So I must know...what, in the final analysis, IS the difference between Ethics and Morals?

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

I'll try to avoid the crossfire...

― Girolamo Savonarola, Monday, 1 December 2003 03:23 (twenty years ago) link

Torturer!

― Orbit (Orbit), Monday, 1 December 2003 03:26 (twenty years ago) link

They are basically synonyms, but there are a few nuances of meaning (according to dictionary.com):

moral·ly adv.
Synonyms: moral, ethical, virtuous, righteous
These adjectives mean in accord with right or good conduct. Moral applies to personal character and behavior, especially sexual conduct: “Our moral sense dictates a clearcut preference for these societies which share with us an abiding respect for individual human rights” (Jimmy Carter). Ethical stresses idealistic standards of right and wrong: “Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants” (Omar N. Bradley). Virtuous implies moral excellence and loftiness of character: “The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous” (Frederick Douglass). Righteous emphasizes moral uprightness; when it is applied to actions, reactions, or impulses, it often implies justifiable outrage: “He was... stirred by righteous wrath” (John Galsworthy).

― Kim (Kim), Monday, 1 December 2003 03:32 (twenty years ago) link

That quote leads me to think morals are personal conscience, and ethics are social conscience.

― sucka (sucka), Monday, 1 December 2003 03:35 (twenty years ago) link

http://industrycentral.net/content/actors/images/polito3.jpg

― Wintermuté (Wintermute), Monday, 1 December 2003 03:36 (twenty years ago) link

i'm not dragging Kant into this....

― possible m (mandinina), Monday, 1 December 2003 03:38 (twenty years ago) link

Hey, I sincerely want to know, because I realized I never really knew. I'm not looking for a deep answer, as much of a can of worms this may be.

In other words: I want the high-school social studies class answer.

― Girolamo Savonarola, Monday, 1 December 2003 03:45 (twenty years ago) link

In that case: morality is ethics taken and dragged through the mud and applied to real life situations. Also, I think it tends to have some connotations of religiosity.

― mouse, Monday, 1 December 2003 04:08 (twenty years ago) link

i've always agreed with the interpretation given by sucka

― the surface noise (electricsound), Monday, 1 December 2003 04:14 (twenty years ago) link

I agree. Right, that's settled then.

― colin s barrow (colin s barrow), Monday, 1 December 2003 05:09 (twenty years ago) link

i will not drag Kant into this discussion......;)

― possible m (mandinina), Monday, 1 December 2003 05:12 (twenty years ago) link

ethics is the golden rule. morals is despising gay people.

― Sterling Clover (s_clover), Monday, 1 December 2003 05:42 (twenty years ago) link

it's all categorical imperatives, imperialist mentalities, and self-loathing. both of them. according to Kant.

― possible m (mandinina), Monday, 1 December 2003 05:44 (twenty years ago) link

i mean, that's Kant, well, according to me *ducks and runs*

― possible m (mandinina), Monday, 1 December 2003 05:49 (twenty years ago) link

Morals is feeling guilty about masturbation. Ethics is feeling guilty about masturbating on other people.

― sucka (sucka), Monday, 1 December 2003 06:18 (twenty years ago) link

damn sucka that's pretty spot on.

― Sterling Clover (s_clover), Monday, 1 December 2003 06:22 (twenty years ago) link

Thanks, so's yours :)

― sucka (sucka), Monday, 1 December 2003 06:28 (twenty years ago) link

yeah, i'd go with the social dimension to ethics too. also, i think ethics tend to be more flexible, like a guideline, something of an framework, whereas because morals exist in a vacuum, they are more rigid, impermeable. morality=religiuos dimension, ethics=humanist?

― charltonlido (gareth), Monday, 1 December 2003 06:50 (twenty years ago) link

Morals are absolutist.

Ethics are relativistic.

Therefore, ethics win.

― David A. (Davant), Monday, 1 December 2003 07:46 (twenty years ago) link

according to you

― s1utsky (slutsky), Monday, 1 December 2003 07:47 (twenty years ago) link

Ha!

― David A. (Davant), Monday, 1 December 2003 09:07 (twenty years ago) link

Basildon's in Ethics.

― C J (C J), Monday, 1 December 2003 09:23 (twenty years ago) link

And Morals are mushrooms.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 1 December 2003 10:01 (twenty years ago) link

Why on earth you think it's possible to make a differentiation on a superficial linguistic level between two such deeply tricky concepts is beyond me.

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 1 December 2003 10:47 (twenty years ago) link

Tracy Flick to thread

― Neil Willett (Neil Willett), Monday, 1 December 2003 11:56 (twenty years ago) link

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.