Morality
- Definition: A system of values and principles that guide individuals' conduct and determine what is considered right or wrong.
- Subjective: Based on personal beliefs, cultural norms, or religious teachings.
- Internal: Derived from within oneself, guided by conscience or intuition.
- Concrete: Focuses on specific actions and behaviors.
- Examples: Honesty, fairness, compassion, loyalty.
Ethics
- Definition: A branch of philosophy that deals with the systematization, defense, and recommendation of concepts of right and wrong conduct.
- Objective: Based on reason, logic, and systematic reasoning.
- External: Derived from outside sources, such as laws, social institutions, or professional codes.
- Abstract: Focuses on general principles and the underlying reasons for right or wrong actions.
- Examples: Utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, feminist ethics.
Key Differences:
- Source: Morality is subjective and internal, while ethics is objective and external.
- Nature: Morality focuses on concrete actions, while ethics focuses on general principles.
- Authority: Morality is derived from personal beliefs and values, while ethics is derived from philosophical theories and societal norms.
- Influence: Morality shapes individual behavior, while ethics guides societal values and institutions.
- Scope: Morality applies to personal conduct, while ethics applies to both personal and social behavior.
Relationship:
While morality and ethics are distinct concepts, they are closely related. Morality informs ethical theories, and ethical principles can guide moral decision-making. However, they can also be in conflict, as individual moral beliefs may differ from societal ethical norms.