What's the difference between "ethical" and "moral"? [I Ask Questions]

I have often wondered about the distinction between the two, also. Even after reading about the difference explained by those with advanced degrees, I've still thought the difference in meaning of the words is a little murky.

Long ago, my personal ethics told me it was wrong for [i]me[/i] to eat other animals when I don't need to. Yet, I don't consider others [i]im[/i]moral simply because they do.

“Ethics” leans towards decisions based upon individual character, and the more subjective understanding of right and wrong by individuals – whereas “morals” emphasises the widely-shared communal or societal norms about right and wrong.

Ethics are a well understood defined set of behavior patterns that include even the appearance of evil.

Morals are a self adopted set of behavioral guidelines frequently influenced by religous guidance.

Might ethics be the science of morality? My personal compass of the later is definitely not a guide to be trusted. Get a map.

Morals are decided by society and culture. But you can choose your ethics.

I mostly here the word "ethics" in the work place...there does seem to be a thin line.🧐

Ethics are often applied to a more narrow set of circumstances and change from one body of people to the next while morality is more objective. Take criminal defence lawyers: a lot of what they do is ethically essential but profoundly immoral!

perhaps ethics pertain to our relationship with mankind
and morals pertain to our relationship to God

Not all schools of thought do make a distinction. Those that do tend to group morals as more personal and as general guiding principles while ethics would be more rule and/or action based.

Morals guid ethics.

Example:

It is morally wrong to exploit a vulnerable person in a noment of weakness. Buisiness ethics therefore suggests it is unethical to target loans to those in need without thw ability to pay them back amd have their property siezed.