ethics

eth-ics · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The branch of philosophy dealing with moral principles and values governing conduct.

  2. 2.

    The moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity.

  3. 3.

    A set of moral principles or values.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    code of ethics — a set of principles governing professional conduct
  • •
    work ethics — moral principles relating to work
  • •
    bioethics — ethics related to biological and medical research
  • •
    ethics committee — a group reviewing ethical aspects of research

Related words

Antonyms: corruption, immorality
See also: ethical, moral, philosophy, values
Synonyms: morality, morals, principles, values

Etymology

From Latin ethica, from Greek ta ethika ("matters of character"), from ethikos ("moral"), from ethos ("character, custom").