The Difference Between Morals and Ethics - Essay Example

? The Difference between Morals and Ethics (Add (Add (Add The Difference between Morals and Ethics Although the differences between the terms ‘Ethics’ and ‘Morals’ can be somewhat illogical to many, there exists an indispensable distinction between these two. Moral attributes a personal character while ethics focus on a social system in which morals are applied. The moral codes of a person usually remain stable, while the ethics he practices can be other-dependent. The term ethics refers to a set of rules and regulations, principles, or ways of thinking that controls the actions of an individual or a particular group. It is a systematic evaluation and reasoning of how we ought to perform depending on various contexts. As Desnoyers defines, “ethics is the body of principles that decide what behaviors are right, good, and proper.” (Desnoyers). Such attitudes do not always state a single “moral” course of action, but facilitate measures to evaluate and decide among competing options. It is all about putting these principles into action. It is a matter of honesty to observe uniformity between what we say, we value, and what our deeds say we value. Ethics motivates a person to follow certain standards or codes of behavior desired by the society in which the individual is a part. Ethics in its wider sense can be national ethics, social ethics, company ethics, or professional ethics. On the other hand, morals promote a demanding set of duties that requires a person to overcome his natural desires, in way to follow his moral law. On comparing the differences between ethics and morals, we find that ethics is the guidelines, for choosing proper conduct, while morality is the parameters for behavior that exist at some point of time. The ethical principles undergo very little changes while on the other hand, morality endures more changes repeatedly. Morality can be depicted as a snapshot taken of an unstable object. However, since ethics has got more essential and established principles, it is bigger than morality in its function. An example of a criminal defense lawyer may be apt to understand the terms of moral and ethics in its practical sense. The lawyer’s personal moral code may consider the murder immoral and culpable. On the other hand, the ethics demands the lawyer to defend his client as strongly as possible, even when he is aware of the fact that the accused is guilty and freeing the defendant would eventually lead to more crimes. In such case, the legal ethics as well as his professional ethics must override personal morals in order to uphold the justice system where the accused is given a fair chance. In the same way, ethics and morals may clash at the workplace where the company ethics supersede personal morality. Corporate insatiability that often crosses its own ethical lines fastened with perverse demands on time may force employee to select from a traumatic, challenging, and unbearable work ethics considering his/her family responsibilities as moral commitment to next of kin. Ethical decision making is carried out by the logical and systematical application of one’s ethical principles and does not take place by random likelihood. An individual often feels lost at sea when facing with a situation where he needs to apply ethical principles. In a critical decision making condition, an individual can apply ethical principles by choosing a course of action. George Desnoyers brings out a set of clear rules that can be applied in advance to enhance an individual to lead an ethical life. They are; I will think before I act; will clarify and constantly review my goals. I will try to consider the consequences of my actins and omissions. I will monitor and review the results of my actions. I will be honest in all my business dealing. (Source: Desnoyers, n.d). Moral certainty can be referred to as a concept of instinctive probability, where a high degree of probability occurs that is adequate for the action but not sufficient for absolute certainty. Absolute moral certainty can be explained as the actions or behaviors that we are sure of, found out without the help mathematical calculations or logical deductions. Klein (1981) has put down that a belief become absolute moral certainty if it is subjectively and objectively immune to doubt; and it is a system, assuring certainty apart from physical sensations and there by trusting our senses (pp. 115-116). For instance, on our personal level of moral certainty we all are certain that our parents love us. Carl Ficarrota (2001, p. 3) writes that to be morally certain of something is not to be perfectly right, but one needs to be certain enough of it to act self-confidently in the belief that it exists. For an example, p is absolutely certain for S if p (1) is warranted for S and (2) S is warranted in denying every proposition, g, such that if g is added to S’s beliefs, the warrant for p is reduced (even though only a little) and (3) there is no true proposition, d, such that if d is added to S’s true beliefs the warrant for p is reduced (even though only a little) (Source: Klein, 1981, p. 63). Even if I happened to see on my friend’s desk information that would save our company from bankruptcy, I will not use the information to save our company and thereby causing her job loss. It cannot be justified with any ethical or moral principle to deceive her and destroy the trust and belief she has in me. My self-interests cannot be entertained to annihilate the moral principles I have created within myself. The decisions one makes in one’s career and the way one shapes in one’s working life will depend not only on one’s moral code but also on the understanding one has about oneself in certain roles and relationships. Self-interest has an influence on the moral principles of an individual. There are differences between doing something that is morally right and doing something that would satisfy one’s own interests. Some people argue that self-interest and moral action can never conflict, and even some philosophers have gone deeper into proving that. Personal self-interest may provoke an individual to do what he knows to be wrong. According to Shaw (2010, p. 25), a person’s morality, in the sense of his ideals, values, and aspirations, involves his understanding of human nature, traditions, relationships, and society. Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.) has argued that there is more to living a morally good life, of course, than being a good businessperson or being good at your job (Shaw, 2010, p. 25). Aristotle held the view that only when a person develops his own truly human capacities sufficiently in order to achieve the human excellence, one will have the life blessed with happiness. In some cases, a person may get away with his wrong doings without being caught; but his conscience is not going to leave him unbothered. To think otherwise not only is self-indulgence but also shows his lack of understanding of morality. References Desnoyers, G. (n.d). What is ethics?. Ethics and Morality. Retrieved from http://www.endusmilitarism.org/ethicsandmorality.html Ficarrotta, J. C. (2001). The Leader’s Imperative: Ethics, Integrity, and Responsibility. USA: Purdue University. Klein, P. D. (1981). Certainty: A Refutation of Scepticism. USA: University of Minnesota Press. Shaw, W. H. (2011). Business Ethics: A Textbook with Cases. USA: Wadsworth- Cengage Advantage Books. Read More