Question

Constitutional values are an important tool for resolving the conflict between personal ethics and professional ethics. Discuss

Answer 1

Personal ethics refers to the ethics that a person identifies with in respect to people and situations that they deal with in everyday life. It is installed through process of socialisation, religion , social influence and persuasion. Professional ethics refers to the ethics that a person must adhere to in respect of their interactions and business dealings in their professional life.It consist of code of conduct, law of the land and service rule of different organisation.

Conflict between Personal Ethics and Professional Ethics:
There may be many instances when personal ethics and professional ethics are conflicting.each other. As for example A district magistrate may believe that dam construction is harmful for ecological biodiversity of aquatic ecosystem but if there is an official duty to construct a dam, then he/she has to go with official duty. So such conflict cause mental dissonance. Similarly, a police officer may believe that Section 377 is not right as per personal ethics. But for Oficial discharge of duty, he /she has to stand by law of land even his/her personal ethics is in conflict. To avoid such a situation, use of emotional intelligence, Code of ethics, Code of Conduct and Constitutional values is desirable.

Constitutional values as an important tool for resolving the conflict:

• Whenever there is a conflict between personal ethics and professional ethics, Constitutional values like Equality, Equity, Justice and fairness can act as a tool for ethical Guidance
• Constitutional values always promote the value of citizen welfare and development of an inclusive society. So whenever there is a conflict between personal ethics and professional ethics, Constitutional value should be taken into consideration to solve the ethical dilemma regarding these conflicting values.
• As for example, due to lack of valid documents, if someone doesn't get the government services, then it is the duty of government officer to help them to get government services. according to professional ethics, but protection and welfare of citizens is prime importance. Such values are also promoted by Constitution.
• So Constitutional values can act as a tool for resolving the conflict between these ethical values and promoting the welfare of citizens.