Foundation of Ethics 

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To build a solid foundation in understanding the topic of professional ethics, it is important to understand the differences between values, morals, and professional ethics.

 

These three concepts guide our behavior in different ways:

 

• Values are personal principles that help us determine what is right or wrong and good or bad. They also assist us in making choices and setting priorities. For example, people often align with political parties based on their values.

 

• Morals carry a higher social significance and are based on our ideas of right and wrong. These are often shaped by our upbringing, culture, or religion and are used to judge both ourselves and others.

 

• Ethics are the professional standards or rules that guide behavior within a specific field. In massage therapy, ethics are formally adopted by professional organizations and help define the conduct of therapists.

 

Reflection Exercise:

 

Think of an example from your life for each of the following concepts. How do they differ from one another, and how do they relate?

 

• Values: __________________________________

 

• Morals: __________________________________

 

• Ethics: __________________________________