Ethics and Morals
The words “ethics” and “morals” are very similar in their nature. They are sometimes used interchangeably. When one hears these words they might think of rules or principles that give life a generally favorable and “right” balance. One might think of someone whom they look up to when they hear the word “morals” because they consider that person to be respectable and trustworthy. The words “ethics” and “morals” encompass all of these things. However, they are indeed two different words with two different, yet similar, meanings.
We will begin with “ethics”. When you begin a new job you may receive a standard operating procedure or manual which explains the employer’s policy and expectations, as well as your duties and what you may expect of the employer. More often than not there is a disciplinary policy included in the manual stating the employer’s rules and the consequences for failure to adhere to said rules. This manual is an example of “ethics”. It is a compilation of rules, expectations, principles, and consequences that uphold the company’s or employer’s “morals”, which brings us to that word—“morals”.
The word “morals” is the more personal of the two. It is up to the individual to define his or her own morals. What is right or wrong? What is considered acceptable in one’s own mind and heart? Would taking a certain action go against what is right in one’s opinion? When one answers questions such as these for themselves they are defining their morals.
In the field of IT ethics and morals are hugely important. Information and resources are at the disposal of the IT operator that could be private, personal, or secure. It is at the discretion of the IT operator how they will utilize the information that the resources provide.
In conclusion, it could be said that one must have morals to have ethics. Once the morals are defined then the individual must create his or her ethics to uphold those morals.