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UPSC Ethics Notes

Difference between
Ethics and Values
The Difference between Ethics and Values is based on humans' behavior, daily needs, choices, and
opinions. Ethics and Values together are responsible for building a sustainable foundation. Although the
terms are sometimes used interchangeably, ethics refers to a system of guidelines for behavior that is
developed by a community or culture. Values are the opinions that a person consistently holds in high
regard and Morals are the individual or personal perception of things. Morals are dynamic in nature ie., it
depends from person to person. This explains the difference between ethics, morals, and values.

The Difference between Ethics and Values is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam.
It covers a significant part of the General Studies Paper-4 syllabus.

In this article, we shall study in detail the difference between ethics, morals, and values and the difference
between values and ethics UPSC.

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Difference between Ethics and Values

Ethics and values incorporates important facets of human life. Ethics determines what is proper and values
decide what is significant. Ethics and values are used in many professions such as teachers, business,
entrepreneurs, bureaucrats, engineers, doctors, and so on. Check out the difference between ethics and
values in the table given below.

Difference between Ethics and Values

Ethics Values

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that gives a basis to moral Value is defined as the standards and
theory. Ethics is defined as rules of behaviour that deal with ideals that people use to determine what
morality-related issues. is more significant.

Ethics are basically protocols and systems of moral thinking. Values incorporate thinking habits.
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Ethics are a standard set of rules. It is not person dependent. Values are similar to morals because
However, ethics relates to philosophy which possesses moral they are person dependent. A different
outcomes. person can have different values.

Ethics are influenced institutions, organizations, and various A person's values are shaped by their
professions. Professionals in the medical field will adhere to family, their religion, culture, their
different ethical standards than those in the sector of society, etc.
bureaucracy.

Ethics helps to decide what is right or wrong. Values are controlled by different
priorities in life and tell what a person
wants to do or achieve in their life.

Ethics can sometimes also act as a constraint in any given Values act as a motivation to people,
situation. organizations, or institutions.

There are 3 categories of ethics: Normative Ethics, Applied Values are categorized as Social
Ethics, and Meta-Ethics. Values, Aesthetic Values, Moral
Values, Religious Values, etc

Some examples of Ethics are Integrity, Loyalty, Punctuality, Some examples of Values are Prejudice,
and Honesty. Judgement, Perspective, and Dislike.

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Ethics
Ethics is significant in any profession, business, bureaucracy, engineering etc. It is the study of morally
righteous actions and choices, looking at what ought to be done. Human behaviour can be moulded and
shaped by ethics. It helps workers carry out their responsibilities. The science of ethics is the evaluation
of distinctively human aims and the connection between means and those purposes. It is also, in a sense,
the art of managing means so that they can be used to further human objectives.

Characteristics of Ethics
Let’s discuss some of the characteristics of ethics listed below.
• Ethics are universal in nature: These impose duties and ideals on every member of society. In
every aspect of human endeavour, including business and politics, ethics are crucial.
• The distinction of Ethics: There are various ethical norms in every community. One society's
definition of ethical behaviour may differ from another society's.
• No well-defined line separating moral and unethical behaviour. Therefore, it is common for
people to face ethical choices that are exceedingly difficult to make.
• Ideal human conduct should be according to ethics. It serves as a guide for lawmakers as they
develop appropriate legislation to control citizen behaviour.
o Existing norms might provide insightful information, but ethics seeks to challenge them
and put them to the ultimate test.
• Ethics includes the ideas of justice and equity by default. Its main objective is to treat all people
fairly and equally. While they are related, ethics and morality are not the same things.
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• The nature of ethics is normative or prescriptive. It deals with what should be rather than what
is. It is based on principles rather than emotions of approval or dislike.
• Ethics are not bound by laws: But because they enjoy social acceptance, these are more potent
than the law. The term "unethical" refers to behaviour that is at odds with the standards and values
that are currently in place. By pointing out the flaws in the law, ethics serves as a guide for it.
• Applicable in the societal context: An accepted set of moral principles and ideals is known as
ethics.
• Ethics govern human behaviour and conduct: The behaviour of any member of society that
deviates from accepted norms and practises is frowned upon by society.
• Ethics serve as a benchmark for behaviour in both personal and professional settings. Ethics
prevent individuals from making choices and acting in ways that are detrimental to society.
• The conduct of both individuals and groups is related to ethics. Animal, bird, and insect
behaviour is exempt from ethical standards. Only people have the ability to direct and control their
behaviour.
• Ethics are not absolute laws. They represent the attitudes and values of a society. There is a
degree of discretion because one has the choice to follow moral guidelines.

Principles Guiding Ethics

Some of the principles guiding ethics are listed below.
• Non-Violence or Peace: Violence permeates every aspect of society and is its worst problem.
o A fundamental ethical precept is to abstain from violence and to oppose those who use it.
• Benovelance: A fundamental ethical behaviour principle is stated by the beneficence principle.
o This principle states that all of our thoughts and deeds must be focused on making sure that
others gain from them.
• Less Harm: The least amount of harm to others must be caused by our acts is the second ethical
rule to keep in mind.
o Even when we have the best of intentions, there are times when our actions may wind up
hurting someone.
• Autonomy: In essence, this principle argues that we must respect the autonomy of others in their
acts.
o We shouldn't force our opinions on other people.
o This idea assumes that everyone is aware of what is best for themselves.
• Justice: According to the notion of justice, our acts must be fair to all parties involved.
o The fairness concept must serve as the foundation for all ethical decisions.
o There may be instances where deviating from the standard procedure is necessary.
• Truthfulness: The quality of telling, upholding, or maintaining the truth.
o This idea seems to apply to everyone.
o Truthfulness also promotes other virtues like dependability and honesty.

Values
Values are the significant and permanent concepts or beliefs that serve as the foundation for decisions a
person makes in life. It serves as the focal point of our life and a code of conduct. They have a profound
impact on a person's emotional state of mind. They may be moral principles, cultural norms, or business
principles.

Characteristics of Values
Check out the characteristics of values listed below.
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• Values are forces that steer a person's behaviour in a particular direction. It determines our
priorities in life, or what we give top priority.
• Values serves as a motivating factor in peoples decisions. It illustrates what is more significant
to us.
• One of the most imporrnat characteristics of values include Standards of morality and
competence. Less people have values than have attitudes.
• Values resist change and are largely enduring. Values are broader than particular things,
circumstances, or people.
• Values have two characteristics: intensity and substance. The content property emphasises the
significance of a specific code of behaviour. The intensity attribute describes the significance of a
given rule of behaviour.
• A person values can be discover by when we rank a person's values according to their degree
of intensity.
• We all have a hierarchy of values in our value systems, which can be shown by the proportional
weight we give to certain values like freedom, self-respect, honesty, and so on.

Principles Guiding Values

Lets discuss the important principles guiding values.
• Integrity: Integrity is the sole principle that guides the values. It also includes being humble and
gentle. Integrity is a important principle of value that empowers the human being.
• Attitude: Values influences the attitude and behaviour of a person, organisation or institution.
• Perception: It includes personal opinions. There can be different perception of people and every
perception needs to be respected.
• Unity: It is one of the important princoiple of values. Unity binds every human being and it needs
to be carried in ecah and every scenario.

Conclusion
Difference between Ethics and Values tells about the human nature and their behaviour, especially about
their profession, their attitude towards their surroundings, interpersonal relationships and decision making
abilities. In short, ethics are universal values. Values are personal and ethics are standard protociols.
Values are situation dependent however ethics remains same through the circumstances.

Previous Year UPSC Questions on Difference between Ethics and Values

Q 1 Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.’-
Potter Stewart . (2022)
Q 2 Integrity is a value that empowers the human being.” Justify with suitable illustration. (2021)
Q 3 Identify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant. Justify their
inclusion in the matrix. (2021)
Q 4 Discuss the role of ethics and values in enhancing the following three major components of
Comprehensive National Power (CNP) viz. human capital, soft power (culture and policies) and social
harmony. (2020)

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