`MORAL COMPASS ESSAY
What is moral compass?
An internalized set of values and objectives that guide a person about ethical behavior and decision-making. According to Lindsay,
My personal values have developed over time based on experiences, and I can lay claim to having my values developed across most, if not all of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development. As often said, the moral compass is rooted in a wisdom tradition. My moral compass is mostly built on parental instructions during childhood and the teachings of the Christian faith. The Christian faith teaches Love, Service and help for the weak as encapsulated in the story of the good Samaritan. I also learned the values of fairness, loyalty and truthfulness from my background where communal living was prevalent. I also learned strong work ethic from my mother who was a school teacher, business woman and a parent at the same time.
The formation continued as I joined a commercial Bank whose motto was “Integrity begins with I”. It was an organization that instilled the value of Integrity in employees in addition to encouraging and rewarding team work, excellence, and discipline.
My moral compass can be described by what Thompson defines as the four generic categories of moral meaning and experience: code, vision, fitness, and performance.
VISION
My moral vision is the achievement of equity and justice for all. This vision is rooted in my wisdom tradition which finds root in my religion. I cannot talk about my moral vision without reference to the first premier of western Nigeria as it was then known in person of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. When I was growing up, there were several references about his selfless service and how he sought to achieve social equity through the free education program he introduced in the region. His impeccable character is still a term of reference all over the country so much that identifying with him still carries enormous electoral capital.
FITNESS
According to Johnson, moral fitness is “ritualized action that expresses and reflects the vision and values of moral identity. The disciplined cultivation of character, including the conditioned ability to assume moral responsibility for recognizing and responding effectively to moral challenges requiring decision or action, is a traditional element of religious practice.”
As a youth pastor, I have made it a practice to organize the youth towards offering communal service and to show love to people considered as outcasts in the society. Often times, as a leader, I have been faced with making decision on how best to apply funds. This are circumstances that are “right versus right” circumstances. I have had to fall back on my moral vision of service, love and support for the weak in taking a decision on how to apply funds.