Discuss the differences between Morals, Ethics and Legalities. Can something be

Question

Discuss the differences between Morals, Ethics and Legalities. Can something be morally right but ethically and legally wrong?

Use the following to set the foundation of your response:

You work for a local convenience store. At the end of 2nd shift, 11PM, any foods in the heated kiosk are to be discarded. Money is tight since your hours have been reduced. You decide to take the leftover food home.

Is the decision moral?

Is the decision ethical?

Is the decision legal? If it is illegal, could civil and/or criminal charges be pursued?

What if you donate it to the local homeless shelter?

What if you discard it to the trash then remove it and take it home or to the shelter?

Explanation / Answer

Answer:

Differences between Morals, Ethics and Legalities:

Morals: Moral is defined as the principle or beliefs which states the right or wrong behavior on a very high level view/perception. Moral responsibilities means general responsibilities a person owns or people think that these are the moral responsibilities of the concern authority/officials.

Ethics: Ethics are defined as the good code of conducts which a person is expected to perform in the society. Ethics are the ethical behavior of human being in the society. Ethics differentiates the good or bad behavior of human beings in the society.

Legalities: Legalities is defined as the legally accepted code of conducts, a people in the society are expected to perform. A set of code of conducts released by legal department to ensure that good ethical and moral code of conduct is established in the society. Legal codes of conducts are forceful and needs to be maintained by citizen in the nation and if not then legal actions can be initiated.  

Yes, something can be morally right but ethically and legally wrong, because moral is very high level view /perception, but ethical and legally are practical approaches, and some time high level views are correct but may face practical and legal implications.

Example:

We work for a local convenience store. At the end of 2nd shift, 11PM, any foods in the heated kiosk are to be discarded. Money is tight since our hours have been reduced. We have decided to take the leftover food home.

Is the decision moral – Yes the decision is moral, because if the food is to be discarded, it is better to give the food to the hungry people. Food consumed by hungry people is better than fod discarded as waste.

Is the decision ethical – No, the decision is not ethical because, taking the food at home without permission is an unethical act. We need to seek appropriate permission for the same.

Is the decision legal – No, the decision is not legal, because taking food at home without permission is not legal. Yes civil and/or criminal charges be pursued if the food is taken by the employee to home without proper permission from the concern authorities.

If we donate it to the local homeless shelter, this can be considered as ethical and legally acceptable, because this does not contain any personal interest in this transaction.

Discard it to the trash then remove it and take it home or to the shelter –This comes under the category of trash removal and trash management activities. This again does not falls under ethical and legal category, unless we have proper authorization from the concern authority for the same.

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