Morals and ethics are two closely related terms that are often used interchangeably. However, there is a subtle difference between the two.

• Morals are personal beliefs about right and wrong. They are based on our upbringing, our religious or cultural background, and our own experiences.
• Ethics are the principles of right and wrong that are accepted by a society or group. They are often codified in laws or professional codes of conduct.

In other words, morals are about what we believe is right and wrong, while ethics are about what society or a group believes is right and wrong.

Here are some examples of the difference between morals and ethics:

• A person might believe that it is morally wrong to steal, even if it is legal. This is because their personal moral code prohibits stealing.
• A society might have an ethical code that prohibits corruption, even if it is not illegal. This is because the society believes that corruption is wrong, regardless of whether it is legal.

Examples of public administrators acting ethically but not morally

• A public administrator might approve a permit for a new development that they know will harm the environment. This is because they believe that it is their job to approve permits, regardless of the environmental impact. However, their personal moral code might tell them that they should not approve the permit.
• A public administrator might lie to the public about the safety of a new product. This is because they believe that it is their job to protect the public, even if it means lying. However, their personal moral code might tell them that they should not lie.

In these cases, the public administrator is acting ethically because they are following the rules and regulations of their profession. However, they are not acting morally because they are going against their own personal beliefs.

Examples of public administrators acting morally but not ethically

• A public administrator might refuse to approve a permit for a new development because they believe that it will harm the environment. This is because they are acting on their personal moral code, even though it means going against the rules and regulations of their profession.
• A public administrator might reveal confidential information to the public because they believe that it is the right thing to do. This is because they are acting on their personal moral code, even though it means breaking the law.

In these cases, the public administrator is acting morally because they are following their own personal beliefs. However, they are not acting ethically because they are breaking the rules and regulations of their profession.

Examples of public administrators acting ethically and morally

• A public administrator might approve a permit for a new development, but only after carefully considering the environmental impact. This is because they are acting ethically by following the rules and regulations of their profession, and they are also acting morally by considering the impact on the environment.
• A public administrator might reveal confidential information to the public, but only after getting permission from the appropriate authorities. This is because they are acting ethically by following the rules and regulations of their profession, and they are also acting morally by doing what they believe is the right thing to do.

In these cases, the public administrator is acting ethically and morally because they are following the rules and regulations of their profession, and they are also acting on their own personal beliefs.

How the situation might have turned out differently if the individual has acted differently

In the first two examples, if the public administrator had acted differently, the situation might have turned out differently. For example, if the public administrator had approved the permit for the new development in the first example, the environment might have been harmed. And if the public administrator had lied to the public about the safety of the new product in the second example, people might have been injured or killed.

In the third example, if the public administrator had not approved the permit for the new development, the environment might not have been harmed. And if the public administrator had not revealed the confidential information to the public, the public might not have been aware of the potential dangers.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to act ethically or morally is a complex one. There is no easy answer, and each situation must be judged on its own merits. However, it is important to be aware of the difference between ethics and morals, and to make decisions that are consistent with your own values.