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Morals vs. Ethics

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Morals vs. Ethics
31 October 2013
Morals vs. Ethics
Researched-based Informative Essay
English 12
Mr. Barry Rich

Do you have any morals? Do you know about ethics? Well, the definition of morals would be the principles or habits with respect to right or wrong conduct; it defines how things should work according to individuals’ ideals and principles. To give you a more “dumbed-down” definition, morals mean to learn a lesson, especially one concerning what is right or practical. It can be consequential from a story, a piece of information, or an experience. Or you can plainly say it is either a “no-no” or a “good job” thing in your life.
However, the definition of ethics is the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc. It defines how things are according to society’s norms. Again, to give a more “dumbed-down” definition, ethics are rules of behavior based on ideas about what is morally good and bad. Yet again, you can just plainly say ethics is the moral principles that oversee a person’s or group’s behavior.
You may be asking to yourself “How are these terms similar?” Well, you see, I have an answer for you. Both of the terms are influenced by cultural or societal situations. Now there are a few things that make these terms completely different. If we don’t have ethics we may face peer or societal disapproval, or even be fired from your job. We live by our ethics because society says it is the right thing to do. If you haven’t noticed by now, society forms ethics.
Now, morals are much different than ethics in a number of ways. Morals are usually consistent, 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.” If we don’t have morals you are doing something against one’s morals and principles can have different effects on different people. They may feel uncomfortable, remorse, depressed etc.

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