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Subject: Ethics vs. Morals (How do you rate our current leadership?)

Ethics and Morals relate to “right” and “wrong” conduct. While they are sometimes used interchangeably, they are different:

a. Ethics refer to rules provided by an external source, e.g., codes of conduct in workplaces or principles in religions.

b. Morals refer to an individual’s own principles regarding right and wrong.

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Ethics versus Morals comparison

Ethics & Morals

What are they?

a. Ethics: Are the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group or culture.

b. Morals: Are the principles or habits with respect to right or wrong conduct. While morals also prescribe do's and don'ts, morality is ultimately a personal compass of right and wrong.

Where do they come from? They are either one or the other;

a. Ethics are part of our Social system - External
b. Morals are Individual conceptions - Internal

Why we do it?

a. Ethics - Because society says it is the right thing to do.
b. Morals - Because we believe in something being right or wrong.

Flexibility:

a. Ethics - Are dependent on others for definition. They tend to be consistent within a certain context, but can vary between contexts.

b. Morals - Usually consistent, although can change if an individual’s beliefs change.

The "Gray" Areas:

a. Ethics - A person strictly following Ethical Principles may not have any Morals at all. Likewise, one could violate Ethical Principles within a given system of rules in order to maintain Moral integrity.

b. Moral - A Moral Person although perhaps bound by a higher covenant, may choose to follow a code of ethics as it would apply to a system. "Make it fit"

Origin:

a. Ethics - Greek word "ethos" meaning"character"

b. Greek word "ethos" meaning"character" Latin word "mos" meaning "custom"

Acceptability:

a. Ethics are governed by professional and legal guidelines within a particular time and place .

b. Morality transcends cultural norms

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Of these guideline how do you feel about our current leadership and its acting? What categories would you put them into. Then try to evaluate yourself using these principles.

It's a simple rule of which we all must try to understand when we are judging or deciding which to use when making decisions in our lives.

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