At its simplest, ethics is a system of moral principles. They affect how people make decisions and lead their lives. Ethics is concerned with what is good for individuals and society and is also described as moral philosophy. The term is derived from the Greek wordethoswhich can mean custom, habit, character or disposition.
Ethics covers the following dilemmas:
- how to live a good life
- our rights and responsibilities
- the language of right and wrong
- moral decisions - what is good and bad?
Our concepts of ethics have been derived from religions, philosophies and cultures. They infuse debates on topics like abortion, human rights and professional conduct.
If ethical theories are to be useful in practice, they need to affect the way human beings behave. Some philosophers think that ethics does do this. They argue that if a person realises that it would be morally good to do something then it would be irrational for that person not to do it. But human beings often behave irrationally - they follow their 'gut instinct' even when their head suggests a different course of action. However, ethics does provide good tools for thinking about moral issues.
Ethics can provide a moral map
Most moral issues get us pretty worked up - think of abortion and euthanasia for starters. Because these are such emotional issues we often let our hearts do the arguing while our brains just go with the flow. But there's another way of tackling these issues, and that's where philosophers can come in - they offer us ethical rules and principles that enable us to take a cooler view of moral problems. So ethics provides us with a moral map, a framework that we can use to find our way through difficult issues.
Ethics can pinpoint a disagreement
Using the framework of ethics, two people who are arguing a moral issue can often find that what they disagree about is just one particular part of the issue, and that they broadly agree on everything else. That can take a lot of heat out of the argument, and sometimes even hint at a way for them to resolve their problem. But sometimes ethics doesn't provide people with the sort of help that they really want.
Ethics doesn't give right answers
Ethics doesn't always show the right answer to moral problems. Indeed more and more people think that for many ethical issues there isn't a single right answer - just a set of principles that can be applied to particular cases to give those involved some clear choices. Some philosophers go further and say that all ethics can do is eliminate confusion and clarify the issues. After that it's up to each individual to come to their own conclusions.
Ethics can give several answers
Many people want there to be a single right answer to ethical questions. They find moral ambiguity hard to live with because they genuinely want to do the 'right' thing, and even if they can't work out what that right thing is, they like the idea that 'somewhere' there is one right answer. But often there isn't one right answer - there may be several right answers, or just some least worst answers - and the individual must choose between them. For others moral ambiguity is difficult because it forces them to take responsibility for their own choices and actions, rather than falling back on convenient rules and customs.
We will all make mistakes in our life. Just makes sure we learn from them and don't repeat it twice. Ethics give us the freedom of choice, but always think, is it the right choice. So my answer would have to be NO. Ethics do not control us. They guide and define us. They make sure we choose the right choice which may not always be the easiest.
FAQs
Ethics can give several answers
But often there isn't one right answer - there may be several right answers, or just some least worst answers - and the individual must choose between them.
How can ethics be really defined? ›
Ethics examines the rational justification for our moral judgments; it studies what is morally right or wrong, just or unjust. In a broader sense, ethics reflects on human beings and their interaction with nature and with other humans, on freedom, on responsibility and on justice.
What is ethics in answer? ›
Ethics is based on well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues.
Is code of ethics enough? ›
In fact, a meta-analysis found that the existence of an ethical code of conduct in some cases may be linked to more unethical decisions. We know less about why these policies have limited effect, but it could be because many organisations introduce policies without employees knowing about it.
Does ethics mean right or wrong? ›
Ethics are the standard of what is right and wrong, and they are based on our values. Being ethical requires making a moral judgment, and that's not always easy.
Do ethics deal with problems that have clear right and wrong answers? ›
Ans . True Ethics deal with problems that have clear right and wrong answers.
Why is ethics difficult to define? ›
Ethics, while not completely objective, is far more complicated because so much depends upon the context in which the event takes place and the people who make the assessment.
Why is ethics so important in it? ›
Ethics in IT helps to ensure that these challenges are taken seriously and dealt with constantly to help ensure protection and reliability. This involves various aspects of information, such as the way it is created, organized, removed, and allowed access to.
Why is there no definition of ethics? ›
There are no “laws” such as those that govern physics, that must be obeyed at all times. Thus, there is no absolute definition of ethics, because there are no acts that are necessarily ethical in all situations.
What is an example of ethics in everyday life? ›
9 Ethical Behavior & Moral Values in Everyday Life
| Acceptance | Favorable reception or belief in something |
|---|
| Promise-keeping | Keeping your word that that you will certainly do something |
| Prudence | Doing something right because it is the right thing to do |
| Punctuality | Adherence to the exact time of a commitment or event |
124 more rowsEthics are defined as a system that determines what is right or wrong. This system has been built to ensure the well-being of individuals and society as a whole. A person possessing high ethical values is the one who conforms to the ethical norms set by the society without questioning them.
Which is an example of an ethical decision? ›
Ethical Decision examples: Real-world examples of ethical decision making can range from managing environmental impacts in a manufacturing company, to addressing matters of confidentiality within human resource management, each requiring careful assessment and responsible actions.
At which level ethics is important? ›
Ethics is important in business to keep a proper flow of communication between management and employees. Hence, ethics is important for top management, middle-level managers and non-managerial employees.
Is ethics more than the law? ›
Ethics do not have punishments, fines or associated penalties when people fail to abide by. Both Law and Ethics set standards of expected societal actions, but laws enforce actions while ethics set forth social guidelines. A relationship exists between law and ethics.
How do you pass an ethics exam? ›
Here are some additional tips:
- Take notes so the concepts can sink in (at least long enough for you to take the test).
- Focus on the broad applicability of ethics principles and the AICPA Code of Conduct. ...
- When working on the multiple-choice questions, carefully read each question — they can be tricky.
You should focus more on a logical writing style rather than a deeply twisted philosophical one. The Examiner is looking for your arguments, not philosophies. And most importantly, do NOT 'force' morality in your answers. It is hard to do and looks artificial too.
