A634.9.4.RB - A Reflection of Our Learning

Reflecting back on the MSLD 634 course, one of the first topics that stands out to me was the Can Ethics be Taught? Section. This is one of those questions which has no definite answer. And I still don’t have one. Morality and ethics differs man to man, religion to religion and region to region. You try educating man and he becomes more immoral. On the whole I would like to say no.

Throughout the course we were given the opportunity to explore and define our thought and beliefs on the question, What is Morality? I think someone’s morality and ethics are both taught and learn. And what I mean by learned is their experiences, environment, and upbringing. Ethics are an idea or belief of what one believes is acceptable behavior in society.

My view of society is one of a black male, raised in the inner-city by both parents, military trained, and formally educated. My environment has shaped and molded what I consider “ethical”. Racism and Religion is ingrain in the hearts, souls, and cultural of society. It can be hard to talk about racism, sometimes the problem is the manner in which the word is defined or understood. The suggestion that some people are inherently superior or inferior may derive from religion, economic aggrandizement, chauvinism, or a false genetic premise. Whatever the factor, racism asserts that all human beings do not necessarily have intrinsic value and equal worth.

I realized that after reading the chapters with various opportunities to focus on a better understanding of the far-reaching impact of ethics on everyday life, I found more benefit in assessing where I fit. I enjoyed the discussion boards where colleagues from just about every diverse angle of career provided a different and interesting point of view. Often, they brought in different interpretations, which helped me to realize the importance of active listening. I had to really think through my initial post, and find references that supported my opinions, or concerns about the topic. It made me stop and think about what I really believe, and want to stand for in my life. I believe that reading the input from my colleagues was beneficial. Some of my best discussions were with people who wanted to review the ethics, or critical thinking on a specific conversation topic. Over all interesting course and classmates were helpful.

 

References

LaFollette, H. (2007). The Practice of Ethics. Malden: Blackwell Publishing.