Final answer:
Legal obligations are enforceable by law and have clear consequences set by the legal system, whereas ethical obligations are grounded in moral principles, often vary among individuals, and are not legally enforceable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns the distinction between legal and ethical obligations in decision making. The correct statement regarding their distinction is that legal obligations are enforceable by law, whereas ethical obligations are based on moral principles. This encapsulates the understanding that while the law provides a framework for behavior enforceable by societal institutions, ethics are guided by personal, cultural, or philosophical values which may or may not coincide with the legal framework.
Legal obligations and the consequences for failing to fulfill them are clearly defined in the legal system. On the other hand, the realm of ethics deals with the rightness or wrongness of actions based on a moral standpoint, which could differ among individuals. Deontological theory highlights the importance of adhering to one's duties and moral rules, irrespective of the consequences, aligning closely with the concept of ethical obligations.
Understanding the relationship between laws and morals is complex. Some actions may be legal but not ethical, and vice versa. Situations often arise wherein individuals face conflicts between their legal duties and their personal moral beliefs, emphasizing the non-equivalence of legal rules and ethical guidelines.