1. Essence and Determinants of Ethics

                                      The Essence of Ethics

"In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so."

Ethics is the study of right and wrong in an human action. It involves examining concepts such as right and wrong, good and bad, justice and injustice. The goal of ethics is to provide guidance on how to live our lives and create a better society.

               Ethics Attempts to Answer the Following Questions

                                    

Important Principles of Ethics

The Golden Rule of Ethics

                        "Treat others as you would like to be treated."

This simple rule is a powerful guide for ethical behavior. It means that we should treat others with the same respect, kindness, and consideration that we would want for ourselves.

The Importance of the Golden Rule

• It helps us to understand the feelings of others and see things from their perspective.
• It promotes the belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness.
• It helps to build communities based on mutual respect and compassion.
• It helps us to develop our own moral character by treating others with kindness and generosity.

The Ethics in Everyday Life

• Teach our children to tell the truth and avoid lying.
• Be honest with our colleagues and customers at work.
• Vote for the right person, even if he/she is not the most popular candidate.
• Make decisions fairly and impartially.
• Try to listen to and understand the feelings of others.
• Volunteer our time and resources to help those in need.
• Learn about different cultures and ways of life.
• Treat all people with respect, regardless of their age, gender, religion, or social status.
• Honor and help our elders.
• Recognize that we have the freedom to make our own choices, but our choices should not infringe on the rights of others.
• Take action against injustice in society.
• Use our freedom responsibly by obeying the law.

Ethics can sometimes seem complex to us, because we need to follow different ethical principles depending on the situation. However, learning the basic principles of ethics and trying to apply them in our lives can help us to live happier and more fulfilling lives and contribute to a better society.

                                            

 "Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do."    

                                                         Determinants of Ethics

 

                                  

Ethics of an action is not judged only by what is done, but by how, why, by whom, and with what result it is done.

These factors are called determinants of ethics.

1. Means and Ends

·         Means refer to the methods or tools used to achieve an objective.

·         Ends are the final goals or objectives of an action. Ends must promote public good, justice, and human dignity.

·         Ends do not justify unethical means.

·         Catching criminals (good end) by using torture (unethical means) is wrong.

·         Winning an election by bribing voters, even for public welfare, is unethical.

·         Even noble goals lose moral legitimacy if achieved through immoral means.

Means Keywords - Ethical means, Due process, Procedural justice, Rule of law

·         “Means are as important as ends.” – Gandhi

·         “An action is moral only if it respects human dignity.” – Kant

Ends Keywords - Public good, Welfare, Justice, Common good, Teleological ethics

·         “The greatest happiness of the greatest number.” – Bentham

Intentions

·         Intention is the inner motive behind an action.

·         Moral worth of an action depends significantly on intention.

·         Donating money to help flood victims → ethical intention

·         Donating only for publicity → ethically weak intention

Consequences

·         Consequences are the outcomes or results of an action.

·         Actions are judged by the good or harm they produce.

·         A policy decision improves economic growth but displaces tribals without rehabilitation → ethically questionable.

·         Utilitarianism (Bentham, Mill): Greatest good of the greatest number.

·         Good intention but disastrous consequences still raise ethical concerns.

 

Voluntariness

·         Voluntariness refers to freedom of choice in performing an action.

·         Greater freedom → greater moral responsibility

·         “Voluntary actions alone deserve praise or blame.” – Aristotle

·         Moral responsibility increases with freedom of choice.

·         Coercion reduces moral accountability but does not eliminate it.

Situation / Circumstances

·         Ethical judgment varies with context, urgency, and constraints.

·         Lying is unethical normally, but lying to save a life during riots may be justified.

·         Strict rule enforcement during disaster may be unethical if it denies relief.

·         Keywords - Situational ethics / Contextual morality

Role and responsibility of the actor

·         A judge accepting gifts → more unethical than a private citizen doing the same.

·         Higher office → higher ethical standards

Legal vs Moral Dimension

·         Legality does not always equal morality.

·         Slavery was once legal but immoral.

·         Law is a minimum moral standard, not the highest one.

·         Whistle-blowing may violate service rules but uphold moral justice (in some cases)

 

Ethical evaluation is multi-dimensional. A morally sound action requires ethical means, just ends, right intention, acceptable consequences, voluntariness, and contextual sensitivity.