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Distinguish between Law and Ethics. Do you agree to the view that ‘What is ethical is also legal’ and vice versa?.

Laws and ethics are guidelines and rules in society. Ethics originated from the society which leads to the development of laws.
Similarities 
These two terms are closely related because of the similarities which they share. These similarities include:
a. They are both an instrument of order in the society
b. They are both concerned with preventing immoral and unlawful acts in the society
c. They are both aimed at creating and having a better society
d. They both regulate the conduct and behavior of individuals in the society
e. Law and Ethics create guiding principles for trade groups such as social workers, doctors, lawyers, et cetera.
f. Both law and Ethics work hand in glove to establish a moral boundary for all people in the society
g. They both mediate our inter-personal relationship and transactions with others.

Differences 

 

Law

Ethics

Definition

Refers to a set of rules and regulation that govern behaviour in society and they enforced by authority

Refers to morals and principles that control the behaviour of individuals in society.

Codes

Individuals are required to obey them

Individuals are required to conform to them

Governed By

Government

Individual, Legal and Professional norms

Violation

Lead to penalties and punishment

No penalties and punishment

Type

Occur in a written document

Tend to be non-written

Makers

Lawyers and legislature

Religious leaders, philosophers, and elders

Application

Country, state and place of crime

Universal and can be applied anywhere

Objective

Maintain social order and peace in the society

Help people to choose what is right or wrong

Binding

legal binding

Do not have a binding thing

Characteristics

  • It is enforced.

  • It needs to be published.

  • It is consistent.

  •  It needs to be obeyed.

  •  It cannot be enforced.

  •  It need not be published.

  •  It may or may not be consistent.

  • It is not necessary to obey.

It is not necessary that ‘what is ethical is also legal’ and vice versa. It is ethical to not give capital punishment as it is against the Right to life but according to law it is correct (mainly for heinous crime) for maintenance of law and order in society. Similarly, the law often incorporates ethical standards to which most citizens subscribe. But laws can deviate from what is ethical. For example the laws made during Britishers were unethical in theme or the old apartheid laws of South Africa.







POSTED ON 25-08-2022 BY ADMIN
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