ETHICS, CULTURE AND SOCIAL VALUES

Meaning and Definition

 Etymologically the term “ethics” corresponds to the Greek word “ethos”

which means character, habit, customs, ways of behaviour, etc.

 Ethics is also called “moral philosophy”. The word “moral” comes from
Latin word “mores” which signifies customs, character, behaviour, etc.

 Thus ethics may be defined as “the systematic study of human actions

from the point of view of their rightfulness or wrongfulness, as means for
the attainment of the ultimate happiness”.

 It is the reflective study of what is good or bad in that part of human

conduct for which humans have some personal responsibility. In simple
words ethics refers to what is good and the way to get it, and what is bad
and how to avoid it

 As a philosophical discipline, ethics is the study of the values and

guidelines by which we live. It also involves the justification of these
values and guidelines.

 It is not merely following a tradition or custom. Instead it requires analysis

and evaluation of these guidelines in light of universal principles.

 As moral philosophy, ethics is the philosophical thinking about morality,

moral problems, and moral judgements.

 It is a rational science in so far as its principles are deduced by human’s

reason from the objects that concern the free will.

 It is a normative/ regulative science in as much as it regulates and directs

human’s life and gives the right orientation to one’s existence.

 Ethics is also theoretical and practical. It is theoretical in as much as it

provides the fundamental principles on the basis of which moral
judgements are arrived at.

 It is practical in as much as it is concerned about an end to be gained, and

the means of attaining it.

 Ethics is not primarily to restrict one’s behaviour, rather to help one to find
what is good and how to get it.

Nature of Ethics

 Ethics deals with voluntary actions. We can distinguish between human

actions and actions of human: human actions are those actions that are
done by human consciously, deliberately and in view of an end.

 Ethics refer to guide what human ought to do, usually in terms of right,
obligations, fairness and specific virtue.
  It is related to issues of propriety –rightness and wrongness, what is right
in ethical, what is wrong in unethical. Sometimes the word ‘proper’ , ‘fair’
and ‘just’ are also used in the place of right and ethical

 At the time of Plato and Aristotle a good man or ethical man was the one
who was a good citizen.

 Socrates declared long ago that virtue is knowledge. What he was trying
to point out that no one could be moral by accident or without true
knowledge of the nature of moral act.

 In Jaina ethics which is known to be the practical application of non-

violence as the highest virtue, it has been stated that ‘knowledge must
precede compassion’. These statements are themselves enough to
indicate that knowledge of virtue is the foundation of the practice of
virtue.

 Ethics is a normative science: It is mainly concerned with what ought

to be done rather than what is the case.

 It differs from positive science. A positive science is concerned with facts

and explains them by their causes, but ethics deals with values. It
evaluates standard or norms by which we can judge human action to be
right or wrong. Logic and Aesthetics are also considered as normative
sciences.

 Ethics is not a practical science: Ethics is not a practical science: it

only guides us to achieve a specific goal. Its way is not like practical
science which is a means for the realization of an end or ideals. For
example, the medical science is a means to remove the causes of disease.
So ethics tries to see what the ultimate goal of life is and how this goal can
be reached.

 Ethics is not an art : Art depends upon result while ethics is based on
motive. In the words of Mackenzie, in art the ultimate appeal is to the
work achieved, whereas in morals the ultimate appeal is to the inner
harmony. Mackenzie again points out that ethics can never be regarded as
an art because virtue has two special features that are not at all significant
in art.

Scope of Ethics:

 Thus morality is an important trait of human personality. The Scope of

Ethics is wide which is mainly concerned with the principles or causes of
action as : - What obligation is common to all ?

What is good in all good acts?

The sense of duty and responsibility.

Individual and Society.

  In moral sphere: Ethics seeks to undertake a critical study of the various
ideals that have been advocated by different thinkers from time to time. It
has been held that a life of virtue can bring about the good for the
individuals as well as for the society - that virtue accounted man will also
be a good citizen. The life of virtue is also called a life of reason

 In Social sphere : As we know in every society there are institutions,

customs and conventions. But with the passage of time, they exert
undesirable influence on the minds of the people. As the family is another
social institution which has to play role in the moralisation of the child. It is
also susceptible to various prejudices; it may adversely affect the minds of
its members

 In Religious sphere : It primarily is concerned with the problems as the

existence of God, immortality of the soul, religious consciousness etc. The
Indian ethics has been treated as a religious discipline to attain salvation
(Moksha). Religion and morality are deeply related to each other. Morality
encourages finer values and virtues in the field of religion.

 Political Consideration : A moral conduct is concerned for political

considerations. All political considerations ultimately are judged by the
moral ideals as aspirations of the people. The institutions like Democracy,
Fascism, and Communism etc. have to be subjected to the rule of law and
ethics must have an upper hand.

Use of Ethics

 The importance of ethics is two fold. First is its constructive value by virtue
of which it develops a critical and moral attitude in man. Ethics must help
us in overall development of personality. Second aspect of the importance
of ethics is destructive. It is by virtue of this aspect that it removes and
destroys the evils and ills of humanity.

 Development of character Ethics is greatly helpful to us in the

development of character and personality. It is through this subject that
we learn various values and virtues of life.

 Knowledge of ideals, values and virtues: In every society certain

ideals and virtues are laid down for the individuals. A comprehensive
knowledge about these ideals and virtues is given to us by ethics. Ethics
helps us to lead a virtuous life.

 Responsibility and Duty: It is with the help of moral rules that we come
to know about our duties and responsibilities. We have duties towards
ourselves as well as towards society.

 Social problems: There is no society in the world where social problems

are not found. Every society faces social problems. The evils and problems
such as crime, unemployment, drug addiction, over-population, child
marriage, dowry system and women's oppression are found everywhere,
 more so in backward countries. In such circumstances, ethics as a subject
can help us a lot in solving these problems.

 Law, Justice and Order: In modern times, justice has acquired social and
economic dimensions. Ethics is quite helpful in understanding the real
meaning of the concept of justice as well as the maintenance of law and
order.

 Utility in Religious, Political and Economic fields: Ethics teaches an

individual to adopt the just means of earning. It discourages corruption.

Ethics and Self Realisation, Human values Rights and Duties

1. Ethics: A Guiding Framework for Self-Realization

 Moral Compass: Ethics provides a moral framework that guides

individuals in making decisions that align with values such as honesty,
integrity, fairness, and respect.

 Social Responsibility: This awareness encourages individuals to act in

ways that contribute positively to society, which is a key aspect of self-
realization.

2. Self-Realization: The Ethical Pursuit of One’s Potential

 Personal Growth: Self-realization is the process of discovering and

fulfilling one’s potential. Ethics plays a crucial role in this journey by
ensuring that the pursuit of personal success does not come at the
expense of others.

 Authenticity: Achieving self-realization often requires being true to

oneself, which includes aligning one’s actions with one’s ethical beliefs.

3. The Interdependence of Ethics and Self-Realization

 Balance of Personal and Collective Good: True self-realization does

not happen in isolation. It requires balancing personal aspirations with the
ethical consideration of how those aspirations affect others.

 Inner Peace and Fulfillment: Ethical living often leads to a sense of

inner peace and fulfillment, which are essential components of self-
realization.

4. Challenges and Ethical Dilemmas in Self-Realization

 Ethical Dilemmas: The path to self-realization can present ethical

dilemmas where individuals must choose between conflicting values or
interests. Navigating these dilemmas requires careful reflection and a
commitment to ethical principles.

 Cultural and Social Influences: Societal norms and cultural values can
influence both ethical beliefs and the process of self-realization. It’s
important to critically assess these influences to ensure that one’s pursuit
of self-realization is ethically
Ethics and Morality

 While ethics provides a structured approach to determining right and

wrong, morality is more about the intrinsic values and beliefs that guide
an individual’s behavior.

 Ethics can be seen as the formalization of moral principles, often to ensure

fairness and consistency in societal or professional contexts.

 An individual might have strong personal morals that conflict with the
ethical standards of their profession.

 For instance, a lawyer might personally believe in the moral wrongness of

a client’s actions but is ethically bound to provide the best defense
possible under the law.

 In today's world, issues like artificial intelligence, environmental

sustainability, and bioethics raise new ethical questions. Morality also
evolves with societal changes, leading to debates on topics like human
rights, gender equality, and social justice.

 Understanding the difference between ethics and morality helps in

navigating complex decisions in personal, professional, and societal
contexts.

Understanding Ethics and social issues

Ethics: A Framework for Evaluating Social Issues

Ethical Theories: Ethics involves various theories that offer different
perspectives on what is right or wrong, good or bad. The main ethical theories
include:

 Utilitarianism: Focuses on the outcomes of actions, aiming for the

greatest good for the greatest number.

 Deontology: Emphasizes duties and rules, where actions are right or

wrong based on adherence to rules or principles, regardless of the
outcomes.

 Virtue Ethics: Concentrates on the character and virtues of the

individual, advocating for actions that reflect moral virtues like courage,
honesty, and compassion.

 Social Contract Theory: Suggests that moral and ethical rules are based
on an implicit agreement among individuals to create a society in which
they can coexist.

Social Issues: Ethical Dimensions

 Social issues refer to problems that affect individuals, groups, or society as

a whole.

 These can range from economic inequality and poverty to environmental

degradation, discrimination, human rights, and healthcare.

 Ethical considerations are central to understanding and addressing these

issues because they often involve conflicting values and interests.

Examples of Ethical and Social Issues:

 Economic Inequality: Ethical questions arise around the fairness of

wealth distribution, the rights of individuals to economic resources, and
the responsibilities of the wealthy to the less fortunate.

 Healthcare Access: Ethical dilemmas in healthcare include questions of

who gets access to limited medical resources, the right to healthcare, and
the balance between individual rights and public health.

The Role of Ethics in Addressing Social Issues.

 Guiding Policy and Decision-Making: Ethical principles are often used

to guide public policy and decision-making. For example, policies on
healthcare, education, and welfare are influenced by ethical
considerations about fairness, justice

 Balancing Conflicting Interests: Social issues often involve competing

interests and values. Ethics helps in balancing these conflicts by providing
a reasoned approach to decision-making, considering the impacts on all
stakeholders.

Promoting Social Justice:

Ethics plays a crucial role in advocating for social justice, ensuring that policies
and actions promote fairness and equity, especially for marginalized or
disadvantaged groups.

Challenges in Applying Ethics to Social Issues

 Cultural and Moral Relativism: Different cultures and societies may

have different moral values and ethical standards, leading to challenges in
finding universally acceptable solutions to social issues.

 Complexity and Uncertainty: Social issues are often complex and

multifaceted, with no clear-cut solutions. Ethical decision-making in such
contexts requires careful consideration of various factors, including long-
term consequences and unintended effects.

Contemporary Ethical Debates in Social Issues

 Globalization and Ethics: Globalization has brought about economic

growth and cultural exchange, but it has also led to ethical concerns about
labor rights, environmental degradation, and cultural homogenization.

 Bioethics: Advances in biotechnology, such as genetic engineering,

cloning, and stem cell research, raise ethical questions about the limits of
human intervention in natural processes, the rights of individuals, and the
potential for unintended consequences.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Ethics: The rise of AI and automation raises
ethical questions about job displacement, privacy, and the potential for biased
algorithms