Ethics and morality are matters of our daily actions. Both define to a great extent the decisions and actions that we carry out every day in different circumstances. However, they are different things and here we explain why.
Although the definitions of ethics and morality are interpreted in different ways by various disciplines, since they are subjects of deep study, it is possible to start from general and universal concepts to explain the differences between ethics and morality.
Learn the differences between ethics and morals
Ethics and morality have very similar meanings, which is why they are often used interchangeably. In this text we are going to explain the differences between one and the other These two issues are part of human nature, so it is important to understand the concepts.
Through the differences between ethics and morals, we can come to an understanding of what they are and the impact they have on our lives. These are topics typical of philosophy that have spread to all areas of study and work.
one. Etymological origin
Morals and ethics are philosophical concepts that have been studied for thousands of years. Both words have an etymological origin that help us understand each concept. Because the two deal with similar issues and concern human behavior, they are confused.
The word "Ethics" comes from the Latin "ethicus" which is a word derived from the Greek word "ethos", which refers to the way or action that one has to do things, or to custom. This etymological origin gives us a clear notion of the concept of “ethics”.
On the other hand, "moral" comes from the Latin "moralis" which means "referring to customs", making a reference more towards the social or community sense than the staff. In this way, morality has a different field of study than ethics.
As can be discerned from the etymological origin of both words, ethics and morals have a similar field of study but are not the same. However, they are issues that have to do with the actions and motives of the human being.
2. Definition
The very definition of ethics and morals provide us with clarity on their clear differences. Currently both concepts are used to refer to almost the same thing On a daily basis they are used interchangeably to talk about the correct behavior of people.
But ethics and morals don't mean the same thing. Morals are the rules of conduct inherent in a system. Whether social, political or family and that are established as a way to maintain the stability of the system itself.
On the other hand, ethics studies and reflects on moral issues. In other words, once the norms that govern a group exist, ethics questions and discerns about its legitimacy to apply them or not in a particular way.
That is, morality works in a collective sense, while ethics is a more introspective and individual matter. However, both end up defining the behavior of an individual in a determined group.
3. Historical origin
Ethics and morality can also be understood through their historical origin. Ethics originated in ancient Greece. The first records of the study of this discipline are in charge of Aristotle and Plato.
Several centuries later, Kant and Descartes returned to the concepts of the ancient philosophers and laid the foundations for what is now defined as ethics .On the other hand, morality does not have a specific historical origin, since it is something inherent to the organization of human groups.
Once the human being settled in groups, the need arose to establish rules that will guarantee the progress and harmony of the clan. With the advent of writing, these moral principles became laws.
Throughout the centuries and the history of humanity, religions were responsible for permeating moral rules in society. While in the West Christianity and Judaism played a fundamental role, in the East it was Buddhism.
4. Temporality
Ethics is permanent, while morality is temporary. This differentiation between both concepts can help to understand why they are two different things but have to do with each other.
Morals have changed throughout history. Those rules of conduct that governed centuries past, today may be obsolete. While the conception of what is sacred, what is correct and what is beneficial has changed, the norms and therefore morality have also changed.
For this reason, it is said that morality is temporary, because it works in a specific period of time. You cannot define and study current human behavior based on the morality of earlier times.
On the other hand, ethics is permanent. This is due to the fact that ethics is an individual reflection that is generated in the individual and that despite being influenced by the morality of his time, it is inherent to him and therefore, remains during his existence.
5. Relationship to individual
The fundamental difference between ethics and morality is their relationship with the human beingBoth deal with behaviors and the reasons for acting correctly or not depending on what the group or individual dictates, but the origin differentiates what is ethical from what is moral.
When dealing with the morality of the rules and foundations that guide the behavior of a group, we are talking about the fact that the individuals that belong to that group are expected to respect them in order to preserve the very existence of the group .
However, it may happen that these moral rules conflict with the ethics of an individual, who in his own reflection and questioning of the moral, decide not to act in a moral way, that is, not to respond to what the group proposes as expected behavior.
An example of this can be the moral principles that are expected from all those who dedicate themselves to medicine or law, where it happens that these can be opposed to the ethics of those who practice it.