MORAL AND ETHICS:

First I can explain that the Morals refer to the beliefs what is not objectively right, but what is
considered right for any situation, so it can be said that what is morally correct may not be
objectively correct. And the Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the principles of
conduct of an individual or group. It works as a guiding principle as to decide what is good or bad.

BASIS FOR
MORALS ETHICS
COMPARISON

Meaning Morals are the beliefs of the Ethics are the guiding principles
individual or group as to what is which help the individual or group
right or wrong. to decide what is good or bad.

What is it? 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 Ethics are generally uniform.
society and culture to culture.

Expression Morals are expressed in the form Ethics are abstract.

of general rules and statements.

Freedom to think and No Yes

choose

What does morals mean?
A person’s idea of morals tends to be shaped by their surrounding environment (and sometimes
their belief system). Moral values shape a person’s ideas about right and wrong.
They often provide the guiding ideas behind ethical systems. That’s where it gets tricky … morals
are the basis for ethics.

A moral person wants to do the right thing, and a moral impulse usually means best intentions.

What does ethics mean?
Ethics are distinct from morals in that they’re much more practical.
An ethical code doesn’t have to be moral. It’s just a set of rules for people to follow. Several
professional organizations (like the American Bar Association and the American Medical
Association) have created specific ethical codes for their respective fields.

In other words, an ethical code has nothing to do with cosmic righteousness or a set of beliefs. It’s a
set of rules that are drafted by trade groups to ensure members stay out of trouble and act in a way
that brings credit to the profession.
Ethics aren’t always moral… and vice versa
It’s important to know that what’s ethical isn’t always what’s moral, and vice versa. Omerta, for
example, is a code of silence that developed among members of the Mafia. It was used to protect
criminals from the police. This follows the rules of ethically-correct behavior for the organization,
but it can also be viewed as wrong from a moral standpoint.
A moral action can also be unethical. A lawyer who tells the court that his client is guilty may be
acting out of a moral desire to see justice done, but this is deeply unethical because it violates the
attorney-client privilege.

Conclusion

Every single individual has some principles which help him throughout his life to cope up with any
adverse situation; they are known as ethics. On the other hand, Morals are not the hard and fast
rules or very rigid, but they are the rules which a majority of people considered as right. That is why
the people widely accept them. This is all for differentiating Morals from Ethics.