In a written statement with screenshots of real examples and documents to support, explain: • what is meant by ‘ethical principles’ and ‘professional values’, and how these might inform the way people approach their work.
• a minimum of 2 standards (e.g., service level agreements, targets, deadlines, KPI’s, compliance) from your organisation that supports ethical and professional practice.
• the importance of ethical behaviour for an HR professional and the potential consequences of unethical behaviour.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Exploring Ethical Principles and Professional Values in the Workplace
In any professional setting, ethical principles and professional values serve as guiding pillars that shape individuals’ approach to their work. These principles and values are essential in upholding integrity, fostering trust, and ensuring accountability in the workplace environment. Let’s delve deeper into what these terms mean and their significance in informing work practices.
Ethical Principles and Professional Values
Ethical Principles refer to the fundamental beliefs that dictate what is considered right or wrong in a given context. They provide a framework for decision-making and behavior, guiding individuals on moral conduct in their professional roles. Ethical principles often encompass concepts such as honesty, fairness, respect, and integrity.
Professional Values, on the other hand, are the core beliefs and standards that professionals uphold in their respective fields. These values define the expectations and norms within a profession, shaping how individuals interact with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Professional values reflect the collective ideals and standards of conduct within a particular industry or organization.
Influence on Work Approach
Ethical principles and professional values play a crucial role in informing how individuals approach their work. By adhering to ethical principles, employees ensure transparency, uphold trustworthiness, and maintain credibility in their interactions. Professional values guide decision-making processes, fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and excellence within the workplace.
Standards Supporting Ethical and Professional Practice
1. Code of Conduct:
– The organization’s Code of Conduct outlines expected behaviors and standards of ethics for all employees.
– It provides clear guidelines on how employees should conduct themselves in various situations, ensuring consistency and integrity across the organization.
2. Compliance Regulations:
– Compliance standards ensure that employees adhere to legal requirements, industry regulations, and organizational policies.
– By complying with relevant laws and regulations, employees demonstrate their commitment to ethical practices and professional conduct.
Importance for HR Professionals
Ethical behavior is particularly critical for HR professionals due to their role in managing employee relations, confidentiality, and organizational culture. Upholding ethical standards helps HR professionals build trust with employees, maintain confidentiality in sensitive matters, and promote fairness in decision-making processes.
Potential Consequences of Unethical Behavior
Failure to uphold ethical standards can have severe consequences for HR professionals and organizations as a whole. Some potential consequences of unethical behavior include:
– Damage to reputation and credibility
– Legal repercussions and fines
– Loss of employee trust and morale
– Negative impact on organizational culture and retention rates
In conclusion, ethical principles and professional values serve as cornerstones for maintaining integrity, accountability, and trust in the workplace. By upholding these standards, individuals can contribute to a positive work environment and ensure ethical practices in their professional endeavors.
