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Cultural Values And Personal Ethics Paper

Cultural Values and Personal Ethics Paper
Values are "the central beliefs and purposes of an individual or society" (Values, 2006, ¶ 2). In other words, values and ethics are the right and wrong way of behaving, in the eyes of the in beholder. Individuals develop values based on lessons taught and reactions to situations. Societies as a whole create what qualifies as normal or acceptable behavior. Personal, organizational, and cultural values influence decisions and may cause ethical dilemmas that need to be resolved.
Personal Values
Personal values are those beliefs unique to individuals. Beliefs are not necessarily unique to the individuals, but how they prioritize or organize their values is. Most my personal beliefs center on what I view are human rights. I personally feel that compromising an individual's rights for the "greater good" of others is never appropriate, unless their choice is to give it up.
Everyone deserves respect initially, regardless of the superficial opinions made about the individual. Acceptance of others values, especially when they compromise an individual's rights, is a constant personal battle I have. I know that I would want someone to respect my values, so I attempt to do the same by treating others how I want to be treated. I often use the word "seriously" after a statement I find questionable, because I hope the comment is a joke. This is offensive and even disrespectful to some people, so I am trying to break that habit. I would not like to be offended for offering my opinion.
In the workplace, my personal values could contradict what my employer expects from me. For example, my belief never to compromise on individual rights goes against the cost-benefit test that in accounting, which I will see all too often. Defending my position could result in loss of a position. I will have to either compromise my ethics, or find a new place to work.
Organizational Values
The workplace creates organizational values for...