So a conversation about ethical and moral decision-making is important. The words derive respectively from the word in Greek ethos, ethikos and Latin mores, moralis , variously translated as customs, manners or social norms. In fact, however, it is possible to differentiate the Greek root of ethics from the Latin root of morality in a way that may be practically helpful. Put another way, ethics is a more individual assessment of values as relatively good or bad, while morality is a more intersubjective community assessment of what is good, right or just for all.
In approaching such a question, the individual ethical answer can be limited by its essential egotism. Since recognition of others is implicit to moral questions, according to the distinction made above, moral questions can and must be answered universally.
This requires having a shared dialogue — precisely since these questions deal with good, right, and justice for all. Put another way, moral decision-making relocates ethical decision-making away from an individualistic reflection on imperatives, utility or virtue, into a social space.
This is a good thing that shows that you are willing to learn and understand those with differing ideas and opinions. Working with a therapist could prove to be beneficial as you sort out what you do and find to be acceptable parts of your own personal moral code.
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We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. What Is Morality? What Is Ethics? Are These Terms Relative? Morality Morality is a person or society's idea of what is right or wrong, especially in regard to a person's behavior.
Ethics The big difference when it comes to ethics is that it refers to community values more than personal values. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Theological : Some people care about what will happen after death, to their soul or spirit.
So, that is out of the way. We know that we should be moral and so should others and without some sense of morality it would be very difficult if not impossible for large numbers of humans to be living with one another.
Now to the questions that deal with the rules of morality and all the rules which govern human behavior. First, some terms need to be clarified. Mores - customs and rules of conduct. Etiquette — rules of conduct concerning matters of relatively minor importance but which do contribute to the quality of life. Violations of such rules may bring social censure. Etiquette deals with rules concerning dress and table manners and deal with politeness.
Friendships would not likely break up over violations of these rules as they would for violating rules of morality, e. But they are made up by people to encourage a better life. In each society there are authorities on these matters and there are collections of such rules.
Many books are sold each year to prospective brides who want to observe the proper rules of decorum and etiquette. There are newspapers that have regular features with questions and answers concerning these matters. This deals with matters such as when do you place the napkin on your lap when you sit at a dining table?
How long do you wait on HOLD on a telephone call with someone with call waiting? Should you use a cell phone at the dining table? Should you have a beeper on or a cell phone on in class?
In a movie theatre? Morality - rules of right conduct concerning matters of greater importance. Violations of such can bring disturbance to individual conscience and social sanctions.
Law- rules which are enforced by society. Violations may bring a loss of or reduction in freedom and possessions. What is the relation of law to morality? Morality is something one feels intuitively. Ethics is a map of how one makes choices. Morality is an established code that can be used to judge behavior. Morality is more of an inherent truth that doesn't change, or changes very little.
I think of morality as being personal -- what MY principles and boundaries are. Ethics are more of a standard -- rules or policies of how one should act. Ethics contains standards of what should be. What we "ought" to do. Morality is more of what we do - how we actually behave - focused on what "is". What do these responses tell you? There may be a consensus that ethics and morality are different in some way, but there is far from a consensus about precisely what that difference is or even how people define the two terms.
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