Ethics is the branch of philosophy dedicated to understanding human behavior. and what guides their conduct. The word ethics derives from the Greek term “éthikos" which means "Way of being”.
O purpose of ethics it is to make social coexistence peaceful and fair, whether through collective or individual attitudes. Thus, ethics helps the individual to answer questions such as:
- I must?
- I can?
- I want to?
ethics in philosophy
In philosophy, ethics, also known as moral philosophy, this is the study that seeks to understand the motivations of human behavior, differentiating concepts such as good or bad, right or wrong.
Ethics is not limited to morality, which is generally understood as a custom or habit, but seeks the theoretical foundation to find the best way to live, individually or collectively.
great philosophers like Plato, Socrates and Aristotle, believed that ethics was linked with politics and with the participation of life in society. For them, every human being is born with an ethical sense.
It is also possible to understand ethics by examining certain behaviors in our daily lives. This happens when we refer, for example, to the behavior of some professionals, such as: a doctor; journalist; attorney; businessperson; politician, and even a teacher.
For these cases, it is quite common to hear expressions such as: medical ethics, journalistic ethics, business ethics and public ethics.
What are the differences between Ethics and Morals
Ethics and morals are related topics, but they are different. While morality is the set of rules and norms established in society, ethics is the reflection and understanding of the principles that underlie morality.
THE moral it relates to cultural, family and religious norms, customs or commandments. already the ethic, seeks to base the way of living through thinking and the principles that guide human behavior.
One example of the difference between ethics and morals is the female vote in Brazil. Until 1934, it was morally incorrect for women to be allowed to vote. In other words, it was a norm to be followed.
It was necessary for women to think about the principles that guided this rule/norm, whether they were fair or unfair, right or wrong, and contradict the current model.
From that ethical reflection, the right to vote for women in Brazil was allowed under the Vargas government.
See more about ethics in philosophy.
Examples of ethical conduct
There are many examples of ethics, as it contemplates not only our individual conduct, but also in society. Some common examples are:
- Do not harm people in the work environment;
- Have religious tolerance for different cults, rituals and beliefs;
- Don't get hold of what doesn't belong to you;
- Do not throw garbage on the street;
- Do not smoke indoors;
Read too all about morals.
Types of ethics
rationalist ethics
Widely used and studied by the ancient Greeks, rationalist ethics explains that the individual can control your will and behavior through your reason.
In this case, it is rational thinking that leads a person to become ethical, guiding attitudes, between what is good or bad, right or wrong, whether for individual life or in society.
teleological ethics
It's the kind of ethics that analyzes and reflects to the last possible consequence of an attitude good or bad of an individual.
For example, when a person dumps garbage in rivers, the main consequence could be water contamination and the destruction of flora and fauna, but teleological ethics seeks the real purpose of the action, asking questions such as:
- What is the purpose of throwing garbage in the river?
- Will this action bring any kind of benefit?
- Is it an attitude that generates good?
- Is polluting better than not polluting?
Theological or Christian ethics
Unlike rationalist ethics, theological ethics does not believe in reason as an aspect that controls human wills or attitudes. In this case, ethics is explained by the bible, where the individual follows the conduct of the holy book of Christians.
Thus, the ethical person is the one who approaches God, following his commandments and unethical the one who does not follow what was stipulated in the bible.
know more about Christian ethics.
deontological ethics
The ethics used by the philosopher Immanuel Kant, believes that the individual has the obligation and the sense of having ethical attitudes.
Kant explains that duty comes before the concept of good or evil, of what is right or wrong. Therefore, the individual must act ethically regardless of what he may receive as a result of his behavior. The duty to be ethical comes to the fore.
Deontological ethics is linked to professional ethics, relating to the sets of actions that a professional must have in the exercise of their profession.
Learn more about professional ethics.
utilitarian ethics
It's the kind of ethics that is based on provide good for the greatest number of people.
In this case, ethics is focused on practical attitudes where the individual must assess the situation before actually acting, thinking about how many people will benefit from their action.
history of ethics
The origin of ethics happens in Ancient Greece, when the ancient Greek philosophers started to question and evaluate the way of being and human behavior, with the aim of organizing the way of life of the people.
The Greeks had as their main purpose, to use ethics to achieve the happiness of the individual and society.
Ethics in the Middle Ages
When the Middle Ages arrived, what stands out is Christian ethics. This ethic is based on being obedient to the will and laws of God. With that, the human being would reach true life, which is eternal salvation.
modern ethics
Modern ethics, on the other hand, was centered on subjectivity, that is, on the individual. In modern ethics, it is the individual who makes his own choices and becomes responsible for his own actions.
contemporary ethics
Contemporary ethics deals with the capacity of human beings to make adequate choices to lead their own lives, within the environment of society.
In contemporary ethics, existentialism stands out, where man is responsible for his own attitudes and his happiness and it is he who produces his own existence.
You may also be interested in:
- Definition of ethics (short version);
- Code of ethics;
- ethics and citizenship;
- 6 examples of ethics and morals;
- business ethics;
- Moral sense.