CHAPTER: WHAT ETHICS IS NOT

Learning Objectives

By the end of this

chapter you should:

 explain the
relationship
between
morality and
law;
 appreciate the
importance of
ethics in the
legal
profession;
 recognize and
apply the
ethical rules
and standards
of conduct
involved in
the practice
CHAPTER: WHAT ETHICS IS NOT
of law;
 knowledgeabl
e about the
ETHICS AND LAW
structure of
the legal 1. But throughout history we also have instances where laws
profession in that are considered unjust are disobeyed in an effort to
Malaysia change them. This occurred with civil rights activist Rosa
 knowledgeabl Parks and the racial segregation laws in the US. Being
e about the ethical does not always entail abiding by the letter of the
role of the law, although most laws articulate ethical standards
Bar Council in generally accepted by the citizenry. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Malaysia; employed nonviolent civil disobedience in the 1950’s and
 knowledgeabl 1960’s to defy discriminatory, segregationist legislation and
e about the
role and 1
responsibilitie
s of lawyers
in Malaysia;
 advance the cause of civil rights in the United States. King patterned his actions on the
social protest movement Ghandi led in South Africa in the 1890’s.

ETHICS AND RELIGION

1. Ethics is also not solely the purview of a religion or religious beliefs. Although most religions
incorporate an ethical code of conduct into their belief system, religious faith is not
required to be ethical and ethical principles apply to everyone regardless of religious
affiliation.

ETHICS AND FEELINGS

1. Ethics is not based on whether we feel something is right or wrong. Sometimes, our feelings
signal to us that we are facing an ethical dilemma, and we want to “do the right thing,” but
feelings also may prevent us from behaving ethically, perhaps out of fear or conflicting
desires.

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