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Navron Associates
Defining
Values, Morals, and Ethics
Frank J. Navran
What is the difference between ethics, morals and values?
Let me start by stating that even among those who believe they know the
answer to this question there is not total agreement. For many, the way
you answer the question is a function of the academic discipline which
shaped your thinking and the religious and/or theological underpinnings
of your personal belief system. So in answering what seems like a
simple question for which there must be a simple answer it becomes
necessary to frame any response with an explanation.
I am answering this question from a businessman’s perspective. My
philosopher, lawyer, theologian and academician friends repeatedly tell
me that my definitions are too simplistic and lack rigor. On the other
hand, their more sophisticated and rigorous definitions can appear to
lack utility and fail to guide the business decisions that those of us
in the real world face daily.
With that caveat and in reverse order from the question:
Values are our fundamental beliefs. They are the principles we use to
define that which is right, good and just. Values provide guidance as
we determine the right versus the wrong, the good versus the bad. They
are our standards.
Consider the word “evaluate”. When we evaluate something we compare it
to a standard. We determine whether it meets that standard or falls
short, comes close or far exceeds. To evaluate is to determine the
merit of a thing or an action as compared to a standard.
Typical values include honesty, integrity, compassion, courage, honor,
responsibility, patriotism, respect and fairness.
Morals are values which we attribute to a system of beliefs, typically
a religious system, but it could be a political system of some other
set of beliefs. These values get their authority from something outside
the individual- a higher being or higher authority (e.g. society). In
the business world we often find ourselves avoiding framing our ethical
choices in moral terms for fear that doing so might prove offensive
(lacking in respect or compassion) to some. Many of us find our values
are strongly influenced by our sense of morality - right as defined by
a higher authority. Yet we refrain from citing that authority because
doing so may seem less rational and more emotional to others who do not
share our belief system. The lack of public reference to morals does
not diminish the power of moral authority. Avoiding a morality-based
rationale is a social convention and one that is not universally
practiced.
By that definition one could categorize the values listed above
(honesty, integrity, compassion …) as “moral values” - values derived
from a higher authority. That is a convenient way to differentiate them
from what are often called utilitarian or business values, such as
excellence, quality, safety, service, which define some elements of
right and good in a business context.
Ethics is about our actions and decisions. When one acts in ways which
are consistent with our beliefs (whether secular or derived from a
moral authority) we will characterize that as acting ethically. When
one’s actions are not congruent with our values - our sense of right,
good and just - we will view that as acting unethically.
Defining what is ethical is not an individual exercise however. If it
were then one could have argued that what Hitler did was ethical since
his actions conformed to his definition of right, fair and good. The
ethics of our decisions and actions is defined societally, not
individually.
If society is dominated by a single religious or cultural belief
system, as is the case in some countries, then what is ethical and what
is moral may be defined as the same thing. In societies where there is
not a monolithic belief system there can be very wide differences in
opinion in society as to whether a given action is ethical (or moral).
Consider several of the long-standing national debates that are going
on in the United States. Often the controversy is the result of people
coming to a question from different moral positions or from different
values. Take the very difficult question of abortion. If your religious
belief system defines abortion as taking a life then you cannot be
ethical (acting in ways that are consistent with your values) and
support the position that abortion is a woman’s individual choice. If
your personal value system holds that control of one’s body is an
inviolable personal right then the idea that others - individually or
collectively - can impose their will on you is antithetical to that
right.
Culturally we also see differences as to how values are defined. In US
society we stand against nepotism. We believe that a concern for
fairness to all employees demands that large businesses protect their
employees from the unfairness inherent in the situation where an
individual supervisors a member of his or her immediate family. The
concern is for the inevitability of preferential treatment and/or the
inappropriate sharing of personal/confidential information about others
in the workplace. Fairness demands that nepotism not be tolerated. In
the Arab world, nepotism is often viewed as an illogical concern. The
cultural obligation to look after one’s family outweighs other
concerns. Of course one would favor family. That is what family does.
That is the right thing to do.
While I am not arguing that ethics is “situational” I am arguing that
while we may agree on values, we may disagree as to which values apply
or which actions best satisfy those values. Is it fair to treat each
employee identically (equality) or is it fair to treat each employee
according to his or her needs (equity)? In our society we argue both.
And of course we have ethical dilemmas, where the choice is not between
what we believe to be right and what we believe to be wrong, but
between competing rights. The classic case: “Is it ethical to steal a
loaf of bread to feed a starving child.” The answer, “It depends.” But
that is another article.
From Navron Associates
http://www.navran.com/article-values-morals-ethics.html
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