Unsurprisingly, attitudes about ethical behavior vary between older and younger generations. While most people agree there should be general niceties such as being polite and courteous, even those simple values have been diluted by many. C.S Lewis called this the Law of Nature or instinctively knowing right from wrong.
He wrote: “I know that some people say the idea of the law of nature or decent behavior known to all [humans] is unsound because different civilizations and different ages have had quite different moralities.” He argued, “This is not true. There have been differences between their moralities, but these have never amounted to anything like a total difference.” In this case, Lewis equates morality with ethical behavior.
Indeed, both relate to a person’s conduct — right and wrong. They are often used interchangeably, but they are different. Ethical behavior is based on social rules, whereas morality refers to an individual’s principles; they are the ultimate personal compass of right and wrong.
Diffen states, “Ethics are governed by professional and legal guidelines within a particular time and place.” Conversely, “Morality transcends cultural norms.”
Despite the descriptions, the two have overlapping qualities, flexibility, and gray areas. Ethical behavior is “dependent on others for definition. They tend to be consistent within a certain context but can vary between contexts.”
On the other hand, morals are “usually consistent, although [they] can change if an individual’s beliefs change.”
Additionally, Diffen explains: “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 to maintain moral integrity.” And “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.” In other words, they “make it fit.” Ultimately, the distinction between ethics and morals is likened to a line drawn in the sand.
This overlap is easily seen in specific professional fields; ethics are consistent within certain circumstances but can vary between contexts, creating conflicts. For example, a defense attorney who believes it is morally wrong to murder someone and murderers should be prosecuted. Yet, as a professional lawyer, she is ethically required to defend the client to the best of their ability, even if the attorney knows the client is guilty.
Unpredictable Ethical System Shifts
With its illusion of anonymity, texting, emailing, and posting on social media increase this disconnect. Furthermore, the politically-based culture wars, the pandemic shutdowns, the Supreme Court’s reversal of fundamental human rights, and fear-mongering create a volatile environment. The following examples explore the unpredictability of ethical system shifts.
First is the result of the dilemma created by the Supreme Court when it overturned Roe v. Wade. In the past 13 months, many states passed extreme anti-abortion laws.
Doctors in those states could not immediately help a woman with fetal complications until her life was threatened. Doing so violates every medical professional’s ethical rules to do no harm and may also differ from their personal moral values.
Political tribalism is another example of an ethical system shift. There has always been a sharp divide between conservative and liberal ideology. Since the TEA Party infiltrated the GOP, the chasm has grown, which made way for the most corrupt president in U.S. history to commit impeachable offenses (twice in four years).
Since leaving the White House, Former President Donald Trump has been indicted twice, with more lawsuits on the horizon, and so much more. Nonetheless, his support remains strong, and despite his unethical activities, prominent Republicans vow to vote party first — tribalism. He can count on their support if he is the 2024 GOP presidential candidate.
It is impossible to predict future ethical behavior, but when people’s values change, it might be time to determine with whom their newly formed process is aligned.
Written by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
My Own Business Institute: Ethics in Life and Business
UNESCO: Artificial Intelligence: examples of ethical dilemmas
Santa Clara University: What is Ethics? By Manuel Velasquez, Clarie Andre, Thomas Shanks, S.J., and Michael J. Meyer
Diffen: Ethics vs. Morals
Harper One: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis (1952 and 1980) [C.S. Lewis quotes used in this article were modified using American English spelling.]
Featured and Top Image by Dave Courtesy of Unsplash
First Inset Image by Cytonn Photography Courtesy of Unsplash
Second Inset Image by Gayatri Malhotra Courtesy of Unsplash
