Difference Between Ethics and Morality

Difference Between Ethics and Morality



The 2 words ethics and morality are very closely affiliated and consequently their vocabulary usage might be frequently confused. At the very onset, let it be clearly understood that while ethics conform to code of behavior with regards to a group such as family, community or professional place; morals are more individualised in their definition. Ethics structure a social system or a philosophy wherein the morals are applicable.

The terminology of ethics encompasses national ethics, social ethics, company ethics, professional ethics, or even family ethics. Since these are fundamental values adopted in one's immediate surroundings, consequently their application might vary within different situations. Ethics are also cardinal when it comes to social law and politics. Ethical standards aid in restraining human behavior from acts of misconduct such as rape, stealing, murder, assault, slander and fraud. They also lay down specifications with respect to qualities such as honesty, compassionateness and loyalty.

Morality, however, is more of a individualised code of conduct. It pertains to one's individual conscience or feelings of what is right and what is wrong. Morals aid in leading a chastised or good life. An area where the differentiation between ethics and morals can be well comprehended is any work establishment. The ethics of the company outline the values of the organization as a whole that might or might not be in sync with one's personal moral feelings. Similarly, the difference between the 2 terms is very evident in terms of legality as well. In a specific case, a lawyer might personally find an act immoral but the judgment is always based on legal ethics. In the same way, you might morally disagree with the construct of homosexuality but it would be ethically wrong to discriminate human rights based on sexual preferences.