ETHICS

What Is It?

• Branch of study dealing with what is the proper course of action for man. 
• Derived from the Greek word ethos, which means "way of living"
• Focuses on answering questions such as, "What do I do?"  and "What is considered right?"
  
• Concerned with human conduct, more specifically the behavior of individuals in society.
  
• Examines the rational justification for our moral judgments; it studies what is morally right or wrong, just or unjust.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Why Is It Important?

• Since it focuses on means of deciding a course of action, without it, actions would be random and aimless.
  
• Even with an ethical standard, there would be a lack of wanting to pursue goals with no hope of success. 
• Seeks to address questions about morality; that is, about concepts such as good and bad, right and wrong, justice, and virtue.              
  

Morals:

- Definition:  

• "Concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness or badness of human character."
• "Concerned with or adhering to the code of interpersonal behavior that is considered right or acceptable in a particular society.
  

- To Have Morals: 

• Having high principles regarding the distinction between right and wrong in behavior and action.

- Important?  

• Morality is nothing more than a popular consensus on how people should conduct themselves in society.
• Good and evil are subjective to those who create them; there is no universal morality
• Since there is no universal way to determine what is good vs. evil, and considering that man has come up with definitions for both,  morals may just be existent simply to keep societies functioning together.
  
• Therefore morality exists solely to be used as median scale, it keeps society in balance.