Distinction between

Ethics and Morality

Divisions of Ethics. There are two major divisions of Ethics namely:

a. General Ethics – presents usually the basic truths about

human acts and from these truths infers the general principles of
morality.
b. Applied Ethics - it is also called special ethics. It applies the
principles of general Ethics in various specific areas of human life
and activity both individual and social
The Material and Formal Objects of Ethics. To clarify further, the object of
study in Ethics are the following:

a. Human Act or Human Conduct. The material object of science is

the subject matter with which science deals in its study. In the case of
ethics, the material object is the human act or the human conduct. The
human acts are those acts done by a human person in which his rational
and higher faculties of intelligence and free will are utilized.

b. Morality or Moral Rectitude. The formal object of science is the

very viewpoint, setting, or perspective employed in dealing with its
material object. In the case of ethics, the formal object is the morality or
moral rectitude of human act.
Morality of Human Acts. As defined, morality is that quality of human
acts by which some of them are called good or right while others evil or
wrong. In other words, morality refers to that quality of goodness or
badness of a human act. This quality is determined by the kind of human
act that is performed.

Everyday, we pass judgement on the morality of human action. For

example, you will say; “what he did was right.” Or “What he did was
wrong.” This shows that there is a fundamental and objective distinction
of right and wrong, which we call moral in human actions. While there is
difference in opinion as to the nature of morality which will be discussed
later, all are agreed that there are some actions that are good and some
actions that are bad.
To go deeper on the said quality of good and evil, the question now is;
what makes good, good? And what makes evil, evil? As far as ethics
being a moral philosophy is concerned, an act is good when it is in
agreement or in conformity with the dictates of right reason. And it is evil
when it is not in conformity with the dictates of right reason. Now, what
makes reason right? As far as ethics is concerned, reason is
considered right when it is in conformity with the truth which must be
objective in its sense. Meaning, the truth is not that which is acceptable
only to some but not to all. The truth is rather universally acceptable to
all human persons regardless of time, space, and culture. How is it
possible? It is intrinsically inscribe within the nature of man to be able to
recognize and distinguish right from wrong. It is within his nature to tend
to do good and avoid evil. This natural tenet is universally upheld,
regardless of beliefs, customs, opinions and race.
This is the reason why we should have a norm or standard of morality
that is hopefully objective. A reasonable standard of right and wrong in
human acts. A moral norm that serve as an ideal vision of a human
person or an ideal stage or perfection of his being. In other words, it is
that which makes man more fully and truly human.

Ethics and Morality. Though ethics and morality, by virtue of their

etymological meaning share the same meaning or relations, but the two
disciplines also have distinction (Sambajon Jr., 2011).
Relation Distinction
1. Both ethics and morality deal with human act or human conduct.
2. Ethics studies about morality.
 Ethics pertains to the acquisition of knowledge of what to study about;
Morality pertains to the application of this knowledge in the performance of human
act.

Morality gives ethics a perspective of what to study about - that is the rectitude
of whether an act is good or bad.

Morality provides ethics with a quality that determines and distinguish right
conduct from wrong conduct.

Ethics provides learning about the morality of a human conduct;

Morality provides ways of practicing what is learned.

Ethics is the ‘word’; Morality is the ‘flesh.’

 The phrase "Ethics is the ‘word’; Morality is the ‘flesh’"

It suggests a relationship between ethics as a set of

guiding principles or theoretical frameworks ("the
word") and morality as the lived expression or practical
embodiment of those principles in real-world actions
("the flesh").
Ethics as the ‘Word’: Ethics represents the ideas,
principles, and philosophical frameworks that help
guide our understanding of right and wrong. It’s often
abstract and focuses on establishing guidelines,
theories, or codes of conduct. Ethical theories, such
as utilitarianism or deontology, provide frameworks we
can use to analyze situations and make judgments.
Ethics is discussed and debated in academic, legal,
and social contexts to establish what should ideally be
considered right or wrong.
Morality as the ‘Flesh’: Morality, on the other hand,
is how these ethical principles are put into practice
in daily life. It's the tangible, lived expression of
ethical ideas, influenced by personal experiences,
cultural values, and societal norms. Morality is felt
and enacted in decisions and actions, shaping
relationships and community interactions. Unlike
ethics, which can be theoretical, morality is rooted
in practice and can vary widely from person to
person and culture to culture.
In essence, this analogy implies that ethics provides
the framework or "blueprint," while morality brings
that blueprint to life in the real world. Ethics guides
our understanding, while morality is how we embody
and apply that understanding. The phrase captures
the idea that it’s not enough to have ethical
knowledge (the word); true moral integrity requires
us to act on that knowledge, turning principles into
practice (the flesh).
Ethics indicates the ‘theory’; Morality indicates the ‘practice.’

Morality and other Phases of Human life. Morality is the basic element of
human life and cannot be separated from other phases of human
activity. (Montemayor, 1994).
a. Ethics and Education. Education develops the whole aspects of
man as a rational moral being. For this reason, the primary objective of
education should be the moral development of man. Our Constitution
mandates the formation of moral character as the first and primary goal
of education.
b. Morality and Law. Morality and Law are intimately related. Right
and wrong, good and bad in human actions presupposes a law or rule of
conduct. There is however a striking difference between what is moral
and what is legal. The legal only covers the external acts of man; The
moral governs even the internal acts of man, such as the volitional and
the intentional of the will and the mind specifically man’s though and
desires.
c. Ethics and Art. Ethics stands for moral goodness; art for beauty.
But as transcendental the beautiful and the good are one. Evil always
implies ugliness or defects and the good is always beautiful since it is
the very object of desire and therefore, like beauty, pleases when
perceived.
d. Ethics and Politics. Politics has often become very dirty and the
reason is precisely because it is separated from ethics.
e. Religion and Ethics. This is the closest relation in the phases of
human activity. True ethics can never be separated from God. What is the
ultimate ground of right and wrong should come from the God, the first
Law giver.
In Conclusion, according to Moga, “Life challenges us to live in all areas,
balancing a mature moral sensitivity with a well-rounded involvement in
other areas of life.”
Importance of Ethics. The importance of the study of ethics follows
immediately from the importance of ethics itself. The following are the
main reasons:

1. Ethics means right and good moral character; and it is in good

moral character that man finds his true worth and perfection.
2. Education is the harmonious development of the whole man
particular the formation of reason and the will. Thus, the primary
objective of education is the moral development of the will.
3. According to Socrates, “the unexamined life is not worth living.” As
it is defined, ethics is the investigation of the meaning of life. Likewise,
Plato considers ethics as the supreme science for it provides the
supreme purpose of human living.
Written Tasks:
1. Give two definitions of ethics and explain the terms found
therein.
2. What does the word science mean as applied in Ethics?
3. Differentiate ethics and morality and how are both disciplines
related.
4. How important is Ethics to man?
In this activity, you are required to expound
your answer to each of the questions below.
1. Is an act that is legal also and necessarily moral?
2. Is it possible to arrive at an objective standard of Morality? and
why?
3. Are all human experiences subject to morality? and why?
4. Should all areas of human existence be covered by ethics? Why
and why not?
Activity:
1. Look for an article or news in the net that deals with a particular
contemporary ethical issue. Present your conclusion why the
issue is an ethical one.
An act that is legal is not necessarily moral, as legality and
morality operate on different principles. Legal standards are
based on laws created by governments, which are intended to
maintain social order and protect rights, while moral standards are
based on individual or cultural values about what is right or wrong.
For example, discrimination in hiring based on gender might be
illegal in many places, but in some countries, there are still legal
loopholes or unregulated areas where gender bias is not strictly
enforced. Even if it’s technically allowed by law, many would
consider it morally wrong to discriminate based on gender, as it
goes against the principle of fairness and equal opportunity. Thus,
an act's legality does not always align with moral standards.
Arriving at an objective standard of morality is a complex issue
because morality is often influenced by cultural, religious, and
individual beliefs, which can vary widely across societies and
contexts. Some philosophers argue that objective morality is possible by
identifying universal principles that apply to all humans, such as principles
that promote well-being, reduce harm, or respect autonomy. For example,
concepts like justice, fairness, and non-violence are often seen as moral
standards that could potentially apply universally. However, others argue
that morality is inherently subjective because it is shaped by personal
experiences, emotions, and social constructs. Cultural relativism, for
example, suggests that moral beliefs are only true or valid within specific
cultural or social contexts. While some moral philosophers believe that
frameworks like utilitarianism (maximizing happiness and minimizing
suffering) or Kantian ethics (following universal moral laws) offer pathways
to objective morality, achieving consensus on a single standard remains
challenging due to the diversity of moral thought around the world.
Not all human experiences are subject to morality. Morality generally
applies to actions and decisions that impact others or involve
considerations of right and wrong, harm, and benefit. Experiences that
are purely personal, such as private thoughts, emotions, or involuntary
responses, typically fall outside the scope of moral evaluation, as they
do not directly affect others or result from conscious ethical choices. For
example, feeling anger or sadness is a human experience that doesn't
inherently carry moral weight. However, how a person chooses to act on
those feelings—such as using anger constructively or harming others in
response—can be subject to moral scrutiny. Similarly, personal
preferences or tastes, such as choosing a favorite color or type of food,
usually don't carry moral implications unless they influence behavior
that affects others.In summary, experiences are subject to morality
primarily when they involve ethical choices or impact others. Otherwise,
personal experiences are generally neutral from a moral perspective.
Not all areas of human existence necessarily need
to be covered by ethics. Ethics is essential in areas
where human actions impact others, involve
choices between right and wrong, or concern the
well-being of individuals and societies. However,
there are aspects of life that may not require ethical
oversight, especially when they pertain to purely
personal choices or areas with minimal societal
impact.
Why Some Areas Should Be Covered by Ethics:
Protection of Rights and Welfare: Ethics is crucial in areas like
medicine, business, law, and government, where decisions directly
affect people's lives, rights, and welfare. For example, medical
ethics ensures that patients are treated with respect and autonomy.
Guiding Fairness and Justice: Ethics plays a key role in ensuring
fairness and justice in social systems. In politics, economics, and
social interactions, ethical standards help promote equity and
reduce harm.
Building Trust and Responsibility: Ethics fosters trust in
relationships and institutions. In fields such as education and
journalism, ethical guidelines maintain credibility, responsibility,
and transparency.
Why Some Areas Might Not Need Ethical Oversight:

Personal Preferences and Tastes: Certain areas of human

existence, like aesthetic preferences, hobbies, and personal
lifestyle choices, typically do not have ethical implications unless
they harm others. For instance, choosing one's favorite art style or
clothing is generally ethically neutral.

Private Thoughts and Emotions: Ethics usually applies to actions,

not to private thoughts and feelings, as they don’t directly affect
others. Thoughts and emotions become ethically relevant only
when they lead to actions that impact others.
In conclusion, ethics is vital for areas that influence the
well-being of others, involve social responsibility, or require
justice and fairness. However, areas limited to personal
preferences or inner experiences may not need ethical
oversight, as they don't typically have consequences for
society or others. Balancing ethical considerations in
relevant areas without overextending them into personal
aspects can respect individual autonomy while promoting
collective well-being.
 The Human Person: A Moral Being
Person – is a substance imbued with the rational faculties of
intellect and free will. It has the activity of knowing and willing. It
acts in freedom for it is a free being.
Human Person – refers to a substance imbued with embodied
rational faculties and operations. He is a rational animal. To a
believer, this refers to a substance essentially composed of body
and soul as created in the image and likeness of God with rational
faculties of intellect and free will.
Brute – refers to lower animals.
The human person is an embodied person. They operate with the
faculties of intellect and free will within the confines of their bodily
existence. The human person has a body with all the accompanying
lower faculties, functions and operations similar to those of a brute
animal. In terms of his rationality, the human person has a rational
soul endowed with the faculties of intellect and free will. The rational
soul is a spiritual being whose operation are thinking, willing and
loving. The intellect as a rational faculty tends towards truth as its
object while the Free will tends towards the good as its object. The
human person is capable of reasoning, thinking and searching for and
knowing the truth because of his intellect. He is also capable of
willing, of doing good and of loving as the greatest kind of good
because of his free will.
 Human Nature
Nature is that which makes a thing what it is from which it acts
accordingly. The nature of a being can be discovered through its action.
No being can act beyond its nature, beyond that which makes it what it
is. An exception occurs when a supernatural power intervenes enabling
certain being to act beyond the limits of its nature. Various beings may
have similarities in actions may be because of similar components of
their nature. Nevertheless, one’s nature may become essentially
different when it has other essential constitutive ingredients like in the
case of man. Man is an animal, but he is a rational animal. Thus, he is
essentially distinct from brute animals.
Man is a person by reason of his rational soul. He is a
human person by reason of the existence of his
human body and human soul. In other words, the
human person is an integration of both body and soul
without any one of which he is not a human person.
The body and soul co-exist in the human person. He is
an “ensouled body” a “embodied spirit.” The human
person needs the human soul with its faculties to
know the truth and do what is good. He also needs the
human body so as to actually put into bodily order the
acts of knowing the truth and of willing the good.
 Morality and Human Nature
The norm of morality determining and distinguishing what is good to
be done from what is evil to be avoided is in harmony with the
rational faculties of the intellect and free will whose operations are
to know the truth, do good, and avoid evil. Nevertheless, since not
infrequently, the mind and the will may be clouded and blinded by
circumstances that may otherwise impair their natural operations,
the norm of morality plays a significant role in making said faculties
tend toward its objects. Once the rational faculties, somehow
conform to what the norm of morality demands, which in the first
place, is what they should tend toward, the said faculties are
guided and perfected. This perfectly orders their operations to what
they ought to tend – to do good and avoid evil. Thus, the norm of
morality perfects human nature making man fully and more human.
 The Human Person as a Moral Being
Man is a moral person by reason of his innate and natural power to
determine and distinguish what is good from what is evil, and what
perfects from what distorts human nature as aided by the norm of
morality. This innate and natural power is guided by the knowledge of
truth about the morality of human conduct which its norms provides.
And if man gets to know about it, he upholds his innate power by
choosing and opting to do what is good and avoid what is evil.
Choosing and opting presuppose the exercise of human freedom. But
what is human freedom? We actually have different notions of
freedom. However, human freedom is deeply embedded in human
nature as an essential character of human nature. Therefore, it is
logical to draw the meaning and purpose of human freedom from what
human nature is all about and is for.
The human nature’s inclination to do good and avoid evil
should also be what freedom consist of. It is for this reason
that the true meaning of human freedom consists in the
choice or option of conforming one’s action to his human
nature that is, to do good and avoid evil in the light of truth.
St John Paul II simply expressed it in this way. “Freedom
consist not in doing what we like but in having to do what
we ought to do.” The human person as a moral being is an
individual who exercise his freedom to do good and avoid
evil. And, it is the knowledge of truth that widens the
horizon of one’s freedom towards the perfection of his
nature.
 The Dignity of the Human Person and Living a
Moral life
The dignity of man may be recognized through the existence of man’s
freedom. Man, by nature is a free being. Nobody can take away that
freedom. It is an essential element of human actions from which the
meaning of human existence proceeds. It is by freedom that man
achieves the fullness of life. To a Christian believer, the human person
is a dignified being on the grounds of his origin, meaning, and destiny as
revealed by Christ created according to the image and likeness of God.
Living a moral is an affirmation of human dignity as it basically consists
in doing good and avoiding evil which is meant to dignify the rational
nature of man ordered to truth and goodness as an image of God. In
other words, human dignity necessitates living a moral life.
Activity 1. Let us try to check your understanding of the topics. Write your answers to
the space provided below every after each question.

1. What is a human person?

2. How is the interplay of human nature and morality works?

3. How morality perfects human nature?

4. What is true freedom?