Ethics
Morals
What are they?:
The rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class
of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc. It defines how thing
are according to the rules.
Principles or habits with respect to right or wrong conduct.It
defines how things should work according to an individuals' ideals and
principles.
Where do they come from?:
Social system - External
Individual - Internal
Why we do it?:
Because society says it is the right thing to do.
Because we believe in something being right or wrong.
What if we don't do it?:
We may face peer/societal disapproval, or even be fired from our
job.
Doing something against one's morals and principles can have
different effects on different people, they may feel uncomfortable, remorse,
depressed etc.
Flexibility:
Ethics are dependent on others for definition. They tend to be
consistent within a certain context, but can vary between contexts.
Usually consistent, although can change if an individual’s
beliefs change.
The "Gray":
A person strictly following Ethical Principles may not have any
Morals at all. Likewise, one could violate Ethical Principles within a given
system of rules in order to maintain Moral integrity.
A Moral Person although perhaps bound by a higher covenant, may
choose to follow a code of ethics as it would apply to a system. "Make
it fit"
Origin:
Greek word"ethos" meaning"character"
Latin word "mos" meaning "custom"
When considering the difference between ethics
and morals, it may be helpful to consider a criminal defense lawyer. Though the
lawyer’s personal moral code likely finds murder immoral and reprehensible,
ethics demand the accused client be defended as vigorously as possible, even
when the lawyer knows the party is guilty and that a freed defendant would
potentially lead to more crime. Legal
ethics must override personal morals for the
greater good of upholding a justice system in which the accused are given a
fair trial and the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The prosecution and court must also deal with the difference
between ethics and morals. In some cases past actions of the accused might
resonate with the current charge, but are kept out of evidence so as not to
prejudice the jury. In a sense, the prosecutor “lies by omission” in
representing the case, never revealing the prejudicial evidence. The same
prosecutor, however, would likely find it reprehensible to fail to tell a friend
if her date had a potentially dangerous or suspect history.
Another area in which ethics and morals can clash is at the
workplace where company ethics can play against personal morality. Corporate
greed that blurs its own ethical lines coupled with unreasonable demands on
time can lead to having to chose between a stressful, demanding and consuming
work ethic, and family obligations seen as moral obligations to spouse and
children. Conversely, people lose jobs every day because of poor personal
morals, employee theft being a common reason for dismissal.
|
Ethics
|
Morals
|
|
|
What are they?:
|
The rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class
of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc. It defines how thing
are according to the rules.
|
Principles or habits with respect to right or wrong conduct.It
defines how things should work according to an individuals' ideals and
principles.
|
|
Where do they come from?:
|
Social system - External
|
Individual - Internal
|
|
Why we do it?:
|
Because society says it is the right thing to do.
|
Because we believe in something being right or wrong.
|
|
What if we don't do it?:
|
We may face peer/societal disapproval, or even be fired from our
job.
|
Doing something against one's morals and principles can have
different effects on different people, they may feel uncomfortable, remorse,
depressed etc.
|
|
Flexibility:
|
Ethics are dependent on others for definition. They tend to be
consistent within a certain context, but can vary between contexts.
|
Usually consistent, although can change if an individual’s
beliefs change.
|
|
The "Gray":
|
A person strictly following Ethical Principles may not have any
Morals at all. Likewise, one could violate Ethical Principles within a given
system of rules in order to maintain Moral integrity.
|
A Moral Person although perhaps bound by a higher covenant, may
choose to follow a code of ethics as it would apply to a system. "Make
it fit"
|
|
Origin:
|
Greek word"ethos" meaning"character"
|
Latin word "mos" meaning "custom"
|
When considering the difference between ethics
and morals, it may be helpful to consider a criminal defense lawyer. Though the
lawyer’s personal moral code likely finds murder immoral and reprehensible,
ethics demand the accused client be defended as vigorously as possible, even
when the lawyer knows the party is guilty and that a freed defendant would
potentially lead to more crime. Legal
ethics must override personal morals for the
greater good of upholding a justice system in which the accused are given a
fair trial and the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The prosecution and court must also deal with the difference
between ethics and morals. In some cases past actions of the accused might
resonate with the current charge, but are kept out of evidence so as not to
prejudice the jury. In a sense, the prosecutor “lies by omission” in
representing the case, never revealing the prejudicial evidence. The same
prosecutor, however, would likely find it reprehensible to fail to tell a friend
if her date had a potentially dangerous or suspect history.
Another area in which ethics and morals can clash is at the
workplace where company ethics can play against personal morality. Corporate
greed that blurs its own ethical lines coupled with unreasonable demands on
time can lead to having to chose between a stressful, demanding and consuming
work ethic, and family obligations seen as moral obligations to spouse and
children. Conversely, people lose jobs every day because of poor personal
morals, employee theft being a common reason for dismissal.
In society, we are all faced with the butting heads of ethics and
morals. Abortion is legal (in India partially) and therefore medically ethical, while many people
find it personally immoral. Fundamentalists, extremists, and even mainstream
theists all have different ideas about morality that impact each of our lives,
even if indirectly through social pressures or legal discrimination.
In the case of homosexuality, many believe it is morally wrong,
yet some of the same people also believe it is unethical to discriminate
legally against a group of people by disallowing them the same rights afforded
heterosexuals. This is a plain example of ethics and morals at battle. Ethics
and morals are central issues as the world strives to overcome current
challenges and international crossroads. Hopefully, in the coming years, a
growing understanding will lead to peaceful and productive solutions.
 |
