What do you understand by Values’ and “Ethics”? In what way is it important to be ethical along with being professionally competent?

Ans. Values and Ethics are often used interchangeably. However, there does exist a distinction between the two. Anything we see or experience around us is viewed and interpreted in terms of some preconceived ideas/values. Values are the yardsticks which help in measuring the desirability or undesirability of any act, behaviour or practice. Due to this nature of the values, there can be some universal values that are admired by all cultures and societies.

Ethics, on the other hand, are the socially acceptable principles that define what is good-bad, moral-immoral, or desirable-undesirable in a particular society. Ethics, in this context, become the manifestation of the different values in the human society. Ethical principles are altered to different shades to suit the human purpose, and achieve its goals. Therefore, while values are, more or less, universal in character, ethical principles are custom made by every society to serve the interest of the individuals living under its framework

It is very important to be ethical in the performance of one’s duty. An unethical person can only bring harm to the society, because professional competency, devoid of an ethical base, can only be a home for various vices.

An ethical person would strive for the common good, even if he lacks in the high standards of his profession. While an ethical and highly competent person is seen as an ideal; a person with no ethical principles but having high professional competency can well become a bane for the society.