Kinner.Victoria.LDR800.Lawsmoralsethicreligiousbeliefs
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Laws, Morals, Ethics, and Religious Beliefs
Victoria Kinner College of Doctoral Studies, Grand Canyon University LDR800: Ethical Dilemmas and Stewardship
Dr. Waltemeyer
7/19/2023
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Laws, Morals, Ethics, and Religious Beliefs
Laws, Morals, Ethics, and Religious Beliefs can have a large influence on a person’s behavior and how they interact with others daily. These four external forces are responsible for guiding an individual in how they conduct and present themselves in society. If these external sources were not present, individuals could act in any way without consequences for their actions
(
Van Broekhoven, 2017). Laws, morals, ethics, and religious beliefs serve as guidelines that help
govern human conduct in matters of right and wrong (Ellemers et al., 2019). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the parallels and differences between morals, laws, religious beliefs and ethics
and the effects on human behavior. An overview of how laws, morals, ethics, and religious beliefs all work in synchronicity on influencing an individual’s behavior and how individuals adapt and acknowledge the concept of right and wrong. Similarities between Laws, Morals, Ethics, and Religious Beliefs
Laws, morals, ethics, and religious beliefs share similar characteristics. One of the similarities includes that each of these factors governs an individual’s actions or behaviors towards a particular situation. Laws are intended to regulate the actions of members of a particular community (
Van Broekhoven, 2017), and consequences are in place if the individuals fail to uphold the law and observe the governing system that is set to ensure that laws are not broken. Laws are comprised of concrete duties established by governments that are necessary for
maintaining social order and resolving disputes (Horner, 2003). Morals and ethics are both similar in that they govern people’s behavior in determining what is right and wrong, good, or bad. Morals are an individuals’ principles of right and wrong, and a system of ethics deals with sets of those principles (Kaszniak et al., 2018). Breaking down ethics and morals we see that e
thics are the principles that drive a person’s behavior, while morals then become the set of
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values upheld by individuals and constitute what an individual differentiates as right and wrong. Religious beliefs along with ethics and morals are another set of individual beliefs that play a role in how an individual behaves. For many individuals, their religious views and beliefs are one in the same with their morals, for many religious people, morality and religion are the same or inseparable, for them either morality is part of religion, or their religion is their morality (Iwuagwu, 2018). Similarities amongst these four factors not only include establishing how an individual behaves, but also how people uphold morally appropriate lives. For example, laws are in existence to ensure that there is order in society. Laws are in place to ensure individuals can coexist peacefully and consequences are in place if this is unable to happen. Morals define how individuals conduct themselves in society, and therefore ensure people uphold a standard of morals. When they strive to live morally and ethically, individuals will be respectful, honest, and
fair and will strive to uphold the laws in place (Kaszniak et al., 2018). Religious beliefs are set in
place to ensure individuals follow and observe the standards of their respective religion and beliefs. Despite these factors having similarities, the relationship between these factors is complex and there are differences present between these factors. Differences between Laws, Morals, Ethics, and Religious Beliefs
The relationship between laws, morals, ethics, and religious beliefs is complex. Although
these forces do have similarities, they do have differences. Laws are set in place to control an individual’s behavior within our society. Laws unlike morals, ethics, and religious beliefs are obligatory and must be followed. Failure to adhere to this leads to negative consequences. Laws unlike morals, ethics, and religious beliefs are also determined by the government or state and not by an individual themselves (
Van Broekhoven, 2017).
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Morals, ethics, and religious beliefs are factors that are influenced by an individual. These factors can evolve over time, change, and adapt as the person grows, and are not set standards unlike laws. Laws evolve from a set of regulations and rules, while ethics, morals, and religious beliefs are compromised by principles and guidelines that are directed by an individual and direct how they should behave in a variety of situations in their lives (
Van Broekhoven, 2017). Laws are different from ethics, morals, and religious beliefs in that a law is found in a written form called the constitution while ethics, morals, and religious beliefs are not expressed in a written form (
Van Broekhoven, 2017). Behavioral Influence of Individuals
Individuals are impacted in multiple ways by morals, ethics, laws, and their religious beliefs. Each one of these forces can play a role in how an individual behaves in a variety of situations. Laws are a system of rules and regulations that an individual must comply with and obey to avoid punishment. If an individual does not respect the law, they may behave in a way that goes against the rules and regulations set in place, causing ongoing punishments. Moral principles indicate what is a “good,” “virtuous,” “just,” “right,” or “ethical” way for humans to behave (Iwuagwu, 2018
). Adhering to moral rules and behaviors ensures a person acts fairly and prevents them from lying, cheating, stealing from others, or breaking laws (Ellemers, et al., 2019). Following ethical guidelines and principles helps an individual stay on a path of conducting themselves appropriately as human beings. Lastly, religious beliefs can influence a person’s behavior dependent on their views on spirituality. Just like morals, religion can assist individuals in promoting their values and both help engage individuals in meaningful and
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purposeful behavior allowing for positive character formation and helps to achieve peace and balance in co-existing with others (Iwuagwu, 2018
). Personal Behavioral Influence
Each of these forces plays a role in my own personal behaviors. First off, I observe laws as they are written. I work on respecting the laws that are in place to continue to ensure my freedom and the rights of others. Ethics and morality for me are similar and interchangeable. The
idea of ethics comes from the concept of morality. Ethics provide me with principles and standards to guide me in conducting myself in an appropriate manner, while my morals drive my
behavior and ensure I behave in an appropriate way. Lastly, my religious beliefs can be a guide for promoting more positive behavior on a spiritual level. All these four factors work on one another, all of them need to be in place to ensure appropriate behaviors not only for myself but anyone involved in society (Ellemers et al., 2019). Conclusion
Laws, Morals, Ethics, and Religious Beliefs can have a large influence on a person’s behavior and how they interact with others daily. Laws are comprised of concrete duties established by governments that are necessary for maintaining social order and resolving disputes (Horner, 2003). Individuals must ensure they behave accordingly and follow laws to avoid consequences and punishment. Morals reflect an individual’s concept of right and wrong and drive an individual’s behavior of what is right or wrong and good or bad. Ethics, which at times is used interchangeably with morals, refers to the principles that drive a person’s behavior. Religious beliefs are a structure of worship and faith that an individual follows dependent on their religion or spiritual influences (
Iwuagwu, 2018).
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These four factors all work together in influencing an individual’s behavior. Each of these factors has a different role in determining the influence on behavior, however the primary
focus of laws, morals, ethics, and religious beliefs is to shape and influence the behavior of individuals so they can behave appropriately to co-exist in society with others.
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References
Ellemers, N., Van Der Toorn, J., Paunov, Y., & Van Leeuwen, T. (2019). The Psychology of Morality: A review and analysis of empirical studies published from 1940 Through 2017.
Personality and Social Psychology Review, 23(4), 332–366. Horner J. (2003). Morality, ethics, and law: introductory concepts.
Seminars in speech and language
,
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(4), 263–274. Iwuagwu, E. (2018). The relationship between religion and morality: On whether the multiplicity
of religious denominations have impacted positively on socio-ethical behavior. 6. 42-53 Kaszniak, A., Rushton, C., & Halifax, J. (2018).
Leadership, morality and ethics: developing a practical model for moral decision-making
. MindRxiv. 10.31231/osf.io/8qby6 Van Broekhoven, H. R.,A. (2017). MORALITY AND LAW IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY: A PLACE FOR NATURAL LAW THEORY?
Frontiers of Law in China,
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