ETHICS AND MORALITY- SOCIAL AND ISLAMIC- AN ASSIGNMENT

FAUJI FOUNDATION EDUCATION SYSTEM

TEACHER TRAINING SESSION (PHASE-II), 2024

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

TOPIC: Ethics & Morality

WRITTEN BY: Saima Nadeem

STATION: FFC

Teacher Training program, 2024

Topic: Ethics & Morality

Topic assigned by:

Master Trainer:

Submitted to:

Vice principal:

Principal:

FFC

PREFACE

Theory and Practice suggests that ethics is not merely a theoretical study, but also an application of moral principles at the practical level. A good introduction to a branch of philosophy not only surveys its major ideas and theories but also exemplifies philosophical inquiry into them. I have tried to do both. In doing so, I hope to draw the reader into inquiry of the kind where they can distinguish between ethics and morals keeping in mind the religious and social compression on anyone. A Philosophical inquiry requires Religious and Cultural Relativism & knowledge for argument and criticism. The reader needs to be aware that some of the arguments and criticism I make in the course of examining represents my own reflections somewhere.

Ethics is one of the main branches of philosophy. Its range, extending from fundamental questions about the nature of our humanity and freedom to very practical questions about the morality of a person.

In my assignment, readers will know that the study of ethics & morality ought not to be separated from that of human social life. Ethical ideas should not be reduced to a mere ideology or a philosopher’s fantasy, which isolates ethics from the world of experience. The purpose and goal of my assignment is to apply ethical principles and moral standards to practical life and examine how they work in social and professional life. Hence, I completely disagree with the idea of those thinkers who maintain that ethics is purely a theoretical study and it serves no purpose in practical experiences.

Contents

CH 1

Understanding Ethics & Morality

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Ethics

1.3 Morals

1.4 Real Life Examples of Morality vs Ethics

1.5 A Comparison chart

Islamic Ethics and Morals

1.6 Morality and Ethics in Islam

1.7 The Importance of Morality and Ethics

Religious and Cultural Relativism

1.8 What is relativism?

1.9 Professional Ethics

1.10 Social Ethics

CH 2

The "Gray" of Ethics and Morality

2.1 Cost of morals integrity

2.2 Ethical Dilemmas

2.3 Factors influence the morality of a society

Code of Ethics

2.4 Need of code of ethics

2.5 Can a person be moral but not ethical?

2.6 The effects of a decline in moral values

CH 3

Steps towards creating a better Ethical society

3.1 Moral Development

3.2 Ethical development through Islam

3.3 Ethical Leadership

3.4 Cultivating Ethical Awareness and Responsibility

Conclusion

References

CH 1

Understanding ETHICS & Morality

1.1 Introduction

Ethics and morals relate to “right” and “wrong” conduct. While they are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are different:

1.2 Ethics:

Ethics refer to rules provided by an external source, e.g., codes of conduct in workplaces or principles in religions. Ethics involves the study of what is morally right or wrong, good or bad, in a particular context. Ethics are very consistent within a certain context, but can vary greatly between contexts.

Ethics is what guides us to tell the truth, keep our promises, or help someone in need. There is a framework of ethics underlying our lives on a daily basis, helping us make decisions that create positive impacts and steering us away from unjust outcomes.

Ethics, for example, refers to those standards that impose the reasonable obligations to refrain from, stealing, murder, assault, slander, and fraud

1.3 Morals:

Morals refer to an individual’s own principles regarding right and wrong. An individual’s moral code is usually unchanging and consistent across all contexts, but it is also possible for certain events to radically change an individual's personal beliefs and values.

Morality is a set of values, beliefs, and principles that guide an individual's behaviour and decisions. It is a code of conduct that is commonly accepted in a particular society or culture. It refers to the distinction between right and wrong and is usually based on an individual's personal beliefs and values.

Examples of moral values include honesty, empathy, respect, compassion, and integrity. These values guide individuals in their decision-making processes, helping them to discern right from wrong, treat others with kindness, and uphold ethical principles in their actions.

1.4 Real Life Examples of Morality vs Ethics

One professional example of ethics conflicting with morals is the work of a defence attorney. A lawyer’s morals may tell her that murder is reprehensible and that murderers should be punished, but her ethics as a professional lawyer, require her to defend her client to the best of her abilities, even if she knows that the client is guilty.

Another example can be found in the medical field. In most parts of the world, a doctor may not unnecessarily operate a patient, even at the patient's request, as per ethical standards for health professionals. However, the same doctor may personally believe in a patient's right to decide, as per the doctor's own morality.

1.5 A Comparison chart

Islamic Ethics & Morals

1.6 Morality and Ethics in Islam

Islamic ethics (أخلاق إسلامية) is the "philosophical reflection upon moral conduct" with a view to defining "good character" and attaining the "pleasure of God" (raza-e Ilahi). It is distinguished from "Islamic morality", which pertains to "specific norms or codes of behaviour". They include kindness (to people and animals), charity, forgiveness, honesty, patience, justice, respecting parents and elders, keeping promises, and controlling one's anger, love of God and those God loves, love of his messenger (Muhammad) and of believers. A Muslim is expected to not only be virtuous, but to also enjoin virtue. He/she must not only refrain from evil and vice, but must also actively engage in asking people to eschew them. In other words, they must not only be morally healthy, but must also contribute to the moral health of society as a whole

1.7 The Importance of Morality and Ethics

Morality and ethics help in maintaining harmony and order in society.

They provide a framework for individuals to make ethical decisions in various situations.

Upholding moral and ethical values contributes to building trust and respect among individuals and communities. Morals are a benchmark for individual moral and ethical behaviour in interacting with other people in society. In the context of social life, good morals can affect relationships between individuals, strengthen social values, and form a harmonious society. They help individuals understand their place in the world and their responsibility towards society. This integration is essential for creating individuals who are well-rounded, empathetic, and responsible members of society. Living a life guided by ethical and human values requires intentional effort and practice. Ethics play a crucial role in shaping the way people interact with each other and the world around them.

Religious and Cultural Relativism

1.8 What is relativism?

It is the doctrine that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute. Cultural relativism argues that moral values are relative to the culture in which they are practiced.

It recognizes that different religions and cultures may have diverse moral codes and standards.

However, cultural relativism also raises questions about the universality of moral principles. Religious and Cultural relativism suggests that ethics, morals, values, norms, beliefs, and behaviours must be understood within the context of the culture from which they arise. It means that all cultures have their own beliefs and that there is no universal or absolute standard to judge those cultural norms. For example, Alcohol consumption is an example of cultural relativism. It is shunned in some cultures, but they do not mind people of another culture taking it.

Islam as a comprehensive way of life encompasses a complete moral system that is an important aspect of its world-view. We live in an age where good and evil are often looked at as relative concepts. Islam however, holds that moral positions are not relative, and instead, defines a universal standard by which actions may be deemed moral or immoral.

Islam’s moral system is striking in that it not only defines morality, but also guides the human race in how to achieve it, at both an individual as well as a collective level.

1.9 Professional Ethics

Professional ethics outline the moral principles and values that guide behaviour in specific professions. Professional ethics are principles that govern the behaviour of a person or group in a business environment. Like values, professional ethics provide rules on how a person should act towards other people and institutions in such an environment. A few professional behaviour are

· Integrity.

· Objectivity.

· Professional Competence and Due Care.

· Confidentiality.

· Professional Behaviour.

To summaries, professional ethics is a crucial component of the life of a working professional. It fosters confidence and credibility, fosters honesty, promotes professionalism, fosters personal and professional development, and assures compliance with laws and regulations.

1.10 Social Ethics

Social ethics in society help people interact and live together in the world on a day to day basis. An example of social ethics is to obey the law. Communities often have a neighbourhood watch system to hold their societal group to an ethical standard.

Social ethics leads us to organize our interests, in view of their meaning and their consequence, so to decide what we want most. But "what we want most" includes not only individual interests but group interests.

A typical list of the kinds of issues addressed under the rubric of social ethics includes the fair distribution of economic goods, research on human subjects, animal rights, avoid gender or race discrimination, do care of data privacy etc.

CH 2

The "Gray" of Ethics and Morality

2.1 Cost of Moral integrity

A person strictly following Ethical Principles may not have any Morals at all. For example shooting the birds for pleasure is immoral but people following ethics does it? Morally gray characters follow their ambition rather than those of the greater good or evil.

Likewise, one could violate Ethical Principles within a given system of rules in order to maintain Moral integrity. A person can breach a set rule of society if it judges it right or wrong by its own perspective. A Moral Person although perhaps bound by a higher covenant, may choose to follow a code of ethics as it would apply to a system. "Make it fit".

2.2 Ethical Dilemmas

An ethical dilemma (ethical paradox or moral dilemma) is a problem in the decision-making process between two possible options, neither of which is absolutely acceptable from an ethical perspective.

Ethical dilemmas are situations in which individuals face conflicting moral obligations. Ethical dilemmas occur when one simply cannot perform all of the relevant prima duties; to perform one duty would require violation of another. One may have to choose between two incompatible but ordinarily appealing options or between two incompatible and ordinarily unappealing options. He was faced with the dilemma of whether or not to return to his country after he finished his scholarship owned degree. A situation whether to lie to protect someone's job or tell the truth, and choosing between saving one person's life or saving multiple lives.

Resolving ethical dilemmas often involves weighing the consequences of different courses of action. An ethical dilemma (ethical paradox or moral dilemma) is a problem in the decision-making process between two possible options, neither of which is absolutely acceptable from an ethical perspective.

2.3 Factors influence the morality of a society?

Here contemporary ethical issues include climate change, social injustice, poverty, breaching data privacy etc. Addressing ethical challenges requires critical thinking, empathy, and a commitment to ethical principles.

Factors like gender, age, and culture are more significant in guiding our morality than we realize. Studies have found that people's moral judgments from Western cultures tended to be more open and arguable than those from Eastern cultures.

Several forces drive our morality, including evolution, intellectual reasoning, emotion, and socio-cultural factors. While evolution takes centuries to take effect, other factors, like intellectual reasoning, can cause moral change within a generation or Evolution, emotions, reason, and affluence are examples of what drives moral change.

Code of Ethics

2.4 Need of code of ethics

We see false news, sexual harassment, data privacy, nepotism, discrimination—these are just some of the ethical dilemmas that happen in today's workplace. Many business owners and managers are dealing with ethical issues at some point in their career. For this reason, it’s crucial for every business, every institute or even a house—no matter the size—to create some code of ethics. Not only will it establish a foundation of trust between residents, employees, customers, investors, etc., but it will help ensure your business is operating within the law. Codes of ethics provide guidelines for professionals to uphold integrity, honesty, and accountability in their work.

Adhering to professional ethics is crucial for maintaining trust between professionals and clients or stakeholders.

Ethical decision-making frameworks can help individuals navigate complex ethical dilemmas.

2.5 Can a person be moral but not ethical?

Yes, a person can be moral and not ethical because what they might find to be morally correct might not be morally correct in the eyes of the ethical code. For example, a doctor might operate on a person in pain during an emergency without having them clear their past dues.

. Ethical standards also include those that enjoin virtues of honesty, compassion, and loyalty.

2.6 The effects of a decline in moral values

The effects of a decline in moral values society include undesirable aspects and a lack of peace and harmony. The effects of a decline in moral values on society include a decrease in trust, an increase in crime and unethical behavior, and a breakdown of social cohesion.

Lack of morals and ethics has resulted in individuals being selfish, greedy and corrupt. On the other hand, lack of respect, civility, proper etiquette and a manner have made it difficult for many young people to maintain healthy relationships and interactions with others.

The consequences of lack of values led to difficulty in making decisions as Core values provide a framework for making decisions and help you determine what is most important to you. Without them, it can be challenging to know what to prioritize and make choices that align with your personal values and beliefs. Reduced motivation and satisfaction.

CH 3

Steps towards creating a better ethical society

3.1 Moral Development

Moral development refers to the process through which individuals acquire moral values and beliefs. Moral development is what each person goes through as they grow and develop. The moral development definition refers to the ways people choose between right and wrong as they mature. Morals are influenced by social and cultural norms, as well as established laws. Kohlberg identified three levels of moral reasoning: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional.

The stages of moral development, as proposed by psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, include preconventional, conventional, and postconventional stages.

Moral education and socialization play a significant role in shaping individuals' moral reasoning and behaviour.

3.2 Ethical development through Islam

Ethical development can be done through teachings of Islam.

Many virtues/good character traits/moral qualities such as kindness (to people and animals), charity, forgiveness, honesty, patience, justice, respecting parents and elders, keeping promises, and controlling one's anger, are commanded or encouraged in verses in the Quran and hadith.

Allah says:

وَقَضٰى رَبُّكَ اَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوۡۤا اِلَّاۤ اِيَّاهُ وَبِالۡوَالِدَيۡنِ اِحۡسَانًا ؕ اِمَّا يَـبۡلُغَنَّ عِنۡدَكَ الۡكِبَرَ اَحَدُهُمَاۤ اَوۡ كِلٰهُمَا فَلَا تَقُلْ لَّهُمَاۤ اُفٍّ وَّلَا تَنۡهَرۡهُمَا وَقُلْ لَّهُمَا قَوۡلًا كَرِيۡمًا‏ 

(17:23) Your Lord has decreed:25 (i) Do not worship any but Him;26 (ii) Be good to your parents; and should both or any one of them attain old age with you, do not say to them even "fie" neither chide them, but speak to them with respect,

3.3 Ethical Leadership

Ethical leadership involves demonstrating integrity, transparency, and fairness in decision-making.

Ethical leaders prioritize the well-being of their followers and consider the ethical implications of their actions.

By setting a positive example, ethical leaders inspire trust and foster a culture of ethical behaviour within organizations.

Islamic leadership is based on trust, accountability, and following the example of Prophet Muhammad. An effective leader in Islam must be virtuous, consult with followers, and make decisions that benefit humanity and are pleasing to God.

To summarize the ethical and moral system in Islam, one should note that whatever brings welfare to individuals, masses or the society, is morally good in Islam. On the other hand, whatever is injurious is morally not good.

3.4 Cultivating Ethical Awareness and Responsibility

Ultimately, the interplay of morality and ethics requires ongoing individual and societal reflection.

Fostering ethical awareness, promoting ethical education, and encouraging personal and collective responsibility are essential for navigating the complexities of moral and ethical decision-making.

Understanding where our morals come from and how they change can provide valuable insights into the nature of our species and our morals and what factors we would like to govern them.

Engaging in ethical discourse and promoting ethical awareness can lead to positive societal change.

Conclusion

Morality and Ethics are essential for guiding individuals and society towards ethical behaviour and decision-making.

Understanding different ethical theories and perspectives can help in navigating complex moral dilemmas.

By upholding moral and ethical values, individuals contribute to creating a more just, compassionate, and ethical world.