Ethics and morals differ in that morals define personal character while ethics emphasize a social system in which those morals are applied. Ethics can depend on the group to which one belongs, and can conflict with personal morals in areas such as criminal law, the workplace, and societal issues like abortion and homosexuality. Understanding the difference between ethics and morals is important for finding peaceful and productive solutions to current challenges.
The difference between ethics and morals may seem somewhat arbitrary to many, but there is a fundamental, if subtle, difference. Morals define personal character, while ethics emphasizes a social system in which those morals are applied. In other words, ethics point to standards or codes of behavior expected of the group to which the individual belongs. This could be national ethics, social ethics, business ethics, professional ethics, or even family ethics. So while a person’s moral code is usually immutable, the ethics they practice may depend on the other.
When considering the difference between ethics and morals, it may be helpful to consider a criminal lawyer. Although the lawyer’s personal moral code likely finds murder immoral and reprehensible, ethics require that the accused client be defended as vigorously as possible, even when the lawyer knows that the party is guilty and that a freed defendant could potentially lead to more crimes. Legal ethics must trump personal morals for the greater good of sustaining a justice system in which the accused are granted a fair trial and the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The prosecution and the court must also deal with the difference between ethics and morals. In some cases the defendant’s past actions might resonate with the current charge, but they are kept off evidence so as not to prejudge the jury. In a sense, the prosecutor “lies by omission” in representing the case, never revealing the prejudicial evidence. The same prosecutor, however, would likely find it reprehensible not to tell a friend if her date had a potentially dangerous or suspicious history.
Another area where ethics and morals can collide is in the workplace, where corporate ethics can play against personal morals. Corporate greed that blurs one’s ethical lines coupled with unreasonable demands on time can lead to having to choose between a stressful, demanding and consuming work ethic and family obligations seen as moral obligations to a spouse and children. Conversely, people lose their jobs every day due to low personal morals, employee theft is a common reason for dismissal.
In society, we are all faced with the butting heads of ethics and morals. Abortion is legal and therefore medically ethical, while many people personally find it immoral. Fundamentalists, extremists, and even mainstream theists all have different ideas about morality that impact each of our lives, even if indirectly through social pressures or legal discrimination.
In the case of homosexuality, many believe it is morally wrong, but some of the same people also believe that it is unethical to legally discriminate against a group of people by denying them the same rights afforded to heterosexuals. This is a clear example of ethics and morale in battle. Ethics and morals are central issues as the world strives to overcome current challenges and international crossroads. It is hoped that growing understanding will lead to peaceful and productive solutions in the coming years.
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