Art Of Teaching

Character is a form of ethical and societal interactive potentials which shape an individual’s thinking, state of mind and actions.  Thus, to actually define character of a person we need to attract three harmonizing viewpoints: expressive (what it is), assessing (what sums as good or bad), and evolving (how it forms). The main mechanisms here are tendencies focused on virtuous or erroneous, self-regulatory capacities to control instincts, indulgences, and bring into line behaviour with longer-term obligations and assurances, self-regulatory capacity to control instincts, delay indulgences, applied decisions to act appropriately. It also includes general distinctiveness and roles and obligations to household, occupation, and public at large.

How do people actually judge character practically?   

They observe whether a person shows consistency in behaviour pattern over varying situations.                                                                                                                                                                For  example –    a generous person will be generous at work with colleagues, friends as well as family members and varied situations which he faces over time.                                                                                       How the  person responds to stressful situations,   temptation or incentives versus values.                                        Confidence in someone’s character builds up when reports, testimonies about good reputation filters in from different sources.   

Define Morality?

An individual’s idea of what is correct or erroneous as per societal order is Morality. We can especially say this with regard to a person’s behaviour. Maintaining this type of behaviour allows people to cohabit positively in clusters and civilization because they need a special obedience to the obligation of the greater good. But things like marital infidelity, domestic violence etc., are markers against morality. People are seen using “integrity” and “moralities” to understand the variances between “accurate” and “erroneous” or “decent” and “immoral.”                                                                              But can we say that ethics and morals are the same entity? It’s not uncommon to overhear morals and ethics being referred to in the same sentence.

What are Ethics?

There is hardly any differentiation between morals and ethics. by most scholars and researchers. But simply put – Ethics is a set of moral principles Morals are based on personal values whereas Ethics are a system of values determined by a certain group or definite public. Morals are rules that affect a person at individual level whereas Ethics are guidelines for an entire community. In other words, Morals are individually based whereas Ethics are culturally based. We also need to understand that morals can change depending on different countries and their standards of viewing morals.

We can measure CHARACTER in every day life through variety of methods like observing behaviour in various situations, engaging persons in moral or ethical decision-making tasks, using recognized scales to quantify traits related to character based on: scrupulousness, honesty, understanding, perseverance and grit.

 (e.g., Big Five Personality Test, Character Strengths Survey).

Also, we need to encourage the individuals to reflect on their decisions, values and experiences through persuasive questioning methods and feedback collection from near and dear ones, friends and colleagues.

Tests like Situational Judgement tools, Longitudinal studies, Character Development programmes, Field experiments, Narrative Analysis, Role Play methods, and discussions on Ethical and Moral dilemmas with the help of professionals can help greatly in positive character building.  

At the same time the professionals need to respect the privacy of the individual stake holders in a manner which is ethical, being careful about the cultural sensitivity of the individual, and helping with a combination of Quantitative and Qualitative approaches.

While Ethics and Morals have a lot in common, they have some distinct differences also. There are seven types of morals that are recognized across the Globe like Bravery, Fair Dealings, adhering to rules through deference to authority, helping your immediate supportive Groups, loving your family, non-altruistic behaviour and adhering to fairness while respecting others’ right to property.  

These morals require short term interest keeping in mind the larger picture of the community as a whole but if people regard only self – interest as their motive, they will be termed as immoral or selfish.

Kohlberg’s theory of moral development, proposes that kids develop morals through a sequence of progressive phases.

We often hear the word ethics in medical communities or as the guideline  for other vocations that influence greater clusters.

For example: the Hippocratic Oath in medicine is an example of a largely accepted ethical practice. The American Medical Association even outlines nine distinct principles that are specified in medical settings. These include putting the patient’s care above all else and promoting good health within communities.

Source : Google

Ethics, Morals, and Mental Health

We can safely say that morals and ethics can have a great impact on individuals a play a significant role in shaping their character. But this concept differs from community to community. What is immoral in one community can be an accepted standard norm in other community.

The field of Psychiatry has investigated and tried to integrate the ethical principles for standardization.

You learn certain ethical and moral codes in your family set up. But when due to circumstances your morals change, it is natural for you to feel a sense of embarrassment or guiltiness.

Take the example of live-in -relationships. For the younger generation, it has become a way of life but for the older generation it is a sinful way of living and immoral.  But  the younger generation may understand that living with your partner is not wrong but they may feel guilty due to family ingrained morals and therefore these feelings which are negative needs to be discussed with a therapist or a trustful person who will not judge you.

In Indian Society even today divorce is a taboo for females and an example of gender bias. We see women being judged and though incompatible or living under threat of marital discord, or unfaithfulness or facing domestic violence, they tend to hide and pull on for the sake of societal acceptance.  

Are Ethics and Morals relative terms?

We can say that Morals are relative in nature as they differ from person to person depending on their individuality. These moral values depend on family ideals, individual involvements and spiritual instructions and societal norms. Every individual is guided differently and therefore perspectives have been shaped in the long run.

The collective rules within our community and culture are termed as ethics. Ethics is precise to the situation.

 We can take example of the medical community again and people outside it; The Medical community believes in the ethics of patient confidentiality and patient first. But to people outside the medical community, these ethics do not apply.

Can we say that a person has morals but is not ethical?

Yes, it can happen because Morality is a code of conduct which is personal in nature whereas ethics are community based and many a times there may be a clash between a person’s morality and societal ethics.

I end by saying that———

It is important for individuals to understand what values they want to adhere to and carry on in their own lives and what they want to discard. Defining your distinct moral code will include disabling moods of guiltiness because it may fluctuate from your background. This does not mean at all that you are belittling your household, but relatively it can be said that you are evolving.

Taking a therapist into confidence could demonstrate valuable pointers as you categorize what you do and discover suitable fragments of your individual moral code.