Morals and Ethics

Morals and Ethics in Society

Morals are defined as rules or habits of conduct, especially of sexual conduct, with reference to standards of right and wrong. Ethics are defined as a set of principles of right conduct or a system of moral values. (Heritage Dictionary) It is evident that ethics define moral rights and wrongs. Ethics transcend culture, ethnicity and are relevant to all socioeconomic conditions. William Penn said it best when he stated: “What is wrong is wrong, even if everyone is doing it. Right is still right, even if no one else is doing it.” Morals are ethical principles, founded on fundamental principles of right conduct rather than legalities. Morals are always the same and will never change. Immorality varies from generation to generation and isn’t consistent. With these thoughts in mind, I began my research trying to decipher the concept to determine if morals and ethics in society are diminishing or are staying at a normal pace. In my research process I came across several different works of other authors and used them as a measuring stick to gain my own personal perception of societies grasp on the issues of morals and ethics and how they impact us in society today.

In reading Robert Payton’s short essay entitled Ethics and Morals (2000) he covered many areas of the issues and dilemmas hat we may encounter in society today. For example, Payton states that as children we were all given rules of behavior in all aspects of life (social, religious, education, corporate, etc.). While in these particular places, we should have a varied decorum and we should reflect a certain accommodation to others. He also says that becoming ethical is a gradual process, that is not always smooth or a pattern that is developed in intelligence or ignorance. “Being ethical is taking moral behavior into one’s heart and mind.” Simple morals and ethics as a child were killing people is bad, helping is good. Growing up in a Christian home I was introduced...