Is there a distinction between ethical rules and a positive law? Yes. Ethical rules cannot be broken, whereas failure to observe positive laws results in sanctions. No. The failure to observe either ethical rules or laws results in sanctions. Yes. Failure to observe ethical rules creates annoyance or indignation in others and a bad conscience in the wrongdoer, whereas failure to observe positive laws results in sanctions. Yes. Failure to observe ethical rules results in sanctions, whereas positive laws cannot be broken. No. There cannot be a positive law without first being an ethical rule