We are always ordered to be ethical. What does ethics really mean? What is the meaning? Ok, in this article we will discuss the understanding of ethics, its characteristics, and the type of ethics itself.
Ethics Is a norm or rule that applies in society which becomes the benchmark and guidelines for behavior in society and this is related to the good and bad of a person’s character.
There are also those who say that the notion of ethics is the science of decency and human interaction in society and is concerned with correct principles and attitudes in life. We can conclude that ethics is a person’s moral or responsibility to behave well in society.
The origin of the word ethics is from ancient Greek, in Greek it is called “Etikhos” which means arising from a habit. So, based on this ethics has its own point of view where the object in view is the act of man / man himself.
Definition of Ethics According to Experts
To further understand about ethics, let’s look at the views of experts on the notion of Ethics.
1. Soergarda Poerbakawatja
Soergarda Poerbakawatja said that understanding ethics is a science that provides references, directions, guidelines for human actions.
Also read: Ethical Politics, Perversion and Criticism
2. H. A. Mustafa
He said that ethics is the science that investigates good and evil behavior by paying attention to human behavior as far as what the mind thinks.
3. DR. James J. Spillane SJ
DR. James J. Spillane SJ said that the definition of ethics is a concern for human behavior in making decisions related to morals or morals. Ethics according to him refers more to a person’s intellect which causes him to be considered wrong or not.
Also read: Ethical Politics, Perversion and Criticism
4. K. Bertens
K. Bertens said that the notion of ethics is the values and norms that apply to a person or group and become a reference in behavior.
5. Drs. H. Burhanudin Greetings
Drs. H. Burhanudin Salam emphasized that the definition of ethics is a branch of philosophy which describes the norms and values that determine human behavior in life.
6. W. J. S. Poerwadarminto
The definition of ethics according to W. J. S. Poerwadarminto is a science that explains human behavior and is seen from the good and bad sides of the extent to which it can be determined by humans.
Ethical Characteristics
After we learn about the notion of ethics, now we learn further about the characteristics of ethics so that we can easily understand whether someone is ethical or not. Following are the characteristics and characteristics of ethics so that later it will appear different from other norms.
- Ethics still apply even if not in front of other people (no one is watching)
- Ethics is normal which is absolute or absolute
- In ethics, there is a way of looking through the inner side
- Relating to human actions and behavior
So, now we understand how the essence of ethics is, and how it is different from other normal.
Types of Ethics
Some of the types of ethics that we must understand are as follows:
1. Philosophical ethics
This is ethics that arises from human thinking activities, or it is also called part of philosophy. If we have talked about philosophy, we need to know what the nature of philosophical ethics is.
– Empirical: This is the philosophy that studies something concrete or tangible. An example is the philosophy of law that studies law.
– Non-empirical: Philosophy that tries to go beyond the concrete, as if we were asking about everything that is behind the concrete thing.
Also see: Character Education: Function, Purpose and Urgency
2. Theological Ethics
Apart from being philosophical, there is also a type of ethics called theological ethics. This ethic is often related to religious values in general. So, to understand ethics one must understand ethics in general or global. Theological ethics, if in Islam it is more polite to existing religious teachings and sharia. Where a person must have politeness and respect for the values of worship in it.
The Relationship between Philosophical Ethics and Theology
In fact, both types of ethics in their relationship and position there is a debate going on between humans. To deal with this dispute, there are at least three statements that are very dominant in this matter.
1. Revisionism
This is a statement issued by Augustine (354 – 430), he said that theological ethics has a duty to change or revise and improve philosophical ethics.
2. Synthesis
This is a statement that came out of Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274), he made synthesis between the two types of ethics occur. The result of this synthesis is a new entity in which both types of ethics, either theological or philosophical, remain on track, namely maintaining their respective attitudes.
3. Diaparallelism
This is the response stated by F.E.D Schleiermacher (1768 – 1834), he stated that philosophical ethics and theological ethics are two types of ethics that run parallel, this can be likened to a railroad that lies parallel and side by side.
Thus a little review of the meaning of ethics, ethical characteristics and types. Hopefully with this discussion we can understand and understand ethics.