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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ETHICS

AND MORALITY

“THE ETHICAL MAN KNOWS WHAT IS RIGHT; THE MORAL MAN DOES WHAT IS
RIGHT.” – ANONYMOUS

In every human, there is a deep desire for good. Human being by nature tends to good.
And, the ethical principles and moral principles helps a person to become a good human
being.

Many scholars consider ethics and morality similar. Also, there is no watertight
compartment and terms are used interchangeably.

Though according to some scholars, Ethics is not

morality
In the sense that morality can be an individual set of commitments even when they are
rejected by others.

Ex. It can be said that Robin Hood’s act of stealing to feed the poor was unethical
but still moral. In this case, Robin Hood feels that he is right. But according to social
norms and laws, he is wrong.
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Let us enumerate the differences

#1. Source

Source of Ethics is external (Norms, Laws and Religion) while the source of
Morality is internal (Conscience).

#2. Application

Ethics is theory and Morality is practice. Ethics is science which studies

human conduct. In contrast, morality is human actions which can be right or
wrong for the third party.

#3. Social or not

Ethics is usually concerned with a group, Morality is usually concerned with an individual.
For example, a moralist can say I do not believe in war, but what if everyone else does.
So, one can be moral alone, but cannot be ethical alone.

#4. Range

Ethics is science. It studies Morality. Notably, the ethical man knows what is right; the
moral man does what is right.

#5. Attitudinal Difference

Finally, ethics involves cognitive component (i.e. belief, thought, facts, knowledge)
whereas Morality involves behavioural component (i.e. human actions, predisposition)

Still, Ethics and Morality are inseparable as they both relate to right and wrong human
conduct and most of the times used interchangeably.