Formation of Youth
Unit-1
Introduction to Social Ethics
1. Introduction
From the beginning of civilization, human beings have learnt to live in groups since
they have been concerned about the way to live in society. All cultures have developed
behaviour patterns (or codes of conduct). Individuals and groups have been judged according
to these codes. Those who behave according to the accepted code of conduct are graded as
"good" and moral while those who violate these codes are regarded as "bad" people, and are
often punished by society. Ethics advocates that set of moral principles that guide a person's
behaviour. These morals are shaped by social standards, cultural practices, and religious
influences. Moral values that are inherent in society create a distinction between "right" and
"wrong". Every individual has a responsibility to act in a manner that is beneficial to society
and not solely to the individual. Ethics reflects beliefs in terms of human behaviour about:
what is right and what is wrong; what is just and what is unjust; and what is good and what is
bad. One basic consequence of the principle of ethics is that the good should be appreciated
and the evil should be avoided.
1.1 Social Ethics
Social ethics refers to the same ethics that is applicable in a community. Social ethics
are the philosophical or moral principles that, in one way or other, represent the collective
experience of people and cultures. The theory of social responsibility and ethics applies in both
individual and group capacities. It should be included in daily actions/ decisions, particularly
ones that will affect other persons and/or the environment.
, Thus, this sort of ethics often acts as a sort of "code of conduct" that governs what is
acceptable and what is not acceptable. It provides us with a framework for ensuring that all
members of the community are cared for. The social sphere includes all social organizations,
institutions and relationships like the family, the economic system, the political system, the
cultural expressions, the relationship between different nations, groups, etc. Social ethics is
assumed to be the judge on the conduct of human beings on specific common issues, and the
way social structures and institutions are governed to serve human beings in the right way.
1.2 Social Ethics and Social Responsibility
Social responsibility is an ethical theory, in which individuals are responsible for
fulfilling their civic duty; the actions of an individual must benefit the whole of society. In this
way, there must be a balance between economic growth and the welfare of society and the
environment. If this balance is maintained, then social responsibility is accomplished. The idea
of social responsibility is built on a system of ethics, in which decisions and actions must be
ethically approved before proceeding. If the action or decision causes harm to society or the
environment, then it would be considered to be socially irresponsible.
Social ethics play an important role in the areas given below:
1. It tries to understand the meaning of "right" and "duty" and reflects further on the real
expressions of these rights and duties by every person. This leads to an understanding of the
UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the constitutional provisions regarding the
rights and duties of each nation, the increasing consciousness of concerned citizens, and the
public consciousness, especially about those in power and authority.
2. It examines the various aspects of family life which is the basic structure of human society,
and social relationships. It studies the context of family, relationships, the role of every
member of the family and the role of the parents. It examines the right way of expressing and
experiencing sex.
3. Social ethics examines the ethical value of all the systems of the society (such as economic,
political) and proposes the right approach that will take into account the needs and interests
Unit-1
Introduction to Social Ethics
1. Introduction
From the beginning of civilization, human beings have learnt to live in groups since
they have been concerned about the way to live in society. All cultures have developed
behaviour patterns (or codes of conduct). Individuals and groups have been judged according
to these codes. Those who behave according to the accepted code of conduct are graded as
"good" and moral while those who violate these codes are regarded as "bad" people, and are
often punished by society. Ethics advocates that set of moral principles that guide a person's
behaviour. These morals are shaped by social standards, cultural practices, and religious
influences. Moral values that are inherent in society create a distinction between "right" and
"wrong". Every individual has a responsibility to act in a manner that is beneficial to society
and not solely to the individual. Ethics reflects beliefs in terms of human behaviour about:
what is right and what is wrong; what is just and what is unjust; and what is good and what is
bad. One basic consequence of the principle of ethics is that the good should be appreciated
and the evil should be avoided.
1.1 Social Ethics
Social ethics refers to the same ethics that is applicable in a community. Social ethics
are the philosophical or moral principles that, in one way or other, represent the collective
experience of people and cultures. The theory of social responsibility and ethics applies in both
individual and group capacities. It should be included in daily actions/ decisions, particularly
ones that will affect other persons and/or the environment.
, Thus, this sort of ethics often acts as a sort of "code of conduct" that governs what is
acceptable and what is not acceptable. It provides us with a framework for ensuring that all
members of the community are cared for. The social sphere includes all social organizations,
institutions and relationships like the family, the economic system, the political system, the
cultural expressions, the relationship between different nations, groups, etc. Social ethics is
assumed to be the judge on the conduct of human beings on specific common issues, and the
way social structures and institutions are governed to serve human beings in the right way.
1.2 Social Ethics and Social Responsibility
Social responsibility is an ethical theory, in which individuals are responsible for
fulfilling their civic duty; the actions of an individual must benefit the whole of society. In this
way, there must be a balance between economic growth and the welfare of society and the
environment. If this balance is maintained, then social responsibility is accomplished. The idea
of social responsibility is built on a system of ethics, in which decisions and actions must be
ethically approved before proceeding. If the action or decision causes harm to society or the
environment, then it would be considered to be socially irresponsible.
Social ethics play an important role in the areas given below:
1. It tries to understand the meaning of "right" and "duty" and reflects further on the real
expressions of these rights and duties by every person. This leads to an understanding of the
UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the constitutional provisions regarding the
rights and duties of each nation, the increasing consciousness of concerned citizens, and the
public consciousness, especially about those in power and authority.
2. It examines the various aspects of family life which is the basic structure of human society,
and social relationships. It studies the context of family, relationships, the role of every
member of the family and the role of the parents. It examines the right way of expressing and
experiencing sex.
3. Social ethics examines the ethical value of all the systems of the society (such as economic,
political) and proposes the right approach that will take into account the needs and interests
