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    Capstone 86

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    ela kikay
    The document discusses the differences between the terms "ethics" and "morality". While ethics refers to standards of how one should act, morality relates more to how one actually behaves. Historically, the terms meant the same thing as translations of each other in Greek and Latin. However, the meanings have evolved over time. When communicating to a large audience, it is best to minimize using the terms and instead directly refer to concepts like doing right and having high character to avoid potential disagreements over definitions.

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    Capstone 86

    Uploaded by

    ela kikay
    23 views1 page
    The document discusses the differences between the terms "ethics" and "morality". While ethics refers to standards of how one should act, morality relates more to how one actually behaves. Historically, the terms meant the same thing as translations of each other in Greek and Latin. However, the meanings have evolved over time. When communicating to a large audience, it is best to minimize using the terms and instead directly refer to concepts like doing right and having high character to avoid potential disagreements over definitions.

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    capstone 86

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    The document discusses the differences between the terms "ethics" and "morality". While ethics refers to standards of how one should act, morality relates more to how one actually behaves. Historically, the terms meant the same thing as translations of each other in Greek and Latin. However, the meanings have evolved over time. When communicating to a large audience, it is best to minimize using the terms and instead directly refer to concepts like doing right and having high character to avoid potential disagreements over definitions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    23 views1 page

    Capstone 86

    Uploaded by

    ela kikay
    The document discusses the differences between the terms "ethics" and "morality". While ethics refers to standards of how one should act, morality relates more to how one actually behaves. Historically, the terms meant the same thing as translations of each other in Greek and Latin. However, the meanings have evolved over time. When communicating to a large audience, it is best to minimize using the terms and instead directly refer to concepts like doing right and having high character to avoid potential disagreements over definitions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 1

    I think of morality as being personal -- what MY principles and boundaries are.

    Ethics are more of a


    standard -- rules or policies of how one should act.

    Ethics contains standards of what should be. What we "ought" to do. Morality is more of what we do -
    how we actually behave - focused on what "is".

    “Ethics” comes from the ancient Greek word “ethikos,”derived from "ethos," which means custom or
    habit. The Roman politician, lawyer and bon vivant Cicero coined the term “moralis” as a Latin
    equivalent of “ethikos.” Historically, then, the roots of the words “ethics” and “morality” meant the
    same thing. One was a translation of the other.

    Asking an ancient Roman, “What’s the difference between ‘ethics’ and ‘morality’?” would be like asking
    a bilingual friend today, “What’s the difference between ‘caliente’ and ‘hot’ or ‘chapeau’ and ‘hat’?”

    Still, the meaning of words and phrases can and does change, so the fact that "ethics" and "morality"
    used to refer to the same idea doesn't necessarily mean that it's wise to use them this way today.

    The conversation will then veer from whatever substantive ethical point you were trying to make (“Our
    company has an ethical and moral responsibility to hire and promote only honest, accountable people”)
    to an argument about the meaning of the words “ethical” and “moral.” I had plenty of those arguments
    as a graduate student in philosophy, but is that the kind of discussion you really want to have at
    a team meeting or business conference?

    You can do one of three things, then:

    1. Use “ethics” and “morality” interchangeably only when you’re speaking with people who believe
    they’re synonymous.

    2. Choose one term and stick with it.

    3. Minimize the use of both words and instead refer to what each word is broadly about: doing the right
    thing, leading an honorable life and acting with high character.

    As a professional ethicist, I’ve come to see #3 as the best option. That way, I don’t have to guess
    whether the person I’m speaking with believes ethics and morality are identical concepts, which is futile
    when you’re speaking to an audience of 5,000 people.

    By minimizing the use of the word “ethics,” I also sidestep a big problem: this word often strikes fear
    into the heart of the listener, because it’s usually linked with the word “violation.” Although I call myself
    The Ethics Guy, I avoid using "ethics" in the titles of my speeches, because I've learned that the word is
    more off-putting than engaging for many people.

    There’s a time and a place to argue about words, but if your goal in talking about ethics is to make a
    point about why you think someone at your company did the right thing or who the high-character
    leaders at your organization are, it makes sense to use one of the two words consistently and judiciously
    or just say what you want to say and leave “ethics” and “morality” out of it altogether.

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