Ethics, Media, and Reasoning: Systems and Applications

Ethics Theories And Systems

Understanding the scope of ethics requires an examination of existing definitions pertaining to this topic. However, defining ethics is not an easy task, as various methods for explaining and outlining this term exist. Despite varying definitions, the genealogy of the term “ethics” is considered an accurate point of departure in this endeavor. According to Larry Leslie (2000), the word “ethics” hails from the Greek word “ethos”, which means “character”. These origins lead us to understand that one’s character, and the daily-life values attached to it, ultimately commands one’s ethical behavior. Thus, Leslie provides this concise definition: “Ethics are moral principles for living and making decisions” (2000, p. 16). Morality is closely linked to ethics. It is derived from the Latin “moralis,” meaning “customs and manners” (Leslie, 2000). While popular usage of ethics and morality can be synonymous, most philosophers deem them dissimilar. Ethics refers to the individual’s thinking and conduct in matters of right and wrong, while morality pertains to a society’s set of beliefs and customs concerning proper conduct (Markel, 2001). Successful ethical decision-making benefits from a set of moral beliefs that strives to serve both the individual and the society. Ethical behavior is defined as an accepted or preferred and agreed-upon practice (Hanson, 2002).

Philosophy is the scholarly discipline under which ethics falls, containing many approaches, subcategories, and perspectives (Eid, 2008). The dominant paradigm in ethics has traditionally been ethical rationalism: “through reason the human species is distinctive and through rationality moral canons are legitimate” (Christians, 2005, p. 3). Therefore, Christians (2005) explains, the conventions of particular societies are independent of timeless moral truths that are rooted in human nature; however, the concept of a common morality and the idea of “the good life” might not translate across all cultures. Despite the potential for varying views between cultures pertaining to what is ethical and what is not, ethical principles are ultimately based on what is deemed proper conduct, or “doing the right thing”. For instance, when we face a decision that requires us to enact an outcome that may or may not hurt another person, we turn to ethical principles to decide on the best option.