My view on ethics

I believe that ethics is for the most part an arbitrary concept in which each person has their own viewpoint. I do also believe that there is an umbrella that covers "Right" and "Wrong". While peoples views can be different most topics, people will have similar views on big ticket issues. Whats right to one person is not necessarily right to another person. Is making sacrifices for your community considered good if it jeopardizes your own well being? Is focusing on yourself considered good if it throws the sanctity of the community into question? How does each person come about their own moral code, is it inherited or is it a product of your environment? 

Defining an ethical code for me is tricky, because each situation has different circumstances which warrant various responses. I think a big end goal of living an ethical life is personal happiness. Achieving at least a base level of happiness is important because to a certain extent your won happiness dictates your attitude. If you are not personally fulfilled then your attitude towards others reflects your lack of happiness. I don't have a particular memory or experience that I could attribute to my ethical values but I do believe that your ethical code is molded by those you have relationships with