Difference between Ethics and Morality - Essay Example

Fundamental concepts what is ethics? What is morality? Are they one and the same? Ethics forms social structures for the rules of behavior in a society. They relate to what people consider as basic values. Ethics philosophically involves the study of moral values in a given culture. Ethics are of three types namely, metaethics, normative ethics, and descriptive ethics. Metaethics is concerned with people decisions on the norms to pursue. Secondly, normative ethics establishes the standards pursued.

Lastly, descriptive ethics provides details on how individuals should behave in a societal setting (Mizzoni, 2009). Conversely, morality is concerned with how people behave in relation to their values. Morality traces its origin to a Latin word “moralis” which translates to “custom”. Morality guides individuals in coming up with ethics in societies. In addition, morality is concerned with individual judgment and conduct. Morality influences behavior and character of individuals in a society (Mizzoni, 2009).

Morality and ethics mean values within a society’s context. Religion and other forms of faith guide morality for the most part, while for ethics, it is multifaceted and based on ideologies. In addition, what a society considers moral in some cases can be contrary to personal values. In studying morality, ethics guides in knowing what constitutes morals. Ethics and morals both promote social justice, with their foundation on the principles of equity. Ethics and morality when adhered to, enhance fairness in a society (Mizzoni, 2009).

In Libertarianism, each one expects mutual benefits as a duty and obligation of the authorities. People attain social justice using ethics in administrative systems. Libertarianism is more moderate when instilling ethics as compared to liberalism. In administration, liberalism aims at individual freedom while libertarianism targets masses and general family values (Mizzoni, 2009). In Liberalism, individuals are free to choose their own ethical code for behavior. However, it insists on some form of regulation to harmonize differences in human values.