difference between moral and ethics

let's clear up a common misunderstanding: is it "ethics" or "morality"? what's the real difference between the two? a straightforward answer: technically, there isn't one. you can use them interchangeably without being wrong.

the word morality comes from the latin term for "customs," while ethics comes from the greek word with the same meaning. in that sense, they're essentially synonyms, the only difference lies in their linguistic roots.

but over time, some philosophers have assigned different meanings to the two. for example, kant viewed morality as a system of virtuous principles, while ethics referred to the practical application of those principles. other philosophers have argued that morality concerns our duties toward others, while ethics is more about personal wisdom and the path to inner fulfillment.

why not? there's no rule against giving these words distinct meanings but there's also no requirement to do so. the overlap is natural, and most of the time, using one or the other comes down to context and personal preference.