Both morality and ethics have to do with distinguishing the difference between “good and bad” or “right and wrong.” Many people think of morality as something that’s personal and normative, whereas ethics is the standards of “good and bad” distinguished by a certain community or social setting.
Ethics entails decisions based upon individual character, and the more subjective understanding of right and wrong by individuals whereas morality emphasises the widely-shared communal or societal norms about right and wrong.
What is Ethics?
Ethics are the guiding principles which help the individual or group to decide what is good or bad. They are generally the standards which govern the life of a person.
Ethical principles help us in making decisions regarding, what is right or wrong. It informs us about how to act in a particular situation and make a judgment to make better choices for ourselves.
Ethics are more related to professional life. They are codified into a set of rules or formal system and are adopted by people in different fields. Examples of such ethics include legal ethics and medical ethics.
Characteristics of Ethics
- The word ethics comes from the ancient Greek word ‘’ethikos’’, derived from ‘’ethos’’, which means custom or habit.
- Ethics are the guiding principles which help the individual or group to decide what is good or bad.
- Ethics entail standards of what should be. What we ‘’ought’’ to do.
- Ethics is a guiding compass of how one makes choices.
- Ethics are chosen by a person as principles that govern his or her life.
- Ethics remain the same regardless of any culture, religion or influence.
- Ethics do apply to both business and profession.
- Ethics have some degree of flexibility. Ethics can change depending on contexts.
- Ethics is a matter of weighing the pros and cons or the competing values and interest.
- Ethics are more often objectively right. What is ethically right could be objectively correct.
- Some ethical principles include: Truthfulness, honesty, loyalty, respect, fairness, fairplay, and integrity.
What is Morality?
A morality is a system of principles and values concerning people’s behavior, which is generally accepted by a society or by a particular group of people. In other words, morality is the belief that one behavior is right and the other behaviour is wrong. Morals are instituted by society, culture or religion.
Since morals are based on culture or religion, they differ according to different cultures and religions. There are no such thing as universal morals; what is considered right in one religion may be considered as wrong in another religion, for example the issue of polygamy or celibacy.
Characteristics of Morality
- The word morality comes from Latin word ‘’moralis’’ meaning manners or character.
- Morality is a code of behavior usually based on religious tenets, which often inform our ethical decisions.
- Morality is more of what we do- how we actually behave or interact.
- Morality is an established code that can be used to judge behavior.
- Morals are instituted by society, culture or religion.
- Morals may vary from society to society and culture to culture.
- Morals do not necessarily apply to business or profession.
- Change in morality depends on the change in beliefs of an individual.
- Morals is a matter of differentiating good from evil.
- Morals are not necessarily objectively right. In other words, what is morally right may not necessarily be objectively right.
- Some moral principles include: Do not cheat, Be loyal, Be patient, Always tell the truth, Be generous, avoid sex till marriage, respect elders, Marry one wife etc.
Also Read: Difference Between Judgement And Decree
Difference Between Ethics And Morality In Tabular Form
| BASIS OF COMPARISION | ETHICS | MORALITY |
| Etymology | The word ethics comes from the ancient Greek word ‘’ethikos’’, derived from ‘’ethos’’, which means custom or habit. | The word morality comes from Latin word ‘’moralis’’ meaning manners or character. |
| Description | Ethics are the guiding principles which help the individual or group to decide what is good or bad. | Morality is a code of behavior usually based on religious tenets, which often inform our ethical decisions. |
| Form | Ethics entail standards of what should be. What we ‘’ought’’ to do. | Morality is more of what we do- how we actually behave or interact. |
| Role | Ethics is a guiding compass of how one makes choices. | Morality is an established code that can be used to judge behavior. |
| Creation | Ethics are chosen by a person as principles that govern his or her life. | Morals are instituted by society, culture or religion. |
| Change | Ethics remain the same regardless of any culture, religion or influence. | Morals may vary from society to society and culture to culture. |
| Application | Ethics do apply to both business and profession. | Morals do not necessarily apply to business or profession. |
| Flexibility | Ethics have some degree of flexibility. Ethics can change depending on contexts. | Change in morality depends on the change in beliefs of an individual. |
| Nature | Ethics is a matter of weighing the pros and cons or the competing values and interest. | Morals is a matter of differentiating good from evil. |
| Objectivity | Ethics are more often objectively right. What is ethically right could be objectively correct. | Morals are not necessarily objectively right. In other words, what is morally right may not necessarily be objectively right. |
| Examples | Truthfulness, honesty, loyalty, respect, fairness and integrity. | Do not cheat, Be loyal, Be patient, Always tell the truth, Be generous, avoid sex till marriage, respect elders etc. |
Similarity Between Ethics and Morality
- When ethics represents the judgement of right and wrong, Morality helps support it by refinements.
- Ethics studies the behaviour, and Morality provides the practical guidance of that behaviour.
- Both the terms are used to indicate a fine line between what activities should be considered good and what should be considered bad.
- Both ethics and morality work side by side to make the learning of good activities faster.
- Both concepts help any individual to be a better person.
- Both these qualities are desirable for a person.
- Both the terms are interconnected in the way that Morality helps keep alive the essence of ethics and its value.
Also Read: Difference Between Common Law And Civil Law
Conclusion
Ethics leans towards decisions based upon individual character, and the more subjective understanding of right and wrong by individuals – whereas “morals” emphasises the widely-shared communal or societal norms about right and wrong. Put another way, ethics is a more individual assessment of values as relatively good or bad, while morality is a more intersubjective community assessment of what is good, right or just for all.