I distinguish between ethics and morality, though both terms have similar roots (mores --- norms of behavior and ethos/ethykos ---- code of conduct). I associate morality with religion or faith ? for no reason other than that I had a subject at school called ?moral science? taught by priests. That was after catechism was proscribed for students of a different faith. I consider ethics a more secular philosophy. While I have heard of universal ethics I have not come across terms like universal morals or morality. Also the secular nature of the frameworks is evident from their application to wide ranging human endeavors. We talk of ethical standards in academics but rarely of moral guidelines. We also have the following:
Business ethics [ Contracts, product liabilities, global trade]
Bio-ethics [Abortion/euthanasia, cloning/GM, environment]
Professional Ethics / Deontology [kshatriya dharma, bushido, Hippocratic oath].
We are rarely called upon to make life-and-death decisions (trolley problem or mercy killing) but how does one go about making every-days decisions on minor matters? How do we resolve an ethical dilemma?
For the serious student there is a 12- part (@ 1hr) lecture by a Harvard Ethicist
http://www.justiceharvard.org/
Those with less time will find a primer here:
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/framework.html
I have some excerpts from the site ? it begins with what ethics is NOT and then provides the frameworks for making ethical decisions including step-by-step guidance.
1. Ethics is not the same as feelings. 2. Ethics is not religion. 3. Ethics is not following the law. 4. Ethics is not following culturally accepted norms. 5. Ethics is not science.
Frameworks:
The Utilitarian Approach
Some ethicists emphasize that the ethical action is the one that provides the most good or does the least harm, or, to put it another way, produces the greatest balance of good over harm.
The Rights Approach
Other philosophers and ethicists suggest that the ethical action is the one that best protects and respects the moral rights of those affected.
The Fairness or Justice Approach
Aristotle and other Greek philosophers have contributed the idea that all equals should be treated equally.
The Common Good Approach
The Greek philosophers have also contributed the notion that life in community is a good in itself and our actions should contribute to that life.
The Virtue Approach
A very ancient approach to ethics is that ethical actions ought to be consistent with certain ideal virtues that provide for the full development of our humanity.
Given several optional courses of action we should ask {based on the context}:
Which option will produce the most good and do the least harm? (The Utilitarian Approach)
Which option best respects the rights of all who have a stake? (The Rights Approach)
Which option treats people equally or proportionately? (The Justice Approach)
Which option best serves the community as a whole, not just some members?
(The Common Good Approach)
Which option leads me to act as the sort of person I want to be? (The Virtue Approach)
Not all approaches are suitable for all contexts and some questions will yield very weak answers.
I hold that moralists ask similar questions but judge the answers based on a code written by organized religion.
All of this still begs the question --- can a moral person be ethical and can an ethical act be morally right?