SCIENCE is a definitely arranged body of knowledge, of facts related to each other. A collection of facts does not make a science; the facts must be systematically arranged in their relations to each other, and the principles underlying these relations must be known, before the collection can be called a science. ETHICAL means that which relates to conduct, to the way in which rational beings should behave towards each other as well as towards other creatures. When, therefore, we speak of Ethical Science, we do not mean a list of virtues and vices, but we mean a definite and systematically arranged series of facts of conduct in their proper relations to each other and of the underlying principles of these relations.
Another word for Ethics is morality, right conduct, and in order to know what is right we have to understand something about man and his surroundings.
The object of morality is to secure the welfare of all beings, and this is done by showing men,through the science of Conduct, how to live in harmony with each other and with their surrounings. Ishvara is Love, and wills the happiness of His universe, is gradually bringing about universal happiness.This does not mean that a right thing always is pleasant, and a wrong thing always unpleasant, for the time; but it means that the conduct which leads to lasting happiness, to the bliss of union with ishvara, to Moksha in the end, is good. “As the wheels of the cart follow the ox, so misery follows sin,” and so also happiness follows righteousness. The fruit of wrong-doing may be sweet to the taste in the eating, but it is poison, and brings about bitter pain afterwards, and sometimes long-continued disease. The boy who does wrong because it gives him a short pleasure is like the ignorant child who plucks and eats the sweet gaily coloured poison-berries that make him in the evening writhe in pain. It is the duty of the teacher of morality to mark every sin as “Poison.”
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The mark of Dharma Achara(good conduct). Achara is the mark good. Higher than all teachings is Achara. From Achara is Dharma born, and Dharma enhances life. By Achara man attains life. By Achara he attains fame, here and hereafter.
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“Achara is the highest Dharma, declared by the Shruti and the Smriti. Therefore let the twiceborn that knoweth the Self ever diligently engage therein.
“Thus beholding the path of Dharma issue from Achara, the sages embraced Achara as the root of all Tapas.
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“For the well-being of all beings was Dharma declared. That only which bringeth such wellbeing is Dharma. This is sure.
“Because it supporteth and holdeth together it is called Dharma. By Dharma are the people upheld. That which upholdeth is alone Dharma. This is sure.
“For the making harmless of beings was Dharma declared. That which secureth preservation of beings is Dharma. This is sure.
“He who is the friend of all beings; he who is intent on the welfare of all with act and thought and speech— he only knoweth Dharma, O Jajali.”
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“He who wishes to cross beyond this intense darkness, let him not attach himself too much to anything, for (such attachment) is the great frustrate of Dharma (religion, etc.), Artha (wealth), Kama (pleasure) and Moksha (emancipation).
“Of these (four) too, Moksha is the truly ultimate end, for the other three are ever haunted by the fear of Death, the Ender.”
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The wise man, O best of speakers, that knoweth the proper times, serveth Dharma, Artha and Kama, all three evenly, dividing his time between them (on the Pravritti Marga, the path of outgoing).
“But, O King, all beings desire happiness, and Moksha (belonging to the Nivrtti Marga, the path of return) is the highest good for them.”