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Ethics: how do you develop your own code of ethics?

Today in Foundations, we talked a lot about ethics and what it means to be an ethical practitioner.
We started the discussion of ethics with Professor Lancaster asking something that we've learned purposively. The example one of my classmates gave was riding a bike (which apparently Professor Lancaster loves to teach...my little brother is 6, I'll have to let her help him out with that).
Afterwards, she asked how we thought we developed ethics...if it was something we learned, or developed ourselves.
I believe its both. I believe that you can be brought up a certain way, but your own thoughts, values, and morals will ultimately shape your own code of ethics.
This is probably diving way too deep into the topic, but I'll provide an example.
My mother was a single mom when I was growing up (deadbeat dad walked out on us when I was 4, maybe). I had a lonely childhood, went to an intercity elementary school, and lived with the bare minimum. Anyways, my mom raised me to be independent, work hard, and be kind.
Regardless of our circumstances, I believe (and I may be slightly biased) that I grew up to be just that.
However, I have met several people who often use their past or their circumstances as a "crutch", or an excuse for falling into bad habits/living an unhealthy lifestyle/their mistakes.
Granted, I didn't have it as bad as some people (I am so grateful for my mother everyday). But I 100% believe that you are what you want to become.
I have a tattoo on my left wrist of a lotus flower. It holds a lot of meaning to me.
My grandmother is from Thailand, and growing up, she always called me "her little lotus". Her house is loitered with lotus flowers, so I figured it was just a pretty flower that she loved.
When I turned 18, she told me why she had always called me that.
A lotus flower, which is the national flower of Thailand, is a beautiful, colorful flower that sits on top of ponds. People often admire its beauty, but they don't know how it grows. The lotus flower starts at the bottom of the pond, deep in the mud. It grows through the mud and pulls itself up to the top of the water, where it blooms into a beautiful flower. A flower that starts from the bottom of murky pond is the national flower of Thailand.
She always called me that in hopes that I would grow like a lotus; through any circumstances or struggles, always remain true to myself, my values, my morals, and my ethics. She hoped that even when things got hard I would pull myself above my challenges and bloom into a beautiful person, no matter what. It's an important remi
Having this tattoo on my wrist is a constant reminder that you are more than your circumstances.
This may be slightly off the subject of ethics..... but, I believe everyone has a choice, regardless.

Comments

  1. I love this post, Meghan, because of the way you have pulled together what we learned about in class with what you have experienced and what you know. (P.S. I'm game to help with your little brother's bike riding lesson!)

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