Balancing an ethics of conviction and an ethics of responsibility

Ethics is one means that societies use to deal with certain kinds of problems, specifically those that can cause harm. One approach to these problems is the creation of laws designed to prevent or limit harm in specified situations. Thus ethics and politics, although not equivalent, are closely related. Because both arenas are concerned with a multiplicity of relationships defining complex situations, it is not surprising that, in our desire to address a social harm, some relationships are emphasized but others are de-emphasized or overlooked completely. When this oversight occurs, harm may be the likely result for some group or groups even if others benefit. Nurturing our ability to see and appreciate the full range of situations and relationships can contribute to better ethical responses and better laws.