Posted by Andrea Carrasco on April 07, 2002 at 10:36:44:
In Reply to: Ethics in The Class Room posted by Dr. T. Samples on April 01, 2002 at 10:14:10:
: Is their a distinction between ethics and morals?
The two words are often used interchangeably. In fact, many dictionaries define them as synonyms. Both words are used to describe actions or people that are perceived as good, right, or virtuous. Perhaps, the distinction occurs because of the ways that the words are used. Ethical behavior is most often used to describe the conduct of doctors, lawyers, teachers, and so on. Moral behavior is often associated with religion and religious training or development. "Ethics" is also a field of study of conduct, moral character, moral philosophy, etc. Ethics and morals are both culturally variable, although there are a few almost universally accepted such as "no murder." I believe that "ethics" is a system or code that when adhered to produces moral behavior. In other words, ethics form the foundation-the principles or laws-that define morals or moral behavior and help people make decisions that will be accepted by all those who follow a similar code of ethics. (I apologize if this is the second response. Right after I clicked "submit" the first time, I was bumped off-line.)