Ethics and morality are synonymous terms, both meaning customs in their original languages, greek and latin respectively. However, the greek term ethics вќ also implies character as opposed to its latin counterpart referring to social customs. Ethike is descended from ethikos which, in turn from ethos which means character or nature. Ethos is the fundamental and distinctive characteristic of a group within its social context or period of time, typically expressed in its attitudes, habits or beliefs. Thus the ethical nature of the gods can be explored in two ways, from an ancient greek perspective, and from a modern perspective. However, this exploration from two perspectives violates the term ethical as it should be a universal system of moral principles and values applicable through actions perpetrated by humans.

However, absolute standards are unobtainable and conditional upon the society and time in which they are conceived. Another definition suggests that to be ethical is to conform to accepted standards consistent with the agreed principles of correct moral conduct вќ. Conversely, until aristotle, there were no agreed principles for moral conduct вќ thus the term ethical cannot be used within the context of homers society.

We can, however examine the role the gods have to play in the iliad and examine the relationship between the immortal and mortal to ascertain an ethical вќ framework of the poem. Where does our ethical view come from? if it is within us, as part of our soul вќ our precondition of being human then it should be universal regardless of the elapsing centuries and societies, especially if a belief in an ultimate creator is entertained. Indeed, if we believe that this creator is eternal and that he/she bestows our souls, then the idea of eternal souls immediately becomes more viable as they are made of the essence of this creator. It would try to understand the concept of ethics and morality and the difference between the two concepts.

In the paper i would analyse what motivates human behaviour and choices and why those choices can never always be moral and ethical. I will analyse some ethical and moral theories that provide guidelines for ethical human behaviour and critically assess them with the aid of real life examples, to determine whether it is possible to have universally applicable rules that help humans to decide if a decision requires ethical/moral considerations or not. The paper would aim to prove that it is the needs of humans which may be at times materialistic and at other times spiritual, that govern their course of action. As no two humans have similar needs and similar means to fulfil their needs, to straitjacket decisions into moral/ethical and rational is virtually impossible. The temptation to set aside ethical standards is always present, because the gains are so large for the individual who decides to work outside the rules. From the high price of low ethics there is no doubt that to succeed in life today, one has to be shrewd, aggressive and practical.

A Level English Paper

We see all around us that the struggle for existence forces humans to sideline issues of right and wrong and makes them focus only on achieving the ends with little or no consideration to the means employed. For them to be perfectly happy, they have to be a part of a society that is also happy yrjönsuuri 2004. This means that humans, who are biologically selfish, need to consider the interests of the society and be aware of the morality of their choices. But do we understand what ethics and morals are? ethics are not the same as feelings as some people feel good even when they do something criminal markkula center for applied ethics n.d. Ethics are not religion, as many people are not religious, but ethics apply to all markkula center for applied ethics n.d.

Ethics are also not law as law can become ethically corrupt as some totalitarian regimes have made it markkula center for applied ethics n.d. Ethics are not about following culturally accepted norms as cultures can sometimes become corrupt, and neither is ethics science marrakula center for applied ethics n.d. What may feel right to one individual or organization may be considered immoral in another society. This paper would try to analyse the concept of morality and ethics, and their importance in the life of human beings, with an objective to understand whether it is possible to develop universal rules in decision making that can make it easier for humans to take decisions that are acceptable to the society and their conscious. The word ethics comes from the greek word ethos which means moral character or custom.