Ethics and scientific integrity in a world lacking morality

Abstract

Ethics and morals are mentioned every day in casual conversations between people and the daily news in newspapers and
on the internet, especially when referring to public figures’ dubious or dishonest acts. It would seem that corruption has
invaded the modern world and that principles and morals are lacking. However, do we really know what ethics and morals
are? Do we know what they are for? If we surveyed people, we would be surprised (or perhaps it is not a surprise) that
most people would find it difficult to clearly define ethics and/or morals, even when such terms are widely known, used
and have been internalised by everyone