Ethics is a field of philosophical knowledge that examines the problems of good and evil, duty and justice.
The difference between ethics and morality
It should distinguish between the concepts of "ethics" and "morality", "morality." And although in everyday life they are often used as synonyms, each of them has its own meaning. Thus, ethics should be understood as a field of knowledge, and morality as an object of study. The structure of ethical knowledge distinguishes theoretical and normative ethics. It is she who develops norms of behavior and defines the criteria of morality.
The main categories of ethics
Categories are its basic concepts. Ethical categories are general characteristics by which human behavior is evaluated. They include good and its opposite, honor and dignity, duty, conscience, love and happiness, and many others. Next, we briefly explain these and other categories of ethics.
Good is a fundamental concept that reflects the positive value of phenomena, objects; it is the highest ideal in favor of which a person makes his free choice, rising and self-improving.
Good, good - these are the categories of ethics are inextricably linked with the concept of good. However, good is always good for everyone. When talking about the good and benefits, we are talking about the good of a particular person (group).
Evil is the opposite of good, or rather, a departure from it. Evil and good are unequal. Evil is subject to correction by good. The confrontation of these concepts we observe in almost all religious movements.
Duty is a moral need to do things in a certain way.
Equality is mutual respect based on mutual respect.
Love is the perception of an object as an unconditional good.
Happiness is the highest good and valuable state. This is satisfaction with life in general, and currently experiencing strong emotions.
Moreover, ethics does not set as its goal the achievement of good, happiness. She teaches to distinguish true from false values and make her own choices.
Levels of Ethical Principles
All the categories of ethics listed by us can be considered at three levels: personal, professional and worldwide.
1. Personal ethics
This category is decisive in relation to the rest. It is these principles that are mandatory for compliance, and we rely on them in determining ethical behavior. They seek to lay during education. These are principles such as respect, justice, obedience to the law, reliability, honesty, benefit of others.
2. Professional ethics
We all know about the ethical code of doctors, psychologists, teachers , etc. Professional ethics are principles that guide a particular environment. These settings are recorded by associations in writing. The principles of professional ethics are in many respects the same: this is confidentiality, impartiality, strict adherence to job descriptions and others.
3. World ethics
This level implies responsibility not only for oneself, one's actions, one's professional activities, and for the activities of one's subordinates. Each of us, especially those with power and authority, affects what is happening around the world. This also means taking care of the environment. So, at this level, such ethical principles as social responsibility, respect for one’s environment, and attention to environmental problems come to the fore. In the Western world, such a concept as sustainable development has even appeared - that is, such a socially responsible development of companies that takes into account not only the momentary impact of their activities on the environment, but also its consequences for posterity.
A prerequisite for compliance with the principles of level 2 and 3 is the observance of the principles of personal responsibility. At the same time, a reservation should be made: life situations are quite difficult, and principles, for example, global ethics, may come to the fore.