Ethics and morality are often viewed as being one and the same. Our first task is to differntiate the difference between the two.
Ethics comes from the greek word ta ethika which means having to do with good character.
Morality comes from the Latin word moralitas which means having to do with customs and habits.
Ethics is the driving force behind morality. Ethics sets the guidelines while morality fuels the our actions towards the good. For example, when we drive a car we must follow certain laws. These laws (Ethics) guide our driving habits. (Morality) We adjust our driving habits based on the road conditions (Experiences). If it rains or snows we adjust our speed so that we safely arrive at our destination.
To summarize; Ethics explores the nature of the good while morality can be viewed as our "good" actions. The course will start by exploring the search for the inifinite good and how we translate this search into actions.
Ask yourself constantly, "What is the right thing to do?"
Confucius
The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.
Confucius
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I agree with your post, BUT I do not agree with Confucious' second quote. What does good thinking accomplish without action? If every man meditated on good thoughts, all we'd have are a bunch of good-thinkers who sit around and do nothing to better the world. One must not only think good thoughts but also put them into action. Only then can the world be made into a better place. :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm in your third period religion class!
But what is a plan that is not well thought through? If everyone just acted on a whim, at what they thought was a good deed, we would certainly have disaster. So, I think there should be a balance of both thinking, and acting on a fair level.
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