Veronica Gomez-Quintero

November 9, 2015
Signature Ethics Essay

Ethics
Ethics means different things for different people. Ethics is open to
each individual and their own interpretation. We are each equipped with our
own moral compass, conscience and set of values. Ethics influence each
persons behavior, their action and judgment. There are situations in which
an ethical solution can be extremely different from one person to another.
Sometimes there is no clear right or wrong answer. Ethics are certainly not
black and white.
My family has owned large portions of land in Mexico for many
generations. My great great grandfather was what I like to call a true
capitalist. One of his properties became extremely valuable when a natural
water source was discovered on the property and he promptly reported this
natural water source to the Mexican government. He was fully aware this
would create a few issues. Soon after the government of Mexico decided to
strip his his water rights and possess the water source. The government
believed they were acting ethically, by possessing it, the water source would
be made available to the entire community, for a price of course, and the
government would gain revenue.

My great grandfather appealed the decision. Ultimately, the

government reversed their claim to the natural water source and my great
grandfather was allowed to retain his water rights. My great grandfather
believed he was acting ethically. He owned the property. He worked the land.
He paid his property taxes. He questioned why the government would be
allowed to come in and take his land and his natural water source? He bodly
stated that if he had done the same, he would have been called a thief. It
would have been very easy for my great grandfather to conceal the natural
water source he had found on his property from the government. He chose
not to do that. He chose to act ethically, to report the natural water resource.
Although he retained his water rights, he felt the desire to share this
resource with the community allowing them to use this natural resource for
drinking water, he allowed their livestock to drink water. He did not,
however, allow the use of this natural water source to gain a profit. To this
day, my family continues to offer this benefit to the community.
People may agree or disagree on what is ethical. Often times, it
depends on which side of the equation people are on. I believe that this is a
perfect example of how ethics can be interpreted differently by different
individuals.
Many people justify fraudulent actions with a noble reason, they may
completely deny fault, act on emotion or simply choose to do the wrong
thing because they can get away with it. These reasons of course are not
acceptable.

Early in my career, I was dragged into a complaint in the work place. A

supervisor had made many comments that were inappropriate to some
female coworkers. This was reported to human resources and an
investigation soon followed. I allowed fear to influence my moral compass
and influence me to the point of sheer panic. Emotions such as fear play a
huge role in our own ethics and decision making. We mustnt like emotions
such as fear deviate our ethical path.
People are responsible to themselves and to others to make ethical
decisions. I have discussed family, emotions and career because these are
areas in which we must act ethically at all time. People believe that because
for when you make a decision that isnt ethical you have changed your value.
I dont believe this is the case. I believe that sometimes we as human beings
can make mistakes, we can make questionable choices, and actions that
arent ethical and learn from these unethical decisions. We can move on
learn and grow from unethical decisions or choices we have made. One
wrong turn does not forever put your life on the wrong path. We must be
willing to change. You must be willing to act ethically despite temptation. Our
life experiences bring color and life to our path. Our experiences create a
foundation for living ethically.