8/12/2019 Differences between Ethics, Morals and Values

1/2

What is the difference between ethics, morals and values?

Let me start by stating that even among those who believe they know the answer to this question

there is not total agreement. For many, the way you answer the question is a function of the

academic discipline which shaped your thinking and the religious and/or theological

underpinnings of your personal belief system. So in answering what seems like a simple question

for which there must be a simple answer it becomes necessary to frame any response with an

explanation.

am answering this question from a businessman!s perspective. "y philosopher, lawyer,

theologian and academician friends repeatedly tell me that my definitions are too simplistic and

lack rigor. #n the other hand, their more sophisticated and rigorous definitions can appear to lack

utility and fail to guide the business decisions that those of us in the real world face daily.

$ith that caveat and in reverse order from the question%

Values are our fundamental beliefs.&hey are the principles we use to define that which is

right, good and 'ust. (alues provide guidance as we determine the right versus the wrong, the

good versus the bad. &hey are our standards.

)onsider the word *evaluate+. $hen we evaluate something we compare it to a standard. $e

determine whether it meets that standard or falls short, comes close or far exceeds. &o evaluate is

to determine the merit of a thing or an action as compared to a standard.

&ypical values include honesty, integrity, compassion, courage, honor, responsibility, patriotism,

respect and fairness.

Morals are values which we attribute to a system of beliefs , typically a religious system, but itcould be a political system of some other set of beliefs. &hese values get their authority from

something outside the individual a higher being or higher authority -e.g. society. n the

business world we often find ourselves avoiding framing our ethical choices in moral terms for

fear that doing so might prove offensive -lacking in respect or compassion to some. "any of us

find our values are strongly influenced by our sense of morality right as defined by a higher

authority. et we refrain from citing that authority because doing so may seem less rational and

more emotional to others who do not share our belief system. &he lack of public reference to

morals does not diminish the power of moral authority. 0voiding a moralitybased rationale is a

social convention and one that is not universally practiced.

1y that definition one could categori2e the values listed above -honesty, integrity, compassion

3 as *moral values+ values derived from a higher authority. &hat is a convenient way to

differentiate them from what are often called utilitarian or business values, such as excellence,

quality, safety, service, which define some elements of right and good in a business context.

Ethics is about our actions and decisions.

8/12/2019 Differences between Ethics, Morals and Values

2/2

$hen one acts in ways which are consistent with our beliefs -whether secular or derived from a

moral authority we will characteri2e that as acting ethically. $hen one!s actions are not

congruent with our values our sense of right, good and 'ust we will view that as acting

unethically.

4efining what is ethical is not an individual exercise however. f it were then one could have

argued that what 5itler did was ethical since his actions conformed to his definition of right, fair

and good. &he ethics of our decisions and actions is defined societally, not individually.

f society is dominated by a single religious or cultural belief system, as is the case in some

countries, then what is ethical and what is moral may be defined as the same thing. n societies

where there is not a monolithic belief system there can be very wide differences in opinion in

society as to whether a given action is ethical -or moral.

)onsider several of the longstanding national debates that are going on in the 6nited States.

#ften the controversy is the result of people coming to a question from different moral positions

or from different values. &ake the very difficult question of abortion. f your religious beliefsystem defines abortion as taking a life then you cannot be ethical -acting in ways that are

consistent with your values and support the position that abortion is a woman!s individual

choice. f your personal value system holds that control of one!s body is an inviolable personal

right then the idea that others individually or collectively can impose their will on you is

antithetical to that right.

)ulturally we also see differences as to how values are defined. n 6S society we stand against

nepotism. $e believe that a concern for fairness to all employees demands that large businesses

protect their employees from the unfairness inherent in the situation where an individual

supervisors a member of his or her immediate family. &he concern is for the inevitability ofpreferential treatment and/or the inappropriate sharing of personal/confidential information about

others in the workplace. Fairness demands that nepotism not be tolerated. n the 0rab world,

nepotism is often viewed as an illogical concern. &he cultural obligation to look after one!s

family outweighs other concerns. #f course one would favor family. &hat is what family does.

&hat is the right thing to do.

$hile am not arguing that ethics is *situational+ am arguing that while we may agree on

values, we may disagree as to which values apply or which actions best satisfy those values. s it

fair to treat each employee identically -equality or is it fair to treat each employee according to

his or her needs -equity7 n our society we argue both.

0nd of course we have ethical dilemmas, where the choice is not between what we believe to be

right and what we believe to be wrong, but between competing rights. &he classic case% *s it

ethical to steal a loaf of bread to feed a starving child.+ &he answer, *t depends.+ 1ut that is

another article.