by Dr. G. A. Anderson

Created on: May 23, 2009

Decisions of character or social behavior can be somewhat sloppily divided into two different categories. When we make decisions, especially those we deem important, we depend on both parts of our innermost predictors of behavior - morals and ethics. Each has its own characteristics and is put into play for different reasons, but they can also overlap. There is a fine line in some cases that is difficult to discern.

One way to identify the difference between morals and ethics is to use the title of this article. Decisions of character depend more upon our morals. Decisions of social behavior depend largely on ethics. Our morals are the beliefs we carry with us from our earliest behaviors, derived mainly from our families and the people and situations that we begin our lives with. They come from the set of core values instilled in our youth.

This does not mean that our morals are carved in stone and that they will never change. Our morals may have been sadly lacking as teenagers, but with the maturity of young adulthood and middle age, our morals may have improved and allowed us an "upgrade" in character. Decisions we make now are based on a set of core values and a belief system that is much more desirable than the morals that led us during our teenage years, when we were perhaps rebellious, self-interested, or felt badly about ourselves. If our self-esteem was low due to childhood abuse or neglect, it may have been that our morals suffered and we made bad choices. With maturity may come a change or a reversal of moral beliefs and ethical standards that help us lead a more satisfying life.

Using the title of the article again shows how ethical decisions are more a matter of social behavior. Reaching a new level of understanding about what is right and wrong in personal, academic, or work situations requires a set of ethical standards learned through experience. Ethical decisions are made throughout our lives, beginning at a young age. These are not always recognized as ethical decisions, but they are based on what appears to be right or wrong according to what is socially acceptable.

In a business environment, for example, a youthful employee has to make a decision that can have an effect on the entire company. It requires both moral and ethical considerations. He wants to attend the season opener of his hometown's baseball team. He intends to say he's sick to get out of work. Morally, the employee knows that telling a lie about why he will be absent from

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