WHAT IS SOCIAL ETHICS? MAIN FEATURES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The social ethics is necessary for there to be a good coexistence in society. Its fundamental principle is "to respect the rights of others so that their own are respected".

Therefore, social ethics depends on the ability of individuals to understand that each action has consequences that affect what surrounds us.

Once that is understood, the human being will act thinking not only of himself, but also, he will think of others.

Social ethics is a highly complex subject, since it implies establishing what are the appropriate actions and behaviors that all people should have within a society.

It sees people as a whole and not individually, a situation that makes its definition and application complex, since each individual has a different way of thinking.

However, society has sought a way to solve these differences, so some specific behaviors were established in a general way that would make human coexistence easier.

These include respect for life, respect for institutions, respect for the rights of others, among others.

Characteristics of social ethics

Social ethics includes all the norms of behavior that human beings have to be able to live with others.

These standards also govern human behavior in relation to the environment and institutions. It seeks that the human being behaves in such a way that it benefits him and what surrounds him.

Consequently, it is said that social ethics reject any action that may be harmful. Consequently, these norms establish that relations in society must be voluntary and must generate a benefit for all those who participate in it.

For this reason, social ethics requires that each human being have a state of consciousness that allows him to identify what "is right" and what "is wrong."

You also need to have a sense of cooperation and participation, will and initiative. All in order that you can voluntarily do what others want and avoid what they do not want.

The family, society and the State in social ethics

According to what is established by Hegel, social ethics is made up of three parts: the family, society and the State.

The family

For its part, the family, because it is the first contact that human beings have with society and therefore with coexistence itself, is the one in charge of instilling the norms and values ​​that will allow their development within society.

It is up to the family that each human being acts in compliance with their duties and respecting the rights of others.

The society

Society is responsible for creating the norms and laws that support those norms. That is, it is the one that decides which behavior is accepted and which is not.

The state

The State is the one in charge of applying and enforcing the norms of behavior within society.

This imposes sanctions in case the acts violate the rights of others, or are harmful to society in general.

Characteristics of social ethics

Next, a series of characteristics of social ethics will be presented.

It governs the behavior of the human being

Social ethics contemplates the norms that must be followed so that human beings can have a peaceful coexistence.

Create universal principles

The rules that govern human behavior are the result of studies that determined what behaviors are beneficial for everyone and therefore can be applied in societies and maintained over time.

They are said to be universal because these principles are applied in all parts of the world without any distinction.

For example, in all parts of the world it is established that stealing violates the rights of people and is therefore considered a crime.

It is philosophical and abstract

Social ethics is said to be philosophical because it is based on the implementation of values ​​and the establishment of "acceptable behaviors."

It should be noted that "acceptable behaviors" are often controversial, since each person has a different way of thinking, so many times what someone considers acceptable is not for the other.

Does not accept coercion

Social ethics establishes that carrying out actions and establishing relationships must be voluntary, that is, no one should be forced to take part in or get out of something.

It is necessary for everyone to carry out their actions voluntarily.

Examples of norms that govern human behavior

Here are some examples of norms that influence social ethics.

-Respect and care for nature and animals.

-Be kind and generous with the people around us.

-Respect for the institutions.

-Respect the rights of other people.

-Be tolerant.

-Promote equality and inclusion.

-Respect the ideas and thoughts of others.

-Be honest.

-Avoid corruption.

-Respect the authorities.

-Do not steal.

-Don't murder.

-Fulfill the duties.

-Do not commit dishonest acts.

Recycling as an example of action that reflects social ethics

The act of recycling benefits the environment and also the person who does it, since it allows the reuse of a material and greatly reduces the waste produced by humans.

For example, with glass bottles you can make vases that serve as decoration in the house. Observing this way, the human being benefits, since it has a new object to decorate the home, and on the other hand it benefits the environment.

Another way to recycle glass bottles is to send them back to the companies and factories where they came from so that they can be used again so they don't have to produce new bottles.

References

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2. Social Ethics. Retrieved on December 8, 2017, from encyclopedia.com
3. Social Ethics. Retrieved on December 8, 2017, from esv.org
4. Social Ethics. Retrieved on December 8, 2017, from bibleodyssey.org
5. Social Ethics. Retrieved on December 08, 2017, from theologicalstudies.net
6. The role of Ethics. Retrieved on December 8, 2017, from fao.org
7. What are Social Ethics ?. Retrieved on December 8, 2017, from wisegeek.com