Table 3 The key differences between morals and ethicsa
Basis for comparison | Morals | Ethics |
|---|---|---|
Meaning | Morals are the beliefs of the individual or group as to what is right or wrong. | Ethics are the guiding principles, which help the individual or group to decide what is good or bad. |
What it is | General principles set by group | Response to a specific situation |
Root word | Mos which means custom | Ethikos which means character |
Governed by | Social and cultural norms | Individual or Legal and Professional norms |
Deals with | Principles of right and wrong | Right and wrong conduct |
Applicability in Business | No | Yes |
Consistency | Morals may differ from society to society and culture to culture. | Ethics are generally uniform. |
Expression | Morals are expressed in the form of general rules and statements. | Ethics are abstract. |
Freedom to think and choose | No | Yes |