Who is the arbiter or who decides what is…

Who is the arbiter or who decides what is ethical and what is not? As a general rule, what is right and what is wrong is decided by society that determines what is ethical for that culture or community. Can be decided by legal authorities such as governments and regulatory institutions that create laws and regulations that set ethical standards. Is that ethical or is that legal? Religion or religious authorities can set or decide ethical questions or what is right or and what is wrong. Professional organizations can also do that for their members. At the end of the day though, ethical decisions are decided by the individual based on their own values and beliefs. If an individual chooses to join a culture or a community or a professional organization or a religion, then this person, in order to be a part of this culture or community will need to, at least on the surface, comply with the ethical norms of that particular group. It is important to note, that an individual always has the choice to leave that particular society or culture or community or religion. So therefore the individual is the person that ultimately decides what is ethical and what is not.

— from True North (Ethics, Integrity, Truth, Values)

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