law and ethics
LAW AND ETHICS
INTRODUCTION
Generally the term law means a body of regulations to guide human conduct. The Oxford Dictionary defines law as a body of enacted or customary rules recognized by a community as binding. Laws governing the external action of man may be either social or political. Social laws are based on customs and are enforced by parental and religious authority or by the pressure of public opinion. Political laws are enacted and enforced by the state. They are virtually commands, ordering or prohibiting certain actions and disobedience to them involves a penalty inflicted by the government.
Laws are the regulations recognized, and usually written by a governing power. Ethics are the morals of a culture, and often times, they update the laws that are made. The distinction is that, while you may obey the law, you might not always act ethically. It would be a rare case for something to be ethical, but against the law. An important point to keep in mind is that ethics do not have any associated punishments when broken. A law, however, specifically sets the types of repercussions that should occur should it be broken
Ethical values and legal principles are usually closely related, but ethical obligations typically exceed legal duties. In some cases, the law mandates unethical conduct. In general, when physicians believe a law is unjust, they should work to change the law. In exceptional circumstances of unjust laws, ethical responsibilities should supersede legal obligations.
LAW
Law may be defined as follows:
According to WILSON:-
“That portion of the established thought and habit which gained distinct and formal recognition in the shape of uniform rules backed by the authority and power of government”.
According to POUND:-
“The body of principles recognized or enforced by public and regular tribunals in the administration of justice”.
According to GREEN:-
“The system of rights and obligations which the state enforces”
INTRODUCTION
Generally the term law means a body of regulations to guide human conduct. The Oxford Dictionary defines law as a body of enacted or customary rules recognized by a community as binding. Laws governing the external action of man may be either social or political. Social laws are based on customs and are enforced by parental and religious authority or by the pressure of public opinion. Political laws are enacted and enforced by the state. They are virtually commands, ordering or prohibiting certain actions and disobedience to them involves a penalty inflicted by the government.
Laws are the regulations recognized, and usually written by a governing power. Ethics are the morals of a culture, and often times, they update the laws that are made. The distinction is that, while you may obey the law, you might not always act ethically. It would be a rare case for something to be ethical, but against the law. An important point to keep in mind is that ethics do not have any associated punishments when broken. A law, however, specifically sets the types of repercussions that should occur should it be broken
Ethical values and legal principles are usually closely related, but ethical obligations typically exceed legal duties. In some cases, the law mandates unethical conduct. In general, when physicians believe a law is unjust, they should work to change the law. In exceptional circumstances of unjust laws, ethical responsibilities should supersede legal obligations.
LAW
Law may be defined as follows:
According to WILSON:-
“That portion of the established thought and habit which gained distinct and formal recognition in the shape of uniform rules backed by the authority and power of government”.
According to POUND:-
“The body of principles recognized or enforced by public and regular tribunals in the administration of justice”.
According to GREEN:-
“The system of rights and obligations which the state enforces”