Foundations of ethics

What ethics is, how it differs from morals and law, where values come from, and ethics in public life.

3 of 3 foundations of ethics

What is ethics?

Foundations

Meaning, nature, scope and approaches

Ethics is the branch of knowledge that studies what is right and wrong, good and bad in human conduct, and the principles that should guide how people behave towards themselves, others and society.

Word origin: Greek 'ethos' (character, custom); Latin equivalent 'mores' gives 'morals'
Branches: Meta-ethics, normative ethics, applied ethics
In Islam: Akhlaq

Sources of ethics and values

Foundations

Where our sense of right and wrong comes from

People learn their values from many sources: religion, family, culture and traditions, education, law, philosophy and reason, role models, and their own conscience.

Main sources: Religion, family, culture, education, law, reason, conscience, role models

Ethics in public administration

Foundations

Why public servants are held to higher standards

Public servants hold power and public money in trust for citizens, so honesty, fairness, accountability and transparency are essential to good governance.

Conduct rules: Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964
Key ideas: Public trust, accountability, transparency, rule of law
International benchmark: UK's Seven Principles of Public Life (Nolan, 1995)