Introduction to Professional

Ethics
Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences
and Humanities, Riphah International University
Islamabad, Pakistan
Email : [email protected]
 Objectives:

• To know the definition and meaning of Ethics

• To learn the importance and classification of ethics
 Introduction: Origin of Ethics and Morality in Different Eras:

• All religions and cultures gave the idea of some ethical values.
Examples:
1. The Golden Rule is the principle of treating others as one wants to be treated. It was used in the early
17th century in Britain by Anglican preachers. It is a maxim that is found in most religions and cultures.
It can be considered an ethic of reciprocity in some religions, although different religions treat it
differently.

The maxim appears as an injunction governing conduct:

*Treat others as you would like others to treat you (positive form)
*Do not treat others in ways that you would not like to be treated (prohibitive form)
*What you wish upon others, you wish upon yourself (responsive form)
 Cont…
• The essences of this Golden Rule was present in different cultures like:
a) In Ancient Egypt in the form of the proverb: “That which you hate to be done to
you, do not do to another.”
b) In Ancient India: “One should never do something to others that one would regard
as an injury to one's own self. In brief, this is dharma.”
c) In Ancient Greece: “Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing.”
d) In Ancient Persia: “That nature alone is good which refrains from doing to another
whatsoever is not good for itself”.
e) In Ancient Rome: “Treat your inferior as you would wish your superior to treat
you”.
 Cont…
• The essences of this Golden Rule was present in different religions like:

i) In Revealed (Ilhaami) Religions:

a) In Judaism, as a verse of Torah: “You shall not take vengeance or bear a

grudge against your kinsfolk. Love your neighbor as yourself…”
b) In Christianity, as a verse of Injeel: “Do to others what you want them to do
to you. This is the meaning of the law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets.”
 Cont…
• ) In Islam as verse 60 of Surah Rahman: ‫ِإْلحْ َس ُان‬33‫ِإْلحْ َس ِانِإ اَّل ا‬33‫ َزاء ا‬3‫هَْل َج‬
“Is the reward for good [anything] but good?”

‫ َسبَ ْ َأ‬3‫ ِب َما َك‬333‫صيبَ ٍة َف‬

Verse 30 of Surah Ash-Shura: 3‫ت ْي ِدي ُك ْم‬ َ ‫َو َما َأ‬
ِ ‫ ِّمن ُّم‬3‫صابَ ُكم‬
“And whenever a disaster strikes you, it is due to what your hands have earned (what you have done).”

Verse 178 of Surah al-Baqarah:‫ نُألثَى‬33‫ا‬333‫ نُألثَى ِب‬33‫ل َع ْب ِد َوا‬33‫ا‬

ْ 333‫ل َع ْب ُد ِب‬33‫ا‬
ْ ‫ل ُح ِّر َو‬33‫ا‬
ْ 333‫لحُرُّ ِب‬33‫ا‬
ْ ‫لقَ ْتلَى‬33‫ا‬
ْ ‫ي‬333‫اص ِف‬
ُ ‫ص‬ ْ 3‫تِ َب َعلَ ْي ُك ُم‬3‫وا ُك‬
َ ِ‫لق‬33‫ا‬ ْ ُ‫ َمن‬3‫ل ِذ َينآ‬33‫ا‬
َّ ‫ا‬3َ‫ا َأيُّه‬33‫َي‬
“O believers! The Law of Retaliation (Equality in punishment) is prescribed for you in the matter of the murdered: the free
for the free and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female…..”

And as a Hadith of the Prophet peace be upon him: “None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what
he wishes for himself.” (Sahih Bukhari, Book of Belief, Hadith no.12)
Another Hadith is: ‫ار‬ ِ ‫ َر َر َواَل‬3 ‫ض‬
َ ‫ َر‬3 ‫ض‬ َ ‫“اَل‬No Injury or Harm shall be Inflicted or Reciprocated” (Arba’in an-Nawawi,
Hadith no. 32)
 Conti….
• ii) In Non-Revealed (Ghair-Ilhaami) Religions:
a) In Hinduism, verse of Mahabharata: “If the entire dharma can be said in a few words, then it is—
that which is unfavorable to us, do not do that to others.”
b) In Buddhism, verse of Sutta Nipata: “Comparing oneself to others in such terms as Just as I am, so
are they, just as they are, so am I, he should neither kill nor cause others to kill.”
c) In Sikhism, saying of Guru Granth Sahib: “Precious like jewels are the minds of all. To hurt them is
not at all good. If you desire (good) for your beloved, then hurt not anyone's heart.”
d) In Confucianism, saying of Confucius: “Never impose on others what you would not choose for
yourself”.
e) In Zoroastrianism, Shayast ne-Shayast, a Jurisprudential Book: “Do not do unto others whatever
is injurious to yourself.”
Meaning and Origin of Ethics and
Morality
Definition of Ethics
The term ethics is derived from Greek term (ethos), meaning “custom, norm, tradition, habit”.
Aristotle (384-322 BC) used this term to include both idea of “Character” or disposition (nature), personality and
inclination (tendency).
• The Latin root word, Moralis, means "pertaining to morals." This term was introduced by Roman Philosopher
& Statesman Cicero (106-43 BC) who regarded it as the Latin equivalent of Ethicus means “belonging to
ethics/morals, character”

• Definitions of Moralist. a) The one who leads a moral life. b) The one who has strong ideas about right
and wrong behaviour and who tries to make other people behave according to these ideas. c) A
philosopher who is concerned about moral principles and moral problems.
 Cont…
These terms; ethikos and ethos were further developed and eventually today the term ethics is used to refer to:
 distinctive character, conduct,
 attitude of a group or of people

Ethics may be defined as

“a branch of knowledge deals with moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour living in a society”
Example: Arabs’ Hospitality even before the Arrival of Islam
“a science which judges and recommends the concept of right or wrong, good or bad conduct/activity….”
Example: Modesty is a part of human nature.
 Cont…
Other Meanings of Ethics

A moral principle or set of moral values hold by an individual or group.

A study of the moral values of human conduct and of the rules and principles that should
govern it.
Ethics means set of moral principles related to human behavior based on certain ideals and
norms belong to certain society, races, community or people.
Example: Respect by touching elders’ feet OR Humbleness by greeting (namastey) & joining
hands together.
 Terms related to Ethics
. Morality
• Ethics sometimes used synonymously with moral
• From Latin moralis meaning “customs, character, manners”.
• Moral however refers to “the conduct itself”; “the realm of practices”.
• Ethics refer to the study of “the moral conduct; the theoretical and rational examination of
morality”.
• A moralist will “strongly hold to certain values, he considers worthwhile without asking why”.
• An ethicist, will undertake “the systematic questioning and critical examination of the
underlying principle of morality without blind presumptions & prejudice”.
 Cont…
. Virtues
The quality or practice of moral excellence or righteousness
Any of the fundamental virtues like prudence (carefulness/cautious/sensible), wisdom, justice, fortitude (strength in
the face of adversity or difficulty e.g. Prophet Ibrahim’s Attitude when King Namrood was going to throw him in
fire-pit) and temperance (self-control e.g. Prophet Nooh’s preaching and tolerance towards his nation for 950
years).

3. Noble Character / Nobility

The state or quality of being morally or spiritually good.
Example: Nobility of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him due to his truthfulness and trustworthiness (Titles of
Sadiq & Amin)
 The Importance of Ethics
• A science is defined as a systematic body of knowledge about a particular set of related events or
objects.
*Political science deals systematically with political behavior of a group of people, governance and
political Institutions.
*Medical science deals with systematic study of health and welfare of human beings.
* Linguistics is the science of language deals with systematic study of the nature and function of
language, grammatical structure and development.
* Ethics as a science which deals with a systematic body of norms, values, and principles which
help in regulating human conduct in society. (e.g. ethics in daily life, in professional life, at
workplace, in business, in politics, for a doctor, for students, etc)
 Cont….
• Ethics as a normative science judges human conduct as good or bad, appropriate or inappropriate.

• When good is taken to be key to ethical behavior, this leads to ethical theory characterized by value fulfillment, which means
fulfillment of a set of obligations towards others. Such theories are termed as:

Axiological Theory (Theory of Value): It stresses value/importance aspect of a thing e.g. microwaves are valuable by virtue of

the function they perform.

Teleological Theory (Theory of Result): It stresses final goal, purpose & objective. It focuses on the end result or consequences.

It is also know as “principle of utility” e.g. the purpose/goal of a fork is to hold food. In Medical Ethics, Teleology provides a

moral basis for the professional ethics of medicine, as physicians are generally concerned with outcomes and therefore they must

know the telos (result) of a given treatment pattern.

 Cont….
Above-mentioned Two Theories are almost similar in their sense as the value of one thing is also leads towards its
good or bad result e.g. Value of money lies in its purchasing power and it also lies in its result that you have bought a
thing with money.

* Example of fulfillment of a set of obligations towards others:

The Prophet peace be upon him said:
‫عَنْ َأبِي َذ ٍّر قَا َل قَا َل النَّ ِب ُّي صلى هللا عليه وسلم يَا َأبَا َذ ٍّر ِإ َذا طَبَ ْختَ َم َرقَةً فََأ ْكثِ ْر َما َء ا ْل َم َرقَ ِة َوتَ َعا َه ْد ِجي َرانَ َك‬
“O Abu Dharr! Whenever you prepare a broth, put plenty of water in it, and give some of it to your neighbors”.
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2625)

The Value lies in this act of courtesy & consideration towards neighbours and the Result is that, they wont be hungry
and they may return the favour.
 Classifications of Ethics
1-Descriptive Ethics: The category of descriptive ethics is the easiest to understand as it simply involves describing how people
behave and what sorts of moral standards they claim to follow. It reports the moral principles that govern the behavior of
individuals in a certain society i.e. what the society considers as good or bad.

Descriptive ethics incorporates research from the fields of anthropology (study of humanity related to human evolution, biology,
behaviours, cultures, societies, linguistics in both the present and past), psychology, sociology (human social behaviour, pattern
of social relationships, aspects of culture associated with daily life) and history (e.g. History Book “Muqaddima Ibn Khuldoon”
describes different nations, cultures & civilizations throughout the mankind) as part of the process of understanding what people
do or have believed about moral norms. It is carried out by anthropologist, sociologist, historian and psychologist.
 Cont..
• 2-Normative Ethics: It involves moral standards that regulate right and wrong conduct. It gives the idea that our good and bad actions are reciprocal. If we
harm others, we may be responded in the same way.

* The Golden Rule is a classic example of a normative ethics: “We should do to others what we would want others to do to us”.

Example: If a person does not want his neighbor to steal his car, then it is wrong for him to steal his neighbour’s car. Similarly, if a person wants people to feed

him when he is starving, then he should feed starving people too when he is able to do so. Using this same reasoning, a person can determine whether any

possible action is right or wrong.

* So, based on the Golden Rule, it would also be wrong for a person to lie to, harass, victimize, assault, or kill others. The Golden Rule is an example of a

normative theory that establishes a single principle against which, we judge morality of all actions.

* In Islam, there is a concept of The Law of Retaliation (Equality in punishment). Surah Ma’idah, verse 45:

“And We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal

retribution.”
• Application of Normative Ethics in Our Practical/Professional Life:
* Avoid harming others,
* Treat people as equals
* Promote the good of others.
* Fidelity: the duty to keep promises
* Compensation: the duty to compensate others when we harm them
* Gratitude: the duty to thank those who help us
* Justice: the duty to recognize merit
* Beneficence: the duty to improve the conditions of others
* Self-improvement: the duty to improve our virtues
* Nonmaleficence: the duty to not injure others
 Cont..
• 3-Applied Ethics: It refers to the real-world actions and practical application of moral considerations in the areas of private and public life, the
professions, health, technology, law, and leadership

Examples:

* In Bioethics or Medical Ethics, identification of the correct approach to moral issues in the life sciences, such as euthanasia (practice of

intentionally ending life to relieve pain and suffering), the use of human embryos in research, production of test-tube babies etc.

* Environmental Ethics is related too ecological issues such as the responsibility of government and corporations to clean up pollution.

* Business Ethics includes questions regarding the duties and loyalty of employers to their employers (whistle blowing to the general public).

* Cyber Ethics examines moral, legal, and social issues on computer/information and communication technologies i.e. mobiles. This field is also

referred to Internet ethics, computer ethics, and information ethics.

 Cont..
• Following principles are related to Applied Ethics:
* Principle of benevolence: help those in need.

* Principle of paternalism: assist others in pursuing their best interests when they cannot do so themselves.

* Principle of harm: do not harm others.

* Principle of honesty: do not deceive others.

* Principle of lawfulness: do not violate the law.

* Principle of independence: acknowledge a person’s freedom over his/her actions or physical body.

* Principle of justice: acknowledge a person’s right to due process, fair compensation for harm done, and fair

distribution of benefits.

* Rights: acknowledge a person’s rights to life, information, privacy, free expression, and safety.
 Development of Ethics
• In ethics emphasis is on rational inquiry and understanding of what is
good and what is bad in terms of human action.
• In this way ethics became synonyms to morality and morals.
• In today’s world we find a discussion on morality in most of the books on
Ethics because these two terms or concepts are used interchangeably.
• In recent years some other scholars and authors have differentiated these
two terms, ethics and morality.
 Difference between Ethics and Morality

• Oliver (a Western professor of philosophy) argues: “Ethics, is a term that

refers not directly to practice but rather to theory”.
• “This difference in usage, although generally accepted in philosophical circles,
is not followed by people in general.” We should not use terms “ethics and
ethical” in place of “morality and moral”. “Because the two realms—the
practical and the theoretical—do exist and do differ from each other.

• [Oliver A. Johnson, Ethics: Selections from Classical and Contemporary Writers, fifth edition, Holt, Rinehart and
Winston, New York, 1984, p2]
 Cont..
• However, to say that ethics is the theoretical examination of morality alone is
wrong because in any way we cannot confine ethical inquiry to morality,
conduct or behaviour. Its scope, from ethical point of view, must include
everything. One of the objectives of ethics is to determine the rightness or
wrongness of ideas, theories and thought.
• According to William H. Shaw (a Western professor of philosophy), some
other philosophers tend to distinguish morality from ethics. “To them morality
refers to human conduct and values, and ethics refers to the study of those
areas”.
 Morals and Ethics
Ethics is presented as a branch of Philosophy which is mainly concerned with rational inquiry of
morality, provides a rational basis and understanding to morality.
It is asserted that ethics, in fact, “seeks to explain the place of morality in a scientific view of
the world.”
The origin of ethical discourse is found in Greek philosophy, even before Aristotle when
Socrates (470-399 BC) raised the Question; ‘What should a person do?’
It was considered the first basic question of ethics.
• Related to good conduct (moral, behavior)
• Guarantee good and successful life
 Cont..
• Thus, we observe that since the time of Greek philosophical thought,
ethics and morality have been generally used interchangeably.
• Bertrand Russell (a British philosopher) asserts: “The first step in
ethics … is to be quite clear as to what we mean by good and bad.
Only then can we return to conduct and ask how right conduct is
related to the production of goods and the avoidance of evils.”
 References:

1. Ethics https://iep.utm.edu/ethics/#H3
2. 40 Hadiths on Social Justice by SH. Omar Suleiman
https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/4713562/40HadithLectureNotes/40onSocialJustice-Week-18.pdff
3. Ethics: Descriptive, Normative, and Analytic
https://www.learnreligions.com/ethics-descriptive-normative-and-analytic-4037543
4. Teleological Ethical Theories
https://businessjargons.com/teleological-ethical-theories.html
5. Cyberethics
https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-1-4020-8265-8_279
6. Ethics: Selections from Classical and Contemporary Writers by Oliver A. Johnson.