction rights can be discussed with me. Manuals can be customised to include your company logo etc
I have a large number of training manuals also available on a variety of subject matter.
Should you have a need for specific articles, assistance with newsletters etc please contact me directly.
Drop me an e-mail with your specific interest or request or see the outlines attached.
Des Squire
AMSI and ASSOCIATES cc -Training - 082 800 9057
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ContributorPermalink Reply by Cindy Payle on -
I have to agree with you Walter the Bible and the consistent and unchanging nature of the Word of God are the only anchor in a world where everyone is looking to themselves for a sense of what's right. as we look to ourselves for moral guidance that sense of right will inevetiably shift towards a self-centred approach to life...and sadly we see it happening in the world already.
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