Guangco, Angel AB-BIO-3

ETHICS AND LAW

INTRODUCTION

There are times when Ethics and Law were mixed but there is definitely a difference
between them. Ethics is a system of values and principles within a certain society that guides an
individual on what should be done and what should not. (Surbhi, 2015) It is the an informal
guidelines for it was implemented by professional norms or individual (Ethics: a general
introduction, 2014), meaning it was an abstract in a sense that individuals follows it because it is
an ideal conduct compare to Law that is formally written and published. It is an ideal human
conduct as it guides every person’s behavior in living and doing morally good by applying the
set of moral standards but violating these moral standards has no punishment. For example, it is
ethical to greet teachers when they’re passing by but it has no punishment if students do not. On
the other hand, Law is a written system of rules and regulations that govern and guide the society
which is governed by the government (Law, 2019) and has a legal binding and violating it results
to a legal punishment compare to Ethics that do not have. Law is universally accepted and is
created to maintain the peace and order of a society and if human violates the law, he or she sure
is going to be punished by imprisonment or fines depending on the case. For example, it is in the
law to respect every human rights and a punishment will be done if a person do not abide to this
law such as Right to Life.

This paper will highlight a comparative study about Ethics and Law based on what I
learned, on my personal experiences and experiences of the people that surrounds me.
 RESEARCH TOPIC

The similarities and differences of Ethics and Law are quite complex and will matter on a
considerable agreement or disagreement. (Tagoe, 2002) While Ethics for my own understanding
is an informal set of standard guidelines or a system of moral principles and values in which
human acts were being determined as ultimately right or wrong, good or evil. If a human follow
with these standards, it is ethical action, if not, it’s unethical. On the other hand, Law is a written
set of rules and regulations which are imposed by lawmakers to govern the behavior of the whole
society and the actions of its individual members. Therefore, both Ethics and Law provide
guidelines to the people in a particular society of what those people should do or not should do in
a certain situations. (RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ETHICS AND LAWS, 2013) However, law
uses force if necessary and by the fact that it is backed with power, because those who
implements law has an authority. Laws are fair and moral we can’t easily accept that law can
ensure ethical behavior because for instance, there are situations in our life where by following
the law but does not make it ethical. For example, an old man who molested a child by touching
the child’s private parts and when the child’s mother found it out, she charged him as “child
abuse” or “sexual assault” and wanted the court to punish a death penalty for the said crime. It is
in the law to punish those who do not abide by the rules. Just like in India, it was confirmed to
punish death penalty for child rapist (Minj, 2018) however, it’s a the ethical principles of our
society strongly disagrees for death penalty because as a Christian, killing is against our ethical
and moral value, we most believe on the ten commandments of God which is, “Thou shall not
kill.” However, it is a very complicated matter. Not all laws have moral choice; ethical actions
do not involve the law. For example, it is ethical to love and respect your parents but there is no
law for it except if the parents mistreated their children. Hence, Law, represents the standard of
behavior that is expected from the people but by following the law does not make one ethical.
REFLECTION AND CONCLUSION
 SOURCES

Works Cited
Ethics: a general introduction. (2014). Retrieved from BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/intro_1.shtml

Law. (2019, May 2019). Retrieved from Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law

Minj, B. K. (2018). India Confirms Death Penalty for Child Rapists. New Delhi: UCA News.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ETHICS AND LAWS. (2013, March 1). Retrieved from
https://blog.nus.edu.sg/is1103g5/2013/03/01/relationship-between-ethics-and-laws/

Surbhi, S. (2015, December 24). Difference Between Law and Ethics. Retrieved from
https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-law-and-ethics.html

Tagoe, N. O. (2002). Relationship Between Ethics and Law. Retrieved from SCRIBD:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/97416444/Relationship-Between-Ethics-and-Law