What is Ethics ? – Ethics And Human Interface UPSC
Ethics encompasses well-founded principles of right and wrong, guiding human behavior in terms of rights, obligations, societal benefits, fairness, and virtues.
When asked about ethics, people often equate it with their feelings, religious beliefs, or legal requirements. However, being ethical isn’t solely a matter of emotions, religion, or following the law. Ethical standards can differ from personal feelings, religious doctrines, and even laws that deviate from what is morally right.
Furthermore, ethics cannot be limited to societal acceptance, as societies can be ethically corrupt, and consensus on certain issues may be absent. Instead, ethics is rooted in well-established standards that dictate human conduct, such as refraining from harm and adhering to virtues like honesty and compassion.
Additionally, ethics involves a continuous process of introspection and refinement of one’s moral beliefs and actions. It necessitates the examination and development of ethical standards, ensuring they are reasonable and founded on solid principles.
In essence, ethics encompasses both the established moral principles guiding human behavior and the ongoing effort to assess and enhance these standards to foster a human-friendly society grounded in reason and integrity.
Assange and WikiLeaks – ethical or unethical?
Ethics and Contrastivism
A distinct theory, known as contrastivism, asserts that the application of a particular concept is contingent upon a specific set of alternatives. This contrastive approach has found relevance in various philosophically significant areas, including aspects of ethics. For instance, contrastivism regarding reasons posits that whether a particular consideration serves as a reason for an action depends on the comparison to other potential actions.
For example, the fact that your guests follow a vegetarian diet provides a reason to prepare vegetable lasagna instead of roast duck, but it may not be a reason to choose vegetable lasagna over mushroom risotto. Similarly, in the context of obligation, contrastivism suggests that what agents are morally obligated to do can also vary depending on the available alternatives.
Influence of God and Religion on Ethics
The positive influence of God and religion on ethics is significant and unique. It encompasses the following key points:
- Guidance in Ethics: Religious teachings offer unique moral guidance, emphasizing virtues such as compassion, honesty, forgiveness, and empathy, which serve as guiding principles for believers.
- Building Community and Social Cohesion: Religious communities create a sense of belonging and interconnectedness among their members. This strong bond reinforces ethical values and encourages members to support and care for each other.
- Nurturing Altruism: Many religious teachings emphasize the significance of helping others and practicing kindness. Such teachings inspire individuals to engage in acts of benevolence and contribute positively to society.
- Fostering Personal Growth: Religious practices, rituals, prayer, and self-reflection contribute to personal development and the cultivation of virtuous character. This growth positively influences ethical decision-making and behavior.
- Promoting Forgiveness and Redemption: Religious beliefs often highlight the value of forgiveness and redemption. Individuals seek forgiveness for their wrongdoings and strive for personal improvement, leading to a more ethical outlook on life.
- Establishing Ethical Codes and Norms: Religions have established ethical codes and norms that guide the behavior of their adherents. These codes provide a framework for moral decision-making and promote ethical conduct.
- Inculcating Moral Education: Religious institutions play a vital role in moral education, imparting ethical values to the younger generation and nurturing a culture of ethical awareness and responsibility.
Overall, God and religion provide a strong foundation for ethics, shaping individuals’ beliefs, actions, and interactions with others in a positive and ethical manner.
The negative influence of God and religion on ethics
Negatives include: communalism, extremism, abuse of religion for commercial gain, supporting social divisions and social hierarchy based on scriptures, preaching intolerance for other faiths etc.
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