MORAL ETHICS

MORAL ETHICS

According to the Oxford Dictionary, the word ethics means a system of moral principles, rules, and conduct. The word ethics originated from Latin ‘Ethicus or in Greek Ethicos’. These two words are derived from ‘Ethos’ meaning character or ideal standards of human behavior.

Distinct from behavior, character is an inherent quality or trait of a community that distinguishes them from another community. Ethics consists of standards of behavior acceptable to the society; it makes moral judgments of human conducts. It examines the questions of what actions are morally right, or wrong, good or bad, fair and proper. Ethics are the determined attempts to guide one’s conduct towards being good, honest, righteous, decent or ethical.

Some people have defined ethics in terms of what they feel. But, being ethical is clearly not a matter of following one’s feelings. Basing ethics on one’s feelings may result in one withdrawing from doing what is right, fair and proper. Many have likened ethics to a religion. Most religions, of course, advocate high ethical standards and can provide intense motivations for ethical behavior. Yet if ethics were confined to religion, then ethics would apply only to religious people. It however, cannot be restricted to religion nor is it the same as religion. But it applies as much to the behavior of the atheist as well as to that of the saint.

ETHICS AND VALUES

Ethics is much more than just a collection of values. In sociology, value theory is concerned with personal values, which are generally accepted by a community, and how these values might change at certain times and conditions. Values are abstract ideas about what people believe to be good, right, and desirable, like just, peace or goodwill. Consequently, different group of people embrace different kinds of values influencing social behavior. Values are general beliefs held by people from childhood especially from people who have influenced ones life.

We generally make value judgements on many matters like good and bad, skilled and unskilled, etc. Values contain a judgmental element which carry an individual’s ideas as to what is right, good or desirable. They provide answers to ethical questions; while ethics defines what is right or wrong. In discussing the concept of value, the following terms are usually commonly misused: norms, beliefs, ethos, moral and moral norms. Others are morality, moral values and moral behavior.

NORMS:
Are expectations of proper behavior in a society. These are not requirement or must. For e.g In African tradition we treat elders with respect.

BELIEFS:
Are abstract thinking process, and ethical codes of thought.

ETHOS:
Is a characteristics of a community or of a culture. They are code of values by which a group or a society lives.

MORAL NORMS:
Expectations of the society and level of morals in the society. For e.g ; do not harm an innocent man, do not cheat your fellow man in any transaction etc.

TYPES OF VALUES

• Integrity:
This is the ability of sticking to your moral principles at all times.

• Co-operation:
This is the act of doing things together. It is valuable and relevant at all levels of the society.

• Honesty:
This is the act of being truthful and straight-forward in your dealings with the society.

• Selflessness: This is the ability of showing more interest in the welfare of other people related or not.

In conclusion, ethics and values are so important in the society we live in, and in our day to day activities with people. Let our values speak for us and differentiate us from other individuals.

ALL IMAGES CREDITED TO GOOGLE SEARCH.

#untalented
#steemgigs
#genesisproject
#minnowsupport