When it comes to making decisions, there are two major factors that come into play: legality and ethics. Both of these concepts are important, but they are not interchangeable. Legal and ethical considerations may overlap in some cases, but they are distinct concepts that should be treated as such.
So, what exactly do legal and ethical mean? Legal refers to something that is allowed or required by law. Ethical, on the other hand, refers to something that is morally right or wrong. While the two concepts can be related, they are not the same thing.
Throughout this article, we will explore the differences between legal and ethical considerations and why it is important to understand both when making decisions.
Define Legal
Legal refers to something that is authorized or recognized by the law. It is a term that is used to describe actions or behaviors that are permitted by the law. In other words, if something is legal, it means that it is not against the law and is allowed to be done.
For example, driving a car is legal as long as you have a driver’s license and follow the traffic laws. Similarly, starting a business is legal as long as you register it with the government and follow the regulations.
Define Ethical
Ethical refers to something that is morally right or good. It is a term that is used to describe actions or behaviors that are considered to be the right thing to do, regardless of whether they are required by law.
For example, donating to charity is considered ethical because it helps others in need. Similarly, being honest and truthful is considered ethical because it promotes trust and integrity.
While legality and ethics can overlap, they are not the same thing. Something can be legal but unethical, and vice versa. It is important to understand the difference between the two and to make decisions based on both legal and ethical considerations.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
When it comes to discussing legal and ethical matters, it’s important to use the correct terminology in order to convey your message accurately. In this section, we’ll explore how to properly use the words “legal” and “ethical” in a sentence.
How To Use “Legal” In A Sentence
When using the term “legal,” it’s important to understand that it refers to something that is permitted or authorized by law. Here are a few examples of how to use “legal” in a sentence:
- “The company’s actions were deemed legal by the court.”
- “It is legal to own a firearm in this state.”
- “The contract was reviewed by our legal team.”
As you can see, “legal” is often used in the context of laws, regulations, and court decisions. It’s important to use this term accurately in order to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.
How To Use “Ethical” In A Sentence
Unlike “legal,” the term “ethical” refers to something that is morally right or acceptable. Here are a few examples of how to use “ethical” in a sentence:
- “It is not ethical to discriminate against someone based on their race.”
- “The company’s decision to donate a portion of their profits to charity was seen as ethical by many.”
- “As a journalist, it’s important to follow ethical guidelines when reporting on sensitive topics.”
As you can see, “ethical” is often used in the context of morality, values, and principles. It’s important to use this term accurately in order to convey your message effectively and avoid any misunderstandings.
More Examples Of Legal & Ethical Used In Sentences
In order to better understand the difference between legal and ethical, it is important to examine how these terms are used in everyday language. Here are some examples of using legal in a sentence:
- It is legal to own a gun in the United States.
- She consulted with a legal expert before signing the contract.
- The company is facing a legal challenge from its competitors.
- He was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, which is not legal.
- The judge ruled that the evidence was not admissible in court because it was obtained illegally.
- Legal action will be taken against anyone found to be infringing on our copyrights.
- The lawyer argued that his client was acting within the bounds of the law.
- She is a legal resident of the United States, having obtained a green card.
- The company’s legal department is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
- He was advised to seek legal counsel before making any decisions regarding his property.
Now let’s take a look at some examples of using ethical in a sentence:
- It is not ethical to lie to your customers in order to make a sale.
- She was praised for her ethical behavior in the workplace.
- The company has a code of ethics that all employees are expected to follow.
- He faced criticism for his unethical business practices.
- It is important for journalists to maintain ethical standards when reporting the news.
- The doctor’s ethical obligations prevented him from disclosing confidential patient information.
- She was conflicted about the ethical implications of the experiment.
- The company’s ethical values are reflected in its mission statement.
- He was commended for his ethical decision to return the lost wallet to its owner.
- She refused to participate in the unethical treatment of animals in the laboratory.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When discussing legal and ethical issues, it is important to understand the distinct differences between the two. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of using these terms interchangeably. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Mistake #1: Assuming That What Is Legal Is Also Ethical
One of the most common mistakes people make is assuming that just because something is legal, it is also ethical. This is not always the case. Just because something is permissible under the law does not mean it is morally right. For example, it may be legal for a company to pay its workers minimum wage, but that does not mean it is ethical to do so.
Mistake #2: Assuming That What Is Ethical Is Also Legal
On the flip side, some people assume that just because something is ethical, it must also be legal. This is not necessarily true either. Ethical behavior is based on a set of moral principles, while legality is based on laws and regulations. While there may be some overlap between the two, they are not always aligned. For example, it may be ethical for a doctor to keep a patient’s information confidential, but it may not be legal if required by law to report certain types of information.
Mistake #3: Failing To Consider The Context
Another common mistake is failing to consider the context in which legal and ethical decisions are made. What may be legal and ethical in one situation may not be in another. For example, it may be legal for a police officer to use force to subdue a suspect, but it may not be ethical if the force used is excessive or unnecessary.
Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes
Here are some tips for avoiding these common mistakes:
- Take the time to understand the differences between legal and ethical issues.
- Consider the context in which decisions are being made.
- Consult with experts or seek legal and ethical guidance when needed.
- Think critically and question assumptions about what is legal and ethical.
Context Matters
When it comes to making decisions, the choice between legal and ethical considerations can be complex and multifaceted. One of the key factors that can influence this choice is the context in which it is made. Depending on the specific circumstances, what is legal may not always be ethical, and what is ethical may not always be legal.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Consider, for example, a business that is struggling financially. The owner is faced with the decision of whether to lay off employees in order to cut costs. From a legal perspective, the owner may be within their rights to make this decision, as long as they follow applicable employment laws and regulations. However, from an ethical perspective, the decision to lay off employees may be seen as unfair or unjust, particularly if the business has not explored other cost-cutting measures or if the layoffs disproportionately affect certain groups of employees.
On the other hand, consider a situation in which a person witnesses a crime. From a legal perspective, they may be required to report the crime to the authorities. However, from an ethical perspective, there may be other considerations to take into account, such as the potential danger to the witness or their relationship with the person who committed the crime.
Another example of how context can influence the choice between legal and ethical considerations is in the area of medical decision-making. In some cases, a medical procedure may be legal but not necessarily ethical, particularly if it involves risks or potential harm to the patient. Conversely, a decision not to pursue a certain medical treatment may be ethical but not necessarily legal, particularly if it goes against established medical protocols or standards of care.
These examples illustrate how the choice between legal and ethical considerations can depend on the specific context in which a decision is made. While laws and regulations provide a framework for decision-making, they do not always take into account the complex ethical considerations that can arise in different situations. Ultimately, it is up to individuals and organizations to carefully consider both legal and ethical factors when making decisions, and to strive for a balance that is both legally compliant and ethically sound.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the guidelines for using legal and ethical principles are generally straightforward, there are certain exceptions where these rules may not apply. Below are some examples:
1. Emergencies
In emergency situations, the usual rules of ethics and legality may not apply. For example, a doctor may need to disclose confidential patient information to save a life, even if the patient has not given permission. Similarly, a police officer may need to use force to subdue a dangerous suspect, even if it would normally be considered excessive.
2. Cultural Differences
What is considered ethical or legal in one culture may not be the same in another. For example, in some countries, it is acceptable to bribe officials to get things done quickly, while in others, it is illegal and unethical. Therefore, it is important to consider cultural differences when making decisions that involve legal and ethical principles.
3. Personal Beliefs
Individuals may have personal beliefs that conflict with legal or ethical principles. For example, a pharmacist may refuse to fill a prescription for birth control pills because it goes against their religious beliefs, even though it is legal and ethical to do so. In these cases, it is important to balance personal beliefs with professional responsibilities.
4. Unforeseen Circumstances
There may be unforeseen circumstances that make it difficult to strictly follow legal or ethical guidelines. For example, a company may need to lay off employees to stay afloat financially, even though it goes against ethical principles to do so. In these cases, it is important to weigh the consequences of each decision and choose the option that has the least negative impact.
While these exceptions may complicate the application of legal and ethical principles, it is important to consider them when making decisions that affect others.
Practice Exercises
Now that we have explored the differences between legal and ethical, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. Below are some practice exercises that will help you improve your understanding and use of these terms in sentences. Make sure to read the instructions carefully and choose the appropriate word for each sentence.
Exercise 1: Legal Or Ethical
| Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|
| The company’s decision to use child labor was ____________. | Unethical |
| It is ____________ to drive under the influence of alcohol. | Illegal |
| The lawyer’s behavior was ____________ during the trial. | Unethical |
| It is ____________ to discriminate against someone based on their race. | Illegal |
| The doctor’s decision to withhold treatment from a patient was ____________. | Unethical |
| It is ____________ to steal from someone. | Illegal |
Explanation: In this exercise, you were given a sentence and had to choose whether the appropriate word to fill in the blank was “legal” or “ethical.” The answers for each sentence are as follows:
- Sentence 1: Unethical
- Sentence 2: Illegal
- Sentence 3: Unethical
- Sentence 4: Illegal
- Sentence 5: Unethical
- Sentence 6: Illegal
Exercise 2: Legal And Ethical
In this exercise, you will be given a scenario and asked to determine whether the action taken was both legal and ethical, only legal, or only ethical.
- A company donates a portion of its profits to a local charity.
- Both legal and ethical
- Only ethical
- Only legal
- Only illegal
- Both illegal and unethical
- Only unethical
- Both illegal and unethical
- Only illegal
- Only unethical
- Both illegal and unethical
- Only unethical
- Only illegal
Explanation: In this exercise, you were given a scenario and had to determine whether the action taken was both legal and ethical, only legal, or only ethical. The answers for each scenario are as follows:
- Both legal and ethical
- Only unethical
- Only illegal
- Both illegal and unethical
By completing these practice exercises, you should now have a better understanding of how to use the terms legal and ethical in sentences. Remember, it is important to always consider both the legal and ethical implications of your actions.
Conclusion
After exploring the differences between legal and ethical language use, it is clear that while the two concepts overlap, they are not interchangeable. Legal language is focused on adhering to laws and regulations, while ethical language is concerned with doing what is morally right.
It is important to understand the nuances of both legal and ethical language use in order to effectively communicate and avoid any potential legal or ethical issues.
Key Takeaways
- Legal language is focused on adhering to laws and regulations, while ethical language is concerned with doing what is morally right.
- Legal language can be complex and technical, while ethical language is often more subjective.
- It is important to understand the nuances of both legal and ethical language use in order to effectively communicate and avoid any potential legal or ethical issues.
By keeping these key takeaways in mind, readers can ensure that they are communicating in a way that is both legally compliant and ethically responsible.
Continuing Learning
For those interested in further exploring grammar and language use, there are many resources available. Some recommended options include:
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Grammarly | An online writing assistant that checks for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. |
| The Elements of Style | A classic guide to writing by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White. |
| Merriam-Webster Dictionary | A comprehensive online dictionary and thesaurus. |
By continuing to learn and improve their language use, readers can become more effective communicators and avoid any potential legal or ethical issues.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.