“Ethics is not about the way things are, it is about the way they should be.” – Peter Singer.

Answer. Ethics belongs to the field of normative science, and there are normative theories like virtue ethics, deontology and teleology. Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with questions of morality, right and wrong, and principles that guide human behavior.

It is concerned with evaluating and determining what actions, choices, and behaviors are morally acceptable and desirable. While ethics does consider the way things are in terms of current practices, norms, and behaviors, its primary focus is on how things should be based on ethical principles and values.

Normative ethics covers virtue ethics, deontology, and teleology which have set universal standards of human behaviour. Ethics has always been concerned with the character and conduct to achieve the Chief Good, which inherently means striving to get better and better.

Since ethics scrutinizes human conduct on the basis of the standards set by the normative theories, it is primarily concerned about ‘the way they should be’, and ‘not about the way things are’. All the ethical standards like

1. Self-lessness

2. Self-interest

3. Virtue principles

4. Truthfulness

Are based on ‘the way they should be’.

By emphasizing “the way things should be,” Singer suggests that ethics involves normative judgments and aspirations. It seeks to establish standards of conduct that reflect moral ideals and promote positive outcomes. Ethics aims to guide individuals, communities, and societies toward actions and choices that are morally right, just, and beneficial.

In practical terms, this perspective implies that ethical discussions and debates go beyond accepting the status quo and challenging existing norms, practices, and systems. It calls for critical reflection, moral reasoning, and a consideration of the potential consequences and impacts of our actions. Ethics encourages us to question and challenge established practices that may be ethically questionable or harmful, and to work towards creating a more ethical and just society.

However, ethics has different approaches, like descriptive ethics, meta-ethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics.

• Descriptive ethics basically deals with what is the behaviour of human or how human behaves.
• Meta-ethics evaluates the meaning of different terms and terminologies.
• Normative ethics is concerned with what ought to be of human conduct.
• Applied ethics deals with the application of ethics in a particular situation/field.

It means normative field of ethics is not standalone. Other branches also play mportant role in understanding the quality of human behaviour. It is important to acknowledge that determining “the way things should be” is not always straightforward or universally agreed upon. Ethical dilemmas can arise due to differing perspectives, cultural values, and conflicting interests. Resolving these dilemmas often requires thoughtful deliberation, open dialogue, and a consideration of multiple viewpoints.

Conclusion: Peter Singer’s quote reminds us that ethics is not solely concerned with describing the current state of affairs, but rather with envisioning and working towards a better, more ethically sound future. It challenges us to consider the ethical implications of our actions and to strive for a world that aligns with moral principles and values. By embracing ethics as a guiding framework, we can aspire to create a more just, compassionate, and morally responsible society.