Creating Your Own Code of Ethics
On top of this, you will build your own code of ethics. Your idea of what you consider
to be ‘living well’ and ‘doing the right thing’.
Again, this doesn’t have to be your
conventional set of rules. It might be that you
don’t agree with some aspects of the law.
Some well-known philosophers are known for
views that stray from conventional ideas
about ethics and morality.
Take Ayn Rand for example, who believed that
morality comes from what makes them
happiest. She said:
Man has no automatic code of survival.... His senses do not tell him
automatically what is good for him or evil, what will benefit his life or
endanger it, what goals he should pursue and what means will achieve them,
what values his life depends on, what course of action it requires. Man must
choose his actions, values and goals by the standard of that which is proper to
man - in order to achieve, maintain, fulfill and enjoy that ultimate value, that
end in itself, which is his own life.She believed that individual morality should be based on what makes that individual
happiest. That means working on things that you love, improving yourself and
protecting the ones you care about... who in turn make you happier.
Rand would suggest that we should look after our families and our loved ones,
pursue our passions and our self-betterment and that way contribute to society.
Whatever you believe your code to be, you write it down and then commit to stick to
that code. That way, you won’t be persuaded by other people, you will be able to
fight for your values and people will know where they stand with you.