Etymology (Origin of the Word)
The word “Ethics” comes from the Greek word “Ethos”.
“Ethos” means action, customs, habits, way of being, or character.
So, ethics is originally about how people behave and what kind of character they
show in their actions.
2. Definition
Ethics is the science or art that studies what is fair, proper, and right behaviour for
a person living in society.
It helps us understand how we should act to live a good and moral life.
3. Key Points
Ethics is the science of good:
It focuses on what is good, what is right, and what leads to human well-being.
It discusses the ultimate good of man:
Ethics tries to find out the final goal of human life — what makes life truly valuable
and meaningful.
It judges good and bad:
It helps us decide between right and wrong actions, so we can make good moral
choices.
It defines our duties:
Ethics teaches us what we should do (our responsibilities) and what we should
avoid (our wrong actions).
It is based on freedom of will:
Ethics assumes that humans have free will — the ability to choose their actions.
It emphasizes human responsibility:
Because we have freedom, we are responsible for our actions and must face their
moral consequences.
1. Aims to discover WHY something is right or wrong
Ethics helps us understand why an action is right or wrong.
It explains the reason behind good and bad actions.
Example:
o Lying → wrong because it hurts people and breaks trust
o Helping others → right because it makes people happy and
improves life
Ethics teaches us to think carefully before acting.
2. Describes your values
Ethics shows your values, the things that are important to you
and guide your behavior.
Values tell us how we should act in daily life.
Examples:
o Honesty – always telling the truth
o Kindness – helping others
o Respect – treating everyone politely
o Fairness – being just and equal
o Responsibility – doing your duties
Ethics helps us follow these values and become good, moral
people.
3. The study of morality
Ethics is the study of right and wrong behavior.
Morality means rules about good and bad actions.
Ethics teaches us how to act correctly and make fair choices.
Following ethics helps people live well and make society fair
and peaceful.
Components of Code of Ethics
1. Honesty
Always tell the truth in words and actions.
Avoid lying, cheating, or misleading others.
Being honest builds trust and creates reliability in relationships.
Example: Returning lost money instead of keeping it shows honesty.
2. Integrity
Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
Stay true to your moral principles consistently.
Integrity ensures people respect and trust you.
Example: Refusing to copy someone else’s work even if it’s easy shows integrity.
3. Transparency
Be open and clear about your actions and decisions.
Share information honestly so others can understand your intentions.
Transparency prevents confusion and misunderstandings.
Example: Explaining why you made a decision at work or school.
4. Accountability
Take responsibility for your actions and their results.
Admit mistakes and work to correct them.
Accountability shows you are trustworthy and reliable.
Example: Owning up to breaking something by accident instead of blaming others.
5. Confidentiality
Keep private information safe and do not share it without permission.
Respect sensitive information in personal, professional, or organizational contexts.
Confidentiality protects trust and privacy.
Example: Not sharing a friend’s secret with others.
6. Objectivity
Make decisions fairly and without personal bias.
Base your choices on facts and evidence, not emotions or favoritism.
Objectivity ensures fair treatment for everyone.
Example: Grading or judging someone fairly without favoritism.
7. Respectfulness
Treat everyone with dignity, politeness, and fairness.
Value different opinions, beliefs, and cultures.
Respectfulness creates harmony and good relationships.
Example: Listening to others’ opinions even if you disagree.
8. Obedience to the law
Follow rules, regulations, and laws.
Avoid illegal or unethical actions.
Obeying the law ensures safety, fairness, and order in society.
Example: Following traffic rules or workplace regulations.
Morality
Morality is about knowing what is right and wrong. The word “moral”
means doing what is good and proper. Morality comes from the Latin
word “Mores”, which means manner, character, or proper
behaviour. It helps us understand the difference between good and
bad actions, decisions, and intentions. Morality guides people to act
correctly, be responsible, and live in a fair and ethical way.
Morality is a word that shows what is right and wrong according to a
society, religion, or an individual. It gives people rules for living so
they can behave properly and make good choices. These rules help
maintain order, fairness, and harmony in life. For example, religious
guidelines like The Ten Commandments teach people what actions are
good and what actions are wrong, helping them live a responsible, fair,
and ethical life.
Morality is about knowing what is right and wrong. It shows what is good, virtuous, or
proper to do. Morality gives rules for living that guide people to act properly and make
good decisions. These rules can come from society, religion, or personal beliefs. It also
means codes of conduct that would be accepted by all reasonable people, which are fair and
good for everyone. In short, morality helps people distinguish right from wrong, act
responsibly, and live in a fair and ethical way.
Morals, Ethics: What’s the Difference?
Morals and ethics are related but different. Morals are a set of standards for personal
behavior — they guide how an individual decides what is right or wrong in their life. Ethics
are a set of standards for professional or formal behavior, guiding how people should act in
work, school, or other formal situations. Both morals and ethics are voluntary, meaning
people choose to follow them.
A helpful way to understand this is the House Analogy. Ethics is like the foundation of a
house — it supports all your decisions and explains why you act or don’t act in certain
ways. Morality is like the structure of the house — the rules you follow for yourself or the
rules that society makes. These rules are built on the foundation of ethics, helping people
make good, fair, and responsible decisions in life
Morality can be compared to playing music or creating art. It is the
practical part of life, where you act according to what feels right and
good. Ethics, on the other hand, is like knowing musical theory or
learning art history and composition. It provides the rules,
principles, and knowledge behind why certain actions are right or
wrong. In simple words, morality is doing the action, while ethics is
understanding the reason behind the action. Together, they help
people act correctly and make thoughtful, responsible decisions.