Ethics deals with the right and wrong conduct of an individual or group of individuals and it is governed by individual/legal/professional norms. Therefore, ethics has applicability in the business. Morals deal with the principles of right and wrong, plus they are governed by social and cultural norms. Therefore, morals have no applicability in business.
Ethics vs morals discussion is responsible for determining right and wrong in behavioral, social, and psychological aspects of our day-to-day lives. Both the terms, ethics, and morals are quite confusing in themselves, and that is why they are often used interchangeably.
However, the difference between ethics and morals is associated with the origin of both terms.
The root word of Ethics is the Greek word ‘Ethikos’ that means character.
The root word of Morals is again a Greek word ‘Mos’ that means custom.
So, morals are actually the beliefs, principles, or customs set by an individual or group of individuals while ethics is a response to a particular situation of an individual that defines the character of that individual.
Table of Contents
What is Ethics?
Ethics revolves around the guiding principles that enable us to decide what is good or bad.
Over the years, the term ethics has evolved into the definition of the wrong or good standards that define human beings’ actions, generally in terms of obligations, rights, fairness, specific virtues, or benefits to the society.
This concept is entirely personal and has nothing to do with other factors like religion.
Towards the evolution of human beings, ethics have taken various shapes concerning different societies and cultures. It is just the constant revision of our moral conduct and moral beliefs, and various institutions have to live up to and shape themselves towards reasonable and dependable founded standards.
It does not point towards specific obligations, but more of the general ones expected to follow in their lives. Examples include refraining from horrendous acts like murder, rape, fraud, cheating, etc.
Instead, it is about following good values like compassion, honesty, and loyalty.
These might include general public standards such as the right to privacy, right to speech, freedom, etc. These are a basis for all human beings being laid on solid and reasonable foundations.
Many organizations today have their self-defined code of ethics and values that have to be followed for smooth processing towards the future. These are equally applicable to every employee of the company, regardless of the rank or position they hold.
What are Morals?
Morals refer to those beliefs that let us determine what is right or wrong.
These are the widespread standards related to the general notion of people living together in groups, through a cooperative and considerate means of living. These are the actions that are labeled as acceptable and suitable by society.
A large proportion of people try to be moral and try to follow the guidelines set by society.
In such an environment, people tend to keep society’s interest in front of them for their entire lives.
This concept is tightly connected to that of religious traditions and is gaining importance in the secular world.
Ethics vs Morals And Key Differences in them
The study of the difference between ethics and morals has been fairly important in the field of philosophical ethicists. These concepts are closely interrelated, and there is not much inherent difference between them. Both these have been topics of study for thousands of years.
However, until recently, ethics was thought of as something that could be applied to a group of people. While ethics is more inclined towards a person’s character and personality, morals are better defined in societal or communal norms.
Based on principles, ethics can be thought of as external standards that have to be followed in a profession (as a lawyer, doctor, policeman, etc.), where participating people are bound to do their duty despite their feelings or moral grounds. This is a framework that is to be followed when part of an institution or a society.
Ethics are widely shared among a group of people, and might not even be in complete agreement with individuals’ thinking. For instance, a hug in public might be immoral to society, while the individual might have innate support.
However, the distinction can prove to be a bit tricky for the individual. In the end, the difference between ethics and morals is not less than a faint line drawn in the sand. The major theoretical differences between these two can be described as follows:
- Practically, ethics are governed by professional rules and legal guidelines. The acceptability of such forms is well-defined following a particular time frame and space. Morality, on the other hand, comes down to the norms that have been defined by culture over the years. Morality is the individual perspective of a person, while ethics are governed by the vision of others.
- Ethics can vary widely as per different contexts, hence paving the way for some flexibility. Morality largely depends on the beliefs of an individual. On the other hand, even though morals are not known to change, some events or situations might drastically change a person’s morals.
- Morality is a quality that is employed because there is a self-belief surrounding the correct course of action, while the thinking that follows ethics takes course because it mostly depends on the thinking of society.
- It might be possible that an ethical person might have no strong moral grounds; in fact, no morality. On the other hand, ethics might be occasionally violated by a morally driven person to continue upholding her/his moral values and beliefs.
- Ethics does not seem to be related to religion; it is associated generally with the fields of medicine, business, or the law. Morals tend to have a connection to religion.
An ethical Person is not always Moral & Vice Versa
While understanding the difference between ethics and morals, it is important to understand that an ethical person will not always be moral or a moral person will not be ethical all the time.
Let us understand this with examples
1. Ethical not being Moral
Amongst the Mafia groups, Omerta is known as the code of silence that group members used for protecting criminals from the police. So, if a group member follows the principle of Omerta, it will be ethically correct for their group but it is morally bad.
2. Moral not being Ethical
If a lawyer tells the court that his or her client is guilty when the client is actually guilty then this act can be morally correct but at the same time, it is ethically wrong as it does not follow the attorney-client privilege.
| Morals | Ethics | |
| 1. | The moral is habits or principles with respect to the right or wrong conduct. It also prescribes us what to do and what not to do. Mainly, morality is a personal regulator that stops us from doing right or wrong. | The set of rules established by a particular class of human or a culture or a group. |
| 2. | It is originated from the inside of an individual. | It is originated and mainly enforced by external forces such as social system. |
| 3. | Morality is followed by an individual because of his/her believe in it. | Ethics are followed by an individual under the influence of society. |
| 4. | Morals are usually consistent and change only when the beliefs of individual changes. | Ethics are dependent on others, and its importance is based on the perception of others. |
| 5. | It has no applicability in the business environment. | It is applicable in a business environment. |
| 6. | Morals are generally expressed in the form of clear rules and statements | Ethics are usually abstract in nature. |
| 7. | An individual does not have the freedom to think and choose. | An individual has the freedom to choose what to follow and what not to follow. |
Here is a video by Marketing91 on Ethics vs Morals.
Examples
The little inclination towards an interviewee might be unethical as the process has to be unbiased and transparent. Vindication of a politician’s son on committing a crime is immoral since the politician uses his power to pardon a culprit.
For a lawyer, it is perfectly ethical to free her client despite knowing that he/she is guilty of the crime committed. The same case might be in constant conflict with her moral grounds: she might find it wrong to free a criminal.
Another instance would be a situation where it would be ethically right for a doctor for euthanizing a patient who is suffering from some kind of disease. The same person might have different innate thinking and might consider this immoral for the same.
These are examples of the practical difference between ethics and morals that separate these two concepts. When pondered upon, both these are quite common in everyday lives, and one must learn to strike a proper balance between these two to have a good life.
Conclusion
On a concluding note, we hope you would have understood the difference between ethics and morals.
All in all, morals are related to the individual feeling of good or bad while ethics help someone determine what behavior is right or wrong.
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