2. The word “ethics” is derived from the Greek
word ethos (character), and from the Latin
word ‘mores’ (customs).
Derived from the Greek word “ethos”,
which means “way of living”, ethics is a
branch of philosophy that is concerned
with human conduct.
It consists in a code of conduct of human
beings living in a society.
3. Ethics is an attempt to guide human conduct
and it is also an attempt to help man in
leading good life by applying moral principles.
Ethics refers to well based standards of right
and wrong that prescribe what humans ought
to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations,
benefits to society, fairness,
virtues.
Ethics is related to issues
or specific
of propriety,
rightness and wrongness.
5. MACKENZIE defines ethics as “the study of
what is right or good in human conduct” or the
“science of the ideal involved in human life”.
So, it is clear that ethics is the study which
determines rightness or wrongness of
actions.
WHEELWRIGHT (1959) “ethics is that branch
of philosophy which is systematic study of
reflective choice, of the standards of right and
wrong by which it is to be guided, and of the
goods toward which it may ultimately be
directed.”
6. Ethics is simply the notion of knowing right from wrong. Basically it
means“ do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Ethics
is often used interchangeably with morality, but they are actually two
different concepts.
Ethics is not, however, the study of what people do or how people
act. This is descriptive, not normative. Ethics is normative--about
what ought to be, not what is so.
Ethics, sometimes known as philosophical ethics, ethical theory,
moral theory, and moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that
involves systematizing, defending and recommending concepts of
right and wrong conduct, often addressing disputes of moral
diversity.
Ethics provides us with the tools to determine whether or not we
should do a certain action and the extent to which a past action
should have been done
7. It assists in availing legal representation to all in the
society.
It sets out the minimum duties of a legal practitioner
towards his client, the court and to his counter parts in
the profession
It spells out the minimum standards of practice.
Enhances public confidence in the legal profession
It builds loyalty between the advocate and his client
It gives the lawyer a guide line on how to act in cases
of conflicts of interest
It Assists in the protection of fundamental human
interests like life, liberty and property
8. Ethics aims at systematic knowledge. So, ethics is a
science. Every science is concerned with a particular
sphere of nature. As a science ethics has its own
particular sphere; it deals with certain judgments that
we make about human conduct. It deals with
systematic explanation of rightness or wrongness in
the light of the highest Good of man.
Ethics is not an art. Ethics does not teach us an art as
to how to lead a moral life. Rather it helps us to justify
rightness or goodness which can lead to the supreme
goal of human life that is to realize the summum
bonum of human life. So, ethics is not a means to the
highest ideal of human life.
9. Ethics provides us with the tools to determine whether
or not we should do a certain action and the extent to
which a past action should have been done.
Ethics is a good philosophy to use for decision
making. The study of ethics can help improve knowing
the difference between right and wrong.
In a business ethics has become very valuable to
organizational behavior. when communicating with
other individuals ethics can help individuals to use
better more positive behavior with one another.
Study of ethics can teach a person about themselves
and help an individual to relate to other who are
different in a positive manner.
10. In education Ethics decides what impulses
and dispositions in children should be
strengthened and what should be
suppressed.
Ethics teaches how one should conduct
themselves in order to achieve the ultimate
good in life, not only for themselves but
also for others.
11. Ethics is not concerned with the nature, origin or development
of human conduct, it is concerned with the ideal or standard to
which our conduct should conform.
Ethics discusses the nature of human freedom. It investigates
what constitutes good or bad, just or unjust.
Range of ethics includes sense of duty or moral obligation and
responsibility for actions.
Ethics is not a guidebook of moral values .it seeks clarification
of terms used in moral language.
Ethics deals with
political,sociological,cultural,economic,environmental,religious
problems in pursuit of highest good.
Our right actions have merit; our wrong actions have demerit.
Ethics enquires into the criterion of merit and demerit. It tries
to find out what makes an action meritorious.
12.
13. Summum bonum is a Latin expre-
ssion meaning "the highest good“
Vocation- a strong feeling of suitability for a
particular career or occupation.
Interchangeably- in a way that can be
exchanged.
Descriptive- describing or classifying in an
objective and non-judgemental way.
Normative- establishing, relating to, or
deriving from a standard or norm, especially
of behaviour.
