Sunday, April 22, 2012

Moral Values

http://jneedham.iweb.bsu.edu/408/Keith-Spiegel%20--%2024%20moral_characteristics_list.htm
our assignment is to write a first-person essay telling me how you interpret each of these and whether you practice each of them. (i.e. #8.What does "being "just and fair" mean to you, and are you "just and fair" with others?)

You must deal with all 24 and 2 additional Moral Characteristics: Valuing Life and Competitiveness.

The final paragraph should be a narrative about an ethical dilemma you encountered earlier in your life and how you resolved it. Again, this is all confidential. I will not share this with anyone, and I will not keep a copy of what you write. I will, however, grade the thoroughness and writing qualities of what you present to me in this assignment. It is worth 100 points. If your essay is incomplete or deficient in terms of grammar or other writing characteristics, you will be required to upgrade it and return it for an additional evaluation. Each time that happens, the points possible will decrease by ten points.

This is a required assignment in order to pass this class.
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1 . Being Honest, Truthful, Trustworthy— is frank and open, refraining from lying, stealing, or
       cheating
2.  Having Integrity— is principled—being of sound moral character, showing courage of convictions, standing up for what is     
        right.

3.   Being Caring/ Compassionate/ Benevolent—shows good will, generosity; charitable, considerate, kind.
4.   Doing One’s Civic Duty—abides by the laws and rules; does fair share; participates in community betterment.
5.   Having Courage—does what is right, even in the face of personal consequences, rejection by others, or danger.
6.  
Being Willing to Sacrifice—gives of oneself or one's possessions to help others or for something one believes in.
7.   Maintaining Self-Control— is able to stay calm and rational, even under conditions of temptation, stress, or aggravated assault (such as being teased or "put down') by others.
8.   Being just and Fair—treats others as you would want them to treat you; rules applied equitably; does not discriminate on improper basis.
9.   Being Cooperative—gets along well with others, willing to compromise; committed to the concept of neighborhood, society, country, and world.
10.   Being Persevering/ Diligent—puts out best effort and works hard; does not give up easily; keeps trying despite hardships; self‑reliant.
11.   Keeping Promises— attempts to keep commitments, reliable, dependable.
12.   Doing no harm—considers the potential for physical or emotional harm to others and avoids that harm.
13.     Pursuing excellence/ takes pride in work—does one's best; is not unduly influenced by setbacks or external pressures to do less than one can.
14.     Taking personal responsibility—is accountable, dependable, amenable; considers consequences and accepts responsibility for own actions or inactions; does not shift blame for own mistakes to others.
15.   Having Empathy —is able to identify with another's feelings or point of view in order to better understand him/her.
16.   Benefiting others —makes decisions that have the potential for a positive effect on others.
17.   Having Respect for others —Acknowledges and honors the rights, freedom, and dignity of others.
18.     Having Patience ‑- knows that good products, actions and outcomes take time; can delay gratification; does not leap before looking.
19.   Being Forgiving -- is able to leave upsetting and hurtful things behind; stops the cycle of the hurt to others or oneself; does not seek revenge.
20.   Making Peace ‑- is able to compromise, to talk things out without resorting to violence, to seek solutions to problems that will be in everyone's best interests; values calmness and safety.
 
The "PESKY FOUR" (The ones that pose exceptional difficulties in application. )
21.   Having Fidelity/ Loyal -- shows faithfulness, trustworthiness, keeps commitments, doesn't talk behind others' backs, remains a good friend even in hard times. Problem: Essential to in-group survival, but has also been used to justify immoral acts against outsiders; allows for protection of destructive members within the group—punishes within‑group members for attempting to weed out its unethical or unfit, even if the group might be harmed if the immoral behavior continues (Snitch syndrome).
22.   Respecting Autonomy --- respects the rights of individuals to decide how to live their lives. Problem #1: Essential to a free society, but what if the decisions are harmful (physically, mentally, or morally) to themselves or others? Problem #2: What are the markers (age, illness, actions) for withholding autonomy?
23.   Being Tolerant —is able to recognize and respect the differences among people, does not discriminate just because someone is different; acknowledges positive characteristics, not just limitations. Problem: Does everyone deserve tolerance? Current debate is whether tolerance for diversity has blunted people's interest and ability to make sound moral judgments about others and even themselves (that is, diversity, as in “anything goes" or "whatever ... “).
24.   Having Self-respect -- has due regard for one's own reputation and long‑term image of a "good" person; does not abuse
        one’s own body or act in trivial ways that are dangerous to oneself; cares about one's own Yourself? (Your conscience ?)
        character: is comfortable with oneself (self‑esteem). Problem: Potential for self‑absorption and narcissism.
 
My additions to Keith-Spiegel's list.
25.   Competitiveness

26.   Valuing Life

Background
   A Moral Education Committee (Jawatankuasa Pendidikan Akhlak) was formed in 1976 comprising prominent members respecting various religions in the country. This committee deliberated on moral values inherent in each religion and finally identified 16 universal moral values supported by all. In the ISSC, these 16 umbrella values have been expanded to 80 values.


1. KINDHEARTEDNESS
    1.1  Compassionate
    1.2  Considerate
    1.3  Generous
    1.4  Understanding
    1.5  Forgiving

2. SELF-RELIANCE
    2.1  Responsible
    2.2  Independent
    2.3  Industrious
    2.4  Self-confident

3. HUMILITY
    3.1  Polite
    3.2  Admitting one's mistake
    3.3  Friendly

4. MUTUAL RESPECT
    4.1  Respect and loyal towards parents
    4.2  Respect for the elderly, teachers, peers, leaders and neighbours
    4.3  Respect for king and country
    4.4  Respect for basic rights
    4.5  Respect for beliefs and cultures of various races
    4.6  Respect for individual rights
    4.7  Adherence to the rule of law
    4.8  Adherence to time (punctual)
    4.9  Value wisdom, experience and deeds
    4.10  Value manual labour
    4.11  Value self-respect

5. LOVE
    5.1  Love for life
    5.2  Love for the environment
    5.3  Love for the country
    5.4  Love for peace and harmony

6. JUSTICE
    6.1  Just
    6.2  Fair

7. FREEDOM
    7.1  Freedom within the law
    7.2  Freedom within the democratic system

8. COURAGE
    8.1  Brave
    8.2  Stand up to the truth
    8.3  Resolute
    8.4  Responsible/Accountable

9. CLEANLINESS OF BODY AND MIND
    9.1  Physical cleanliness
    9.2  Environmental cleanliness
    9.3  Well-mannered in words and actions
    9.4  Healthy and constructive thoughts

10. HONESTY/INTEGRITY
    10.1  Trustworthy
    10.2  Speaking the truth
    10.3  Sincere

11. DILIGENCE
    11.1  Courageous
    11.2  Pro-active/Resourceful
    11.3  Dedicated to work
    11.4  Determined
    11.5  Hardworking

12. COOPERATION
    12.1  Spirit of brotherhood
    12.2  Collective responsibility
    12.3  Helping one another
    12.4  Tolerance
    12.5  Common good
    12.6  Unity

13. MODERATION
    13.1  Moderation in reconciling personal needs with... (this part is missing, will update)
    13.2  Not excessive in words and actions

14. GRATITUDE
    14.1  Thankful
    14.2  Grateful
    14.3  Appreciative

15. RATIONALITY
    15.1  Able to form judgements
    15.2  Able to reason
    15.3  Open minded and able to think logically

16. PUBLIC SPIRITEDNESS
    16.1  Subscribing to consensus
    16.2  Subscribing to the spirit of neighbourliness
    16.3  Sensitive to social issues in the community

[Translated from the Malay version by:
Haji Abdul Aziz Sultan
Zainurin Abdul Rahman
Tunku Badariah Tunku Ahmad]

   I hope this is useful and helps you especially if you're a teacher trainee! When I wrote lesson plans as part of my assignments, I was also scratching my head because I didn't have a list of moral values (which is an essential element in all lesson plans- you can look at the example I've provided), until one of my lecturers gave us a list when we were in IIUM. Thank you, Dr. Ismail! Unfortunately I lost it... bla bla bla, long story, but since I couldn't find it on the internet either when I looked, here it is! Hope it helps you.

   All the best to my TESL friends who are heading for practicum... you are all CEMERLANG candidates! Insya-Allah :)

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