Morality is based on principles that define right and wrong and hold individuals accountable for their decisions, though what is viewed as moral can vary between cultures. Morality requires avoiding harm and having good conduct, while ethics refers more specifically to rules of conduct established by organizations to govern their members, such as codes of ethics or ethics committees. Both morality and ethics emphasize honest and responsible behavior in personal and professional dealings.

1. Doreen Mayers
Fordham/Lincoln Center
Major: English
Expected Graduation: May 2016
Email: dmayers@fordham.edu

2. Ethics and Morality
Ethics and Morality is base upon principles which give value to life and society, morality may
vary from culture to culture but it is still the driving force which defines what right and what is
wrong and holds each person accountable for making valuable decisions. Morality is based upon
an individual ethics, to be ethical you should be able to follow the rule of conduct and live up to
certain expectations base upon society’s “ norm”. Examples for morality is that a person should
not steal, or kill any one, if they do then they can be judge as evil and they will also be penalize
for taking such an unwise decision. To be moral is to avoid what society view as wrong or evil.
Morality requires you to have good conduct at all times and to be ethical to others in personal
and business dealings in society. Even though each culture may view morality differently it
comes from logical reasoning of what is best for all.
Ethics on the other hand is a rule of conduct that is set up by organizations to govern and
rule over their members. In most organization there is a rule call the “code of ethics” in
government there is a group form called the “ethics committee” both of these can judge any one
of their members accordingly who does not act in the interest of the organization or acts
irresponsibly. Ethics is also set up as a value system for each individual to follow the way people
conduct their business is also important to society. For example, do not steal or discriminate, or
get involve in illegal activities in personal or professional dealings. In society ethical means that
a person must be honest in order to be respected. If you don’t know the rules of ethics they can
be given to you by your organization for you to follow so that there will be no misunderstanding
among its members of what is required of them.