Class 1: Ethics

Difference Between Morals and

Ethics
March 25, 2015 By Surbhi S

There is always an ambiguity when we talk about

Morals and Ethics because their difference is subtle.
Perhaps, these two defines a personality, attitude and
behavior of a person. The word Morals is derived from
a Greek word “Mos” which means custom. On the
other hand, if we talk about Ethics, it is also derived
from a Greek word “Ethios” which means character.
Now let’s start learning the difference between Morals
and Ethics.

Content: Morals Vs Ethics

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Examples
5. Conclusion
Comparison Chart

BASIS FOR
MORALS ETHICS
COMPARISON

Meaning Morals are the Ethics are the

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

Governed By Social and Individual or

cultural norms Legal and
Professional
norms

Applicability in No Yes
Business

Consistency Morals may Ethics are

differ from generally
society to uniform.
society and
culture to
culture.

Expression Morals are Ethics are

expressed in abstract.
the form of
general rules
and
statements.
Freedom to No Yes
think and choose

Definition of Morals
Morals are the social, cultural and religious beliefs or
values of an individual or group which tells us what is
right or wrong. They are the rules and standards made
by the society or culture which is to be followed by us
while deciding what is right. Some examples of Morals
are:

• Do not cheat
• Be loyal
• Be patient
• Always tell the truth
• Be generous

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.

Definition of Ethics
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. They are the standards which govern the life of
a person. Ethics is also known as moral philosophy.
Some examples of Ethics are:

• Truthfulness
• Honesty
• Loyalty
• Respect
• Fairness
• Integrity

Key Differences Between Morals and

Ethics
The major differences between Morals and Ethics are
as under:

1. Morals deal with what is ‘right or wrong’. Ethics

deals with what is ‘good or evil’.
2. Morals are dictated by society, culture or religion
while Ethics are chosen by the person himself
which governs his life.
3. As morals are framed and designed by the group,
there is no option to think and choose; the
individual can either accept or reject. Conversely,
the people are free to think and choose the
principles of his life in ethics.
4. Morals may vary from society to society and
culture to culture. As opposed to Ethics, which
remains same regardless of any culture, religion or
society.
5. Morals do not have any applicability to business,
whereas Ethics is widely applicable in the business
known as business ethics.
6. Morals are expressed in the form of statements,
but Ethics are not expressed in the form of
statements.

Examples
• If the son of a big politician has committed a crime
and he uses his powers to free his son from legal
consequences. Then this act is immoral because
the politician is trying to save a culprit.
• A very close friend or relative of an interviewer comes
for an interview and without asking a single
question, he selects him. This act is unethical
because the selection process must be transparent
and unbiased.
• A grocer sells adulterated products to his customers
to earn more profit. This act is neither moral nor
ethical because he is cheating his customers and
profession at the same time.

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.