Morals vs. Ethics

bluedragon

"Morals are a blanket solution to spontaneous situations. Ethics are spontaneous solutions to spontaneous situations." ~Ian Xel Lungold

I see ethics as those values that are inherent in all human beings. What do you think?

crdowner

Interesting quote. I think morals and ethics both depend on the culture in which a person is raised. I also think some groups are using morals/ethics as a defense for their actions. Conservatives push morals down your throut to stop gay marriage, etc.

My thoughts are obviously disjointed on this but I believe that ethics have a more common or shared "base". Morals on the other hand are tied more to religious beliefs.

z054301

Morals and ethics, that which defines how make decisions in how we interact with our environment. That which defines how, forgive this expression, 'good' or 'evil' our actions.
Now that has to be taken into account, what is 'good' and 'evil'. Two extremities of the same scale. Though I do not believe generalations ever bring justice to the topic, extremities either way are of little benefit. A balance is required, and such a balance is tenious at best when at the extremities. But back to the topic at hand. I guess the identification of 'good' or 'evil' comes down to impact they have on their environment.
'Good' would have a positive effect, while 'evil' would have a negative effect. So where do morals and ethics come into this? They define what actions we believe are acceptable to achieve what we would percieve as a positive effect.
You have to keep in mind that their are few people, or beings, that would actually percieve themselves as 'evil'. With out some sort of justification for out actions, before or after, how many people would be able to do the things they do. If a justification is made, then the person would have deemed to action to have a positive effect, thus they would not consider themselves to be 'evil'. There is always an exception to the rule though Smile

Well I think i covered everything I intended to

crdowner

I think I understand what you are saying. I definitely agree that few people consider themselves to be evil. But consider decisions that many people struggle with everyday. Do I lie so I do not get in trouble? The clerk gave me more money than I was supposed to get? They did not charge me for that item, do I say anything?

Most people can "think" their way through these scenarios and dismiss their actions - good or evil to use your tems, and not think anything of it. My morals tell me not to lie, to give the extra money back, and to point out that I was not charged for an item. This is not to say that I have never told a lie, etc. but my morals and my ethics have always told me what the "right" decision was. It is logic that sometimes overrules morals and ethics. For example, a little white lie is not goig to hurt anyone. Or, the clerk only gave me 10 cent too much. No one will miss it. Or, the store overcharged me last week and I did not say anything. It all balances out in the end.

Does any of this make it "right"? In the purest sense of right and wrong, I do not think so.