Psychology class, not philosophy class. Psychology is considered a science, and I find a scientific definition to be more than suitable here.
Especially when applied and legal ethics are still systematized morals. Ethics, in your case, are still what society defines "right and wrong" and set up a set of formalized rules. They're formally spelled out moral judgements.
According to studies, morals are the rules and methods of right and wrong behavior that we learn and internalize as we grow up. In a very real way, morals are ethics we adopt as personal guidelines growing up. And ethics are morals that we, as humans, write down and formalize as standards of behavior for a group. The two concepts are completely interwoven and inseparable.
So, when you have a paladin who's torn between following authority and showing mercy in this case, its actually a conflict of two morals. Because following authority is actually a moral imperative for the paladin at this point. Both are even part of the Oath of Devotion, making both of them morals and ethics at the same time!
I suppose we could talk about violating social norms, but that doesn't make sense in context of the alignment chart either - everyone, even Chaotic beings, have social norms they work with.
Especially when applied and legal ethics are still systematized morals. Ethics, in your case, are still what society defines "right and wrong" and set up a set of formalized rules. They're formally spelled out moral judgements.
According to studies, morals are the rules and methods of right and wrong behavior that we learn and internalize as we grow up. In a very real way, morals are ethics we adopt as personal guidelines growing up. And ethics are morals that we, as humans, write down and formalize as standards of behavior for a group. The two concepts are completely interwoven and inseparable.
So, when you have a paladin who's torn between following authority and showing mercy in this case, its actually a conflict of two morals. Because following authority is actually a moral imperative for the paladin at this point. Both are even part of the Oath of Devotion, making both of them morals and ethics at the same time!
I suppose we could talk about violating social norms, but that doesn't make sense in context of the alignment chart either - everyone, even Chaotic beings, have social norms they work with.
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