Sadly, at the same time, lack of progress in moral theory is undermining this bonanza in fact threatening our very survival. Lack of definition of the terms used. Confusion caused by the deeply ingrained idea of duty ethics . Morality is a set of principles that characterize behavior as right or wrong good or bad.
Ethics is the study of morality.
Principles are generalized rules they have a wider range of applicability. Morality comprises a number of principles, that may or may not combine to form a system. In reality, moral codes range from being arbitrary collections of contradictory rules, to evolved social customs, to explicit comprehensive integrated philosophies. Lastly, there is the crucial meta-ethical issue of what right and wrong are measured against the meaning of good . Naturally, as soon as a reason is offered of why we should have a duty to something or someone, then such morality is re-classified consequentialist.