Norms, values and moral codes

• values are general principles or guidelines for how we should live our lives. they tell us what is right and wrong, good or bad.
• norms are specific rules or socially accepted standards that govern people’s behaviour in particular situations.
• the term ‘moral code’ is often used to describe a set of basic rules, values and principles held by an individual, group, organisation or society as a whole
• a moral code or code of ethics may be written down. for example, the police code of ethics is a written guide to the core principles and standards that officers are expected to uphold in their work.
• mores are basic and essential norms which a society considers to be imperative for maintaining ‘standards of decency and civilised behaviour’. they are society’s most important rules
• going against a society’s mores is likely to be severely punished