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Morals vs. Ethics

Morals vs. Ethics. Current Issues - LHS. What Are Morals and Ethics?. MORALS are principles or habits with respect to right or wrong conduct Morals define how things should work, according to an individuals’ ideals & principles

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Morals vs. Ethics

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  1. Morals vs. Ethics Current Issues - LHS

  2. What Are Morals and Ethics? • MORALS are principles or habits with respect to right or wrong conduct • Morals define how things should work, according to an individuals’ ideals & principles • ETHICS are the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc. (lawyers, doctors, cops, etc) • Ethics define how things are, according to the rules

  3. Morals vs. Ethics • Where do they come from? • Morals = individual (internal) • Ethics = social system (external) • Why do we have them? • Morals = Because we believe in something being right or wrong! • Ethics = Because society says it is the right thing to do! • Ex – medical ethics don’t change from hospital to hospital, but are different from a lawyer’s ethics

  4. Morals vs. Ethics • What if we don’t follow them? • Morals = depends; for people with strong morals, it may cause them to feel uncomfortable, remorseful, depressed, etc. • Ethics = we may face peer or societal disapproval, or be fired from our job or lose a license to practice a profession

  5. Morals vs. Ethics • How flexible are they? • Morals are usually consistent, although they could change if an individual’s belief’s change • Ethics are dependent on others for definition; they tend to be consistent within a certain context but can vary depending upon context

  6. Morals vs. Ethics • What is the “gray” area between morals & ethics? • A moral person, although perhaps bound by some sort of higher covenant (let’s say religious), may nevertheless follow a code of ethics that conflicts with their morals (ex – lawyer’s morals = murder is wrong, but their ethics require them to defend an accused murderer) • A person strictly following an ethical system may not have any morals at all • Likewise, one may violate their ethical principles within a given set of rules in order to maintain their moral integrity

  7. Morals vs. Ethics • Who determines acceptability? • Morals transcend cultural norms – religious based, for example • Ethics are governed by professional and legal guidelines within a particular time and place • Ex – medical ethics of the early 20th C. are different than those of the 21st C.

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