What Is – Ought To Be

What Is – Ought To Be

Ethics refers to a standard, the way one “ought to” behave, a moral law. While morals refer to an obligation to that standard or law. However, when ethics (what ought to be) are reduced to actions (what is), the logical fallacy of “is/ought” has been committed. When a society normalizes certain behaviors (what is), that used to be considered immoral (what ought not to be), that behavior becomes the new moral standard (what ought to be considered moral based on societal standards). The result is a confusion between one’s actions (what is) and the “real moral” standard (what ought to be).