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Values Ethics & Morals

Morals and ethics are often used interchangeably but there are key differences. [1] Morals refer to principles of right and wrong as defined by a group or society, dealing with customs and norms. Ethics concern an individual's character and the rightness or wrongness of their actions in a specific situation. [2] Morals can vary between groups and cultures but ethics provide consistent guiding principles. [3] While morals are imposed, ethics allow for independent thinking and choice in how one should act.

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169 views4 pages

Values Ethics & Morals

Morals and ethics are often used interchangeably but there are key differences. [1] Morals refer to principles of right and wrong as defined by a group or society, dealing with customs and norms. Ethics concern an individual's character and the rightness or wrongness of their actions in a specific situation. [2] Morals can vary between groups and cultures but ethics provide consistent guiding principles. [3] While morals are imposed, ethics allow for independent thinking and choice in how one should act.

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Difference Between Morals and Ethics


March 25, 2015 By Surbhi S

We greatly encounter moral and ethical issues, in our day to day life.
Perhaps, these two defines a personality, attitude, and behavior of a person.
The word Morals is derived from a Greek word “Mos” which means
custom. On the other hand, if we talk about Ethics, it is also derived from a
Greek word “Ethikos” which means character. Put simply, morals are the
customs established by group of individuals whereas ethics defines the
character of an individual.

While morals are concerned with principles of right and wrong, ethics are
related to right and wrong conduct of an individual in a particular sitution.
Many use the two terms as synonyms, but there are slight and subtle
differences between morals and ethis, which are described in the article
below.

Content: Morals Vs Ethics

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Examples
5. Conclusion

Comparison Chart
BASIS FOR
MORALS ETHICS
COMPARISON

Meaning Morals are the beliefs of Ethics are the guiding


the individual or group principles which help the
as to what is right or individual or group to decide
wrong. what is good or bad.

What is it? General principles set by Response to a specific


group situation
BASIS FOR
MORALS ETHICS
COMPARISON

Root word Mos which means Ethikos which means


custom character

Governed By Social and cultural Individual or Legal and


norms Professional norms

Deals with Principles of right and Right and wrong conduct


wrong

Applicability in No Yes
Business

Consistency Morals may differ from Ethics are generally uniform.


society to society and
culture to culture.

Expression Morals are expressed in Ethics are abstract.


the form of general rules
and statements.

Freedom to think No Yes


and choose

Definition of Morals

Morals are the social, cultural and religious beliefs or values of an


individual or group which tells us what is right or wrong. They are the rules
and standards made by the society or culture which is to be followed by us
while deciding what is right. Some moral principles are:

 Do not cheat
 Be loyal
 Be patient
 Always tell the truth
 Be generous

Morals refer to the beliefs what is not objectively right, but what is
considered right for any situation, so it can be said that what is morally
correct may not be objectively correct.

Definition of Ethics

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the principles of conduct of


an individual or group. It works as a guiding principle as to decide what is
good or bad. They are the standards which govern the life of a person.
Ethics is also known as moral philosophy. Some ethical principles are:

 Truthfulness
 Honesty
 Loyalty
 Respect
 Fairness
 Integrity

Key Differences Between Morals and Ethics

The major differences between Morals and Ethics are as under:

1. Morals deal with what is ‘right or wrong’. Ethics deals with what is
‘good or evil’.
2. Morals are general guidelines framed by the society E.g. We should
speak truth. Conversely, ethics are a response to a particular
situation, E.g. Is it ethical to state the truth in a particular situation?
3. The term morals is derived from a Greek word ‘mos’ which refers to
custom and the customs are determined by group of individuals or
some authority. On the other hand, ethics is originated from Greek
word ‘ethikos’ which refers to character and character is an attribute.
4. Morals are dictated by society, culture or religion while Ethics are
chosen by the person himself which governs his life.
5. Morals  are concerned with principles of right and wrong. On the
contrary, ethics stresses on right and wrong conduct.
6. As morals are framed and designed by the group, there is no option to
think and choose; the individual can either accept or reject.
Conversely, the people are free to think and choose the principles of
his life in ethics.
7. Morals may vary from society to society and culture to culture. As
opposed to Ethics, which remains same regardless of any culture,
religion or society.
8. Morals do not have any applicability to business, whereas Ethics is
widely applicable in the business known as business ethics.
9. Morals are expressed in the form of statements, but Ethics are not
expressed in the form of statements.
Examples

 If the son of a big politician has committed a crime and he uses his
powers to free his son from legal consequences. Then this act is
immoral because the politician is trying to save a culprit.
 A very close friend or relative of an interviewer comes for an
interview and without asking a single question, he selects him. This
act is unethical because the selection process must be transparent
and unbiased.
 A grocer sells adulterated products to his customers to earn more
profit. This act is neither moral nor ethical because he is cheating his
customers and profession at the same time.

Conclusion

Every single individual has some principles which help him throughout his
life to cope up with any adverse situation; they are known as ethics. On the
other hand, Morals are not the hard and fast rules or very rigid, but they are
the rules which a majority of people considered as right. That is why the
people widely accept them. This is all for differentiating Morals from
Ethics.

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