Constructing social morality

Ethics and morals have etymologically the same meaning. Ethics stemming from the Greek ethos and morals from the Latin adjective moralis. But, in reality, these two words convey two different concepts. Morals defines the good and the bad. Religious morals, taking its roots in faith, doctrine, sacred texts and tradition, can differ according to the different religions; this is why there are several religious morals as opposed to just one. Morals concerns what "should be" as opposed to "what is". Morality is demanding. It suggests an ideal, it leads to a better self. It even demands heroism in certain cases. Ethics were born because, on the one hand the world and societies became pluralistic and one cannot impose a specific set of morals to all; on the other hand because moral codes are sometimes unable to face new situations. Thus, we tolerate for ethical reasons what we personally might condemn for moral reasons. Ethics put into practice moral principles of different origins and might be termed "morals of compromise". Ethical decisions are precarious and in a large measure arbitrary because they are the result of negotiations which can be challenged as new generations of speakers take part in the debate. For some, social ethics represents the smallest common denominator acceptable by all. For others, this compromise is meant to bring the different elements of society together on demanding issues. For example, in the rapidly evolving field of biomedicine, civil ethics have replaced religious morals in most societies. On issues such as voluntary interruption of pregnancy, contraception, in vitro fertilization, blood transfusion and euthanasia, bioethics presents itself ass an alternative, although complementary, to the indifference or the incapability of morals to establish a dialogue with the sciences of life.