Ethics and morality

What is ethics?

Ethics can be defined as the systematic way of thinking that provides a coherent set of values
and principles to guide people’s moral lives (McQueen 2009:11)

Ethics is defined as the basic concepts and fundamental principles of decent human conduct.

It includes the study of universal values such as the essential equality of all men and women,
human or natural rights, obedience to the law of land, concern for health and safety and,
increasingly also for the natural environment.

What is morality?

• Morality is defined as the differentiation of intentions, decisions, and actions between

those that are distinguished as proper and those that are improper: In other words, it is
the disjunction between right and wrong.[1]

• Morality can be a body of standards or principles derived from a code of

conduct from a particular philosophy, religion, or culture, or it can derive from a
standard that a person believes should be universal.[2]

• Morality may also be specifically synonymous with "goodness" or "rightness."

• Ethics and morals relate to “right” and “wrong” conduct. While they are sometimes
used interchangeably, they are different: ethics refer to rules provided by an external
source, e.g., codes of conduct in workplaces or principles in religions. Morals refer to
an individual’s own principles regarding right and wrong
 Ethics Morals

Principles or habits with respect to right or wrong conduct.

The rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular
What are they? While morals also prescribe dos and don'ts, morality is
class of human actions or a particular group or culture.
ultimately a personal compass of right and wrong.

Where do they come from? Social system - External Individual - Internal

Why we do it? Because society says it is the right thing to do. Because we believe in something being right or wrong.

Ethics are dependent on others for definition. They tend to

Usually consistent, although can change if an individual’s
Flexibility be consistent within a certain context, but can vary between
beliefs change.
contexts.

A person strictly following Ethical Principles may not have

A Moral Person although perhaps bound by a higher
any Morals at all. Likewise, one could violate Ethical
The "Gray" covenant, may choose to follow a code of ethics as it would
Principles within a given system of rules in order to maintain
apply to a system. "Make it fit"
Moral integrity.

Origin Greek word "ethos" meaning"character" Latin word "mos" meaning "custom"

Source of Principles

• Ethics are external standards that are provided by institutions, groups, or culture to
which an individual belongs. For example, engineers, lawyers, policemen, and doctors
all have to follow an ethical code laid down by their profession, regardless of their
own feelings or preferences. Ethics can also be considered a social system or a
framework for acceptable behavior.

• Morals are also influenced by culture or society, but they are personal principles
created and upheld by individuals themselves.

Consistency and Flexibility

 • Ethics are very consistent within a certain context, but can vary greatly between
contexts. For example, the ethics of the medical profession in the 21st century are
generally consistent and do not change from hospital to hospital, but they are different
from the ethics of the 21st century legal profession.

• An individual’s moral code is usually unchanging and consistent across all contexts,
but it is also possible for certain events to radically change an individual's personal
beliefs and values.

Consistency and Flexibility

• Ethics are very consistent within a certain context, but can vary greatly between
contexts. For example, the ethics of the medical profession in the 21st century are
generally consistent and do not change from hospital to hospital, but they are different
from the ethics of the 21st century legal profession.

• An individual’s moral code is usually unchanging and consistent across all contexts,
but it is also possible for certain events to radically change an individual's personal
beliefs and values.

Conflict Between Ethics and Morals

One professional example of ethics conflicting with morals is the work of a defense attorney.
A lawyer’s morals may tell her that murder is reprehensible and that murderers should be
punished, but her ethics as a professional lawyer, require her to defend her client to the best
of her abilities, even if she knows that the client is guilty.

Another example can be found in the medical field. In most parts of the world, a doctor may
not euthanize a patient, even at the patient's request, as per ethical standards for health
professionals. However, the same doctor may personally believe in a patient's right to die, as
per the doctor's own morality

Task: In what situations would you find the work ethics of your profession conflicting with
your moral standards?

Why ethical codes are needed in professions

Ethical codes are useful documents because they offer members of the professional
association a model of behavior that is expected of them (McMenemy, Poulter and Burton
,2007:28)

What this means is that, ethical codes guide professionals on what they are expected to do at
the workplace which may be in line or outside their moral values.

Where the professional’s moral values conflict with the work ethics, a professional should
stick to the work ethics.

According to Koehler and Pemberton (2000:29), “Ethical codes establish parameters of

acceptable behavior…They offer the practitioner a frame of reference to direct professional
behavior.”

In addition to establishing parameters of acceptable behavior, ethical codes also offer support
and guidance for professionals where conflicts arise between the interests and demands of the
profession and society as a whole.

Ethical codes also communicate a set of values to the wider world including employers and
other stakeholders.