Fall Semester:
A PERSONAL ETHIC: Human Dignity

Archives: RS 300 2007-2008

Spring Semester:
A SOCIAL ETHIC: Common Good

The word “ethics” is derived from “ethos” which roughly means “character,” and so Aristotle’s Ethics, for example, is principally about the formation of a virtuous character.

“Morality” sometimes has the connotation of being more about the rules or principles that govern particular actions. So there is something of a character vs. individual acts distinction at work at times. Also, when dealing with the codes of conduct of certain groups, like physicians for example, the word “ethics” is usually used: e.g., “medical ethics” is used, not “medical morality.” The notion of “morality” can relate to “mores,” viz., the particular codes of conducts of certain societies.

Finally, (everything is distinctions, no?) “morality” can have a connotation of relating to personal conduct, using about “manners” as well as drinking and sex, whereas justice refers to how one relates to his or her neighbor and the type of social institutions and structures in place.