Morality and Ethics may seem similar, but there is a difference. Morals are one’s principles, directed by conscience and formulated to distinguish between right or wrong, good or bad. It is possible because the faculty of the mind has the power to choose between this and that. It is simply a method to assist the human mind in evaluating its choices and actions. However, each person’s moral code must be within the framework of external rules, or ethical code, provided by their society.  

Different professions, like lawyers, doctors, policemen, etc, will have to follow separate ethical systems or rules laid down for them. Each one’s conscience may not agree with all these rules. For instance, a lawyer’s professional code means he must defend even criminals, whereas his conscience may not agree. A Doctor may personally believe in euthanasia for his dying patient, but society has laid down different norms on the issue. So, the dilemma continues.

Following the ethical code laid down by society does not necessarily mean a person is moral. He may be a good citizen, yet an abusive son, husband, or father. His morality is lacking. On the other hand, a moral person, treating his own family with love and respect, can easily slip into another role in his workplace, ill-treating his co-workers, disrespecting his seniors, and being generally unethical. One also often sees how some people treat their helpers degradingly and superciliously.

 The role of the mind, as far as mental reality is concerned, is in everything. All that exists, the universe, divine, consciousness, etc., anything to everything, is because our mind says so and because it is far too superior. We need not compare it to anything we can conceive or perceive. The question arises: why does the mind need such a moral code of values? 

The mind’s job is to separate its psychic energy into dualities and dichotomies to experience and realize what life is all about. It is the mind’s job to decipher between moral and amoral, for if one was not there, the need for the other would vanish. For example, why would we need God if the devil were not there? Hence, we are required to be conscious of what we choose and experience. This series of experiential realizations gives rise to what we call consciousness via the medium of awareness. Spirituality demands the mind be used more in observance and watching to make the mind aware and conscious rather than analyzing and choosing between this and that. Then, yes, dual thinking is bound to reduce. There would be oneness instead of mind separating into this or that. However, our material life for human beings cannot exist without making choices at every step. Animals not having this distinguishing power of choice are thus unaware of ethics or morality.

Therefore, as I see it, and I suppose you will agree, ethics and morality must go side by side with our consciousness in harmony unless one wishes to lead a life of isolation, totally cut off from the rest of humanity.