Definitions: A Triumph!

[cjsmith]

I finally figured out the difference between "immoral" and "unethical".

For years people have tried to nitpick at me by saying those two words have different meanings. Looking at dictionaries hasn't helped me. Way too many definitions of "immoral" reference "ethics" and way too many definitions of "unethical" reference "morals." So I figured the nitpickers were just making shit up, as many nitpickers do. But I figured it out!

"Immoral" is a word REPUBLICANS use. "Unethical" is a word DEMOCRATS use.

Ta-daaaa!

Comments

[mithriltabby]

Interesting. Usually I use “morals” to describe behavioral principles founded in religious dogma and “ethics” to describe behavioral principles founded in objective arguments.

[dieppe.livejournal.com]

I like that explanation too, slothman! Which explains also why "immoral" is a word Republicans use. They may tend towards religious dogma to determine morality. Whereas the nasty immoral atheists and Democrats would use "ethics" from objective arguments, free of "The Bible Tells Me So."

In a sense it also explains things like why Slavery, supported by the Bible, lasted as long as it did. People who take their morality (and ethics) based on a book can say "See! It's okay to do this because the Book says so!" and feel that their morality is justified. Also explains why there are Christian who smoke cigarettes, but won't drink. The Bible doesn't say that tobacco is bad for you, but it does talk against "strong drink."

Anyway, I'll be thinking about this all day.