Is it ethical to make people up?

Question

When writing, we create characters and devise all sorts of trials for the character to go through. is that ethical?

as in like i knows thats coz of creativity....but to create characters and let them suffer .... is that morally right

Answer 1

Of course it is ethical. It is called creativity. Why in the world would you think it is not ethical?

Answer 2

Ethics (from the Ancient Greek "ethikos", meaning "arising from habit") is one of the major branches of philosophy, one that covers the analysis and employment of concepts such as right, wrong, good, evil, and responsibility. It is divided into three primary areas: meta-ethics (the study of what ethicality is), normative ethics (the study of what ethical truths there are and how they are known), and applied ethics (the study of the use of ethical knowledge).

So making up characters, as long as it isn't hurting anyone, is not an ethical issue.

Answer 3

If it isn't ethical, it would be only against yourself, since the characters are coming from your own mind.
Interesting question though.....

Answer 4

It's ethical if it is intended as fiction and the audience is aware that it's fiction. Otherwise it can do harm, get you fired, or make Oprah yell at you.

Answer 5

If you're writing fiction, sure.

If you're not, well, ask the New York Times editorial board.

Answer 6

Why wouldn't it be. It's certainly better than using real people and sreading around their business without authorization.

Answer 7

Yes it is ethical.

Answer 8

Yes. It is what separates humans from animals.

Answer 9

Depends on whether your writing fiction or non-fiction. If non-fiction, it is a big no no.