Relationship Between Ethics, Morality, and the Law

Overview

Many people use morals and ethics interchangeably. The concept of law is quite another topic. In order to properly understand ethical concepts, it is important to understand the concepts of morality and the law. The definition of morals will reference ethics in a circular definition; same goes for ethics. But ethics represents an innate knowledge of right/wrong distinctions. Ethics transcends culture, religion, and time.

Morality is defined as having and living per a moral code, or principles of right and wrong.  Basic morality condemns murder, adultery, lying and stealing. Ethics explores the idea of morality and its place in society and addresses questions about morality. The law is based on principles and regulations established in a community by some authority and applicable to its people.

This course evaluates these concepts and put them in a business context.

Highlights

• Meaning of morality and ethics
• The variation
• Distinguishing factors
• Theories of Jonathan Haidt
• Milgram experiment
• Authoritarian behavior and ethics
• Ethical authority?
• Conflicts

Prerequisites

Completion of other ethics courses may be helpful

Designed For

CPAs in public practice and anyone in business, industry or government

Objectives

• Explore the meaning and examples of morality, ethics and the law.
• Recognize the differences between morality, ethics and the law.
• Identify distinguishing factors between morality and ethics.
• Explore philosopher’s theories of morality and ethics.
• Discover a case study experiment on morality and ethics.
• Explore authoritative behavior versus ethics.
• Recognize the realities of ethical authority.
• Explore example cases of moral/ethical and legal dilemmas.

Preparation

None