Film Challenges HS Students PERSONAL ETHICS. With Meg Ryan

I was given a grant by the Institute For Global Ethics to make a film to provoke high school students to look at their personal ethics and to see that their personal ethics/values could make a difference in the world. The resulting film has been using thousands of high schools across the United States and won every national film award in its category. Initially the subject seemed simple. Doesn’t everyone know their ethics? It turned out that most young people hadn’t defined their ethics. So in a time of emergency when decisions had to be made quickly that might affect the planet, most young people had not considered their values. This is a clip from the film and the study the late-night talk show radio guy mentions was true. I don’t know what young people would say if asked the same question today. Are there any ethical standards that all religions agree on? While there is no universally accepted set of ethical standards that applies to all religions many religious traditions share common moral principles. The Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated. This idea is found in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Compassion: Many religious traditions emphasize the importance of compassion, kindness and empathy toward others. This includes recognizing and alleviating the suffering of others regardless of their background or beliefs. Respect for life: Most religions promote the sanctity of life and discourage harm or violence toward others, whether human or animal. Truthfulness: Most religions value truthfulness and honesty, promoting the importance of being truthful in one’s thoughts, words and actions. Who Generosity: Giving to others, whether through charitable acts or sharing one’s resources, is a common value in many religious traditions. Humility: Many religions emphasize the importance of humility, modesty, and recognizing one’s limitations and imperfections. Responsibility: Religions often encourage adherents to take responsibility for their actions and to strive for self-improvement. Personal ethics (the subject of my film) and ethical standards are related but distinct concepts. Here are examples of their differences: Personal ethics: Personal ethics refer to an individual’s moral values, beliefs, and principles that guide their behavior and decision-making. These values may be shaped by cultural, religious, familial, or personal experiences, and they can vary significantly from person to person. Personal ethics reflect an individual’s conscience and inner moral compass, which influence their choices and actions in various situations. Ethical standards: Ethical standards, on the other hand, are more formalized and external sets of rules, guidelines, or expectations that govern behavior within a specific context, such as a profession, organization, or society. These standards are often established by professional associations, companies, or regulatory bodies and they provide a framework for ethical conduct that is expected from members of a particular group or profession. Those placing comments on my YouTube videos surprisingly often ask questions regarding their personal values/ethics if their ethics conflict with government laws. Here are some thoughts to consider. Evaluate the ethical principles and values that underlie your beliefs and actions and consider why they conflict with the government laws in question. Familiarize yourself with the relevant laws, their purposes and the potential consequences of noncompliance. If possible, explore ways to adhere to your personal ethics while complying with the law or minimizing the conflict. Understand the potential consequences of your actions, including legal penalties and personal ramifications. Consider the impact on your reputation, relationships, and career, as well as the broader social and political implications of your choices. After careful consideration, make a decision that you believe is the best course of action, given your personal ethics and the potential consequences. This decision may involve complying with the law, engaging in civil disobedience, or seeking to change the law through advocacy and activism. If you would like to see my entire film here is a link. It explores (back in 1989) examples where personal ethical values failed and people in responsible positions created disasters as a result. I would like to thank the organizations and companies that advertise on my video. If you are interested search the words ethics. Professional code of ethics. APA ethical code. ABA ethical code. APA rules of professional standards. New York Times code of ethics. Ethical teacher. Practice ethics. AAPC code of ethics. Professional ethics in law. Professional conduct. AM a code of ethics. American Medical Association code of ethics. Lawyers soliciting clients. Personal ethics. Medical ethics. David Hoffman Filmmaker