According to Preston (2007), ethics are the actual values and rules of conduct by which human beings live. Ethics are concerned with decisions and actions. That is; if an individual acts in a way which is consistent with human beliefs; either drawn from a secular point of view or from a moral authority, then it will be characterized as ethical. Ethics is not an individual aspect; the ethics of one’s actions and decisions is defined societally. On the other hand, morals are values which individual attribute to a system of beliefs; often religious but could also include political. These values obtain their authority from things outside the person; a higher authority or being. Lastly, values are the fundamental beliefs of humans. They are the principles people use to define the good, bad, right, wrong and just. They provide guidance as an individual evaluates the wrong versus the right, the bad versus the right. They are the individual or personal standards of a person (Kolnai, 2008).
Ethics, morals and values are aspects which one acquires as he or she grows and matures. They are shaped by one’s experiences and the people one interacts with. Morals and values are closely related. By valuing something, one evaluates it in terms of good or bad; this is closely tied to the beliefs the person get from a high power or influence. The stories and lessons, people learn have moral which in turn sharpened one’s values. Ethics can be regarded as a verb for morals and values. They are decisions and actions made by individuals with a basis of morals and values.
In the medical field there are a number of ethical issues which arise. Ethical issues have arisen concerning abortion and talking to a doctor. For the case of abortion, there have been issues on when life begins and whether it is ethical to terminate pregnancy. The other issue is concerned with talking to the doctor when seeking medical attention. Often people are faced with the ethical dilemma; whether it is ethical to withhold information relating to oneself or family members from the doctor (Veatch, 1997). These issues are not related to morals or values because they are acquired within the medical field or are taught in the field. They are not based on a system of beliefs, acquired from a higher being or authority or part of ones’ internal values.
References
Kolnai, A. (2008). Ethics, value & reality. New Brunswick, N.J: Transaction Publishers
Preston, N. (2007). Understanding ethics. Annandale, N.S.W: Federation Press
Veatch, R. M. (1997). Medical ethics. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett.
