Is there a difference between Ethics and Morality?

Ethics comes out of the Greek word ethos. Morality is derived from the Latin word mores. Both the languages refer to these words in context to behavior and character. Dictionary definition says, Ethics is the study of morality. But what is morality? 

Morality is the guiding principles a person lives by on an individual level, sort of a personal rule book to base life on. On a macro level, it can be defined as the collective conduct of a community in regulating itself to live in a systemic and harmonious way. Morality guides us in living life in a certain way which is non-harmful to our surroundings. And on a large scale, it tells people how to cohabit in this world (what we construct as society). 

The core of morality is preventing personal and social damage. Morality gives birth to a moral system, which auto-applies the rules of living harmoniously to all thinking beings who fabricate human society. All humans are part of a moral system by the very natural cause of being human. But who created morality in the first place?

With the establishment of a structured society, a framework of values seemed necessary in order to prevent the animalistic instincts of the animals-turning-humans. In crude words to civilize animals and bind them into directives so that they can co-exist peacefully. Morality is based on an individual's values. 

Value comes from the Latin word valere which means having or being of worth. Values are our strongest-passions, the most foundational bricks that we want to lay our morality on. 

The chain can be imagined like this: Values > Morals > Moral System > Ethics

For example: if one of my values is honesty, I would always operate from an honest [moral] standpoint, which would create a regimen of honesty in my life where all my actions are based on honesty, in turn making honesty the center of my being, where not only am I being honest but also urging others in my environment to be honest. I’d advocate for honesty which is what’d turn honesty into the ethics of my society – the modus operandi of an ecosystem I am a part of. 

In short, ethics is the socio-political system of individual morals. Morals can be different to each other but they are not private to an individual as they weave the political fabric of a social system. That is, morals decide how all the members in a society have to live with each other – what are the rules they have to follow in order to ensure everyone’s life is at ease and peace. 

Just like how our body needs basic necessities like food, water and shelter, similarly our society needs a set of rules to keep itself in good health. Now, the last part, who decides what moral principles one should abide by? Morals are determined by a collective social system which consists of ethicists and moralists in the good faith of entire humanity. 

These foundational sets of core universal moral principles that apply to all human beings across cultures, religions, socio-political and intellectual outlooks are called Ethics. And they support the spine of human society. Hence, ethics and morality are difference. Morality can be called the building block of Ethics!