Unethical vs Illegal
Both unethical and illegal refer to behavior that is considered inappropriate and wrong, either by the law or society. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are many differences between the two concepts.
What is Unethical?
Unethical actions or behavior are those considered wrong by society because they go against the agreed-upon code of conduct. In some situations, these actions can also be considered illegal, while in others they may be unethical but still legal. For example, having a romantic relationship with someone half your age is not illegal, but it is considered unethical and may raise a few eyebrows. Ethical behavior can vary from society to society and can be influenced by culture. For instance, in countries with conservative cultures, the ethics of behavior may be stricter.
Some actions, like hiding income from tax authorities and not filing a tax return, are both illegal and unethical. Other actions, like abortion or same-sex relationships, may be legal in some countries but still considered unethical by certain religious or moral beliefs.
Key Takeaways
- Unethical actions are considered wrong because they go against the agreed-upon code of conduct of a society, while illegal actions specifically go against the law.
- Some actions can be both unethical and illegal, while others may be unethical but still legal.
- Ethical behavior can vary from society to society and can be influenced by culture and personal beliefs.
What is Illegal?
The term illegal pertains to actions that are against the law and typically result in punishment or consequences. Actions like violence, killing, rape, embezzlement, and burglary are considered illegal and can result in penalties under the law. However, there are behaviors that are not illegal but still considered undesirable by society, like using a company’s telephone for personal long-distance calls or copying software from an office computer to use at home.
What is the Difference Between Unethical and Illegal?
- Unethical behaviors are those that are looked down upon by society and considered undesirable.
- Some unethical behaviors are also dealt with severely by the law and have specific punishments.
- However, there are acts that may not be illegal yet still be considered unethical.
