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Personal Ethics – The Golden Rule & Six Pillars of Character University of Phoenix IT ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR CMGT/530 April 11, 2010 Abstract The “Golden Rule” is truly worth more than gold. It applies to everything, everybody, and every relationship that has ever existed. This highly emphasized “rule” is somehow stated in every religion and belief system of both early and modern civilization.
In Judaism, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”; Christianity, “Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them”; Islam, “Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself”; Jainism, “A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated”; Confucianism, “Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence”; Hinduism, “One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself.
This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire. ” This priceless knowledge is the basis life and morality. War, discrimination, struggle, and troubles are all instigated because mankind refuses to follow such a simplistic concept. What I am willing to follow during my studies at University of Phoenix build on the rule that stands as the foundation of the morals that most people follow. As children, we have all heard of the “Six Pillars of Character”. My children even today, bring back papers from school enforcing these six pillars.
Respect, caring, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, and citizenship are the pillars that stand tall above the golden foundation. Respect. Every person in this world is unique in their own special way. Each individual has a characteristic that is to be cherished, developed, and respected. Each individual also has their flaws, which are also meant to be respected. A sibling, family member, friend may, at times, seem “good for nothing” or “fruitless”. Those are the moments that they need the most respect. Respect their vices and help them in curing those imperfections.
Be considerate of their feeling by using polite, willing words to help them. In times of frustration, it is only normal for a human being to obstinate in accepting assistance. Many of the wars that are initiated are because of the lack of respect between a group of individuals, nationalities, religions, etc. By simply accepting the difference and respecting the beliefs of others, world peace will not seem like an impossible task as it seems like today. Caring. Caring for others can be such an easy achievement when you eradicate the negative vengeance and ego that swirl around in everyone’s souls.
You must truly feel the love and compassion that occurs when you forgive others or help the needy, a feeling of freeness and joy. Too often, we underestimate the power of a warm smile, a kind compliment, a listening ear. A minute, simple act of care can change a life. When the talk of caring comes, I always think about an e-mail I had received a few years ago about two young teenage boys. The email is quoted below: “One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books.
I thought to myself, ‘Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friend’s tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him… He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.
As I handed him his glasses, I said, ‘Those guys are jerks. ‘ He looked at me and said, ‘Hey thanks! ‘ There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before.. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends
He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends… When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem…” **This has not yet been formally published** With a simple act of care, two high school boys transformed each other’s lives and earned a friend. The ability to care gives life its deepest significance. Responsibility.
As children, we were always told to be responsible. The definition of responsibility has changed ever since, but the root meaning stays the same. You must account yourself for your choices. Your horoscope, your friend, your enemy, those factors don’t engrave your path, you do. Think before you act ??? consider the consequences, whether it be positive or negative. Do what you are supposed to do and do the best work possible. High positions in careers, a good education; these things don’t come with money or lethargy, but with perseverance and hard work. Jim Rohn simply puts responsibility as, “You must take personal responsibility.
You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of. ” In my essay I have included the pillars that seem applicable to my studies at University of Phoenix. Every place and person a different perspective on ethics and morals, but I believe that the “Golden Rule” and the Six Pillars of Character can be applied anywhere to make life more beautiful. In Martin Luther King’s “Rediscovering Lost Values” Speech, he says the following excerpt, “I want you to think with me this morning from the subject: “Rediscovering Lost Values. There is something wrong with our world, something fundamentally and basically wrong. I don’t think we have to look too far to see that. I’m sure that most of you would agree with me in making that assertion. And when we stop to analyze the cause of our world’s ills, many things come to mind. ” The world is not evil, nor is it unintelligent. In fact, we are the most complex species on this planet, with the most complex and amazing minds. Human just need to remind themselves. Sit down and reconsider our sins and appreciate our virtues. Just imagine!
If each and every person tried their very hardest to live up to their potential, not just our nation, but our world would be implausible. We would be an invincible force in every way, economically, physically, and mentally. Oscar Wilde says, “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. ” There is always hope… are you looking at the stars? Bibliography Rediscovering Lost Values. (n. d. ). Retrieved April 10, 2010, From: http://www. mlkonline. net/values. html Golden Rule ??? Part-1. (n. d. ). Retrieved April 10, 2010, From: http://www. unification. net/ws/theme015. htm