Or “ethical” vs “moral”

  • xmunk@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    3
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    9 months ago

    Either you’ve got it backwards or those definitions have effectively flipped. Ethics is the study of what a society finds acceptable - while morals are an internal measure. That is why we consider our own moral compass when making a decision that we know wouldn’t be judged by society at large and why we debate the ethics of laws - I.e. is the death penalty an ethical punishment.

    • danhakimi@kbin.social
      cake
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      6
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      9 months ago

      or those definitions have effectively flipped.

      Did you finish reading my comment?

    • kadu@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      5
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      9 months ago

      No, they’re correct. Ethics is a branch of philosophy, concerned with defining right or desirable behavior using the same rational foundations as philosophy as a whole.

      Morality tries to answer the same questions, but it’s based on societal customs, inherited beliefs, religion, and similar.