the philosophical study of the moral value of human conduct and of the rules and principles that ought to govern it; moral philosophy
See also meta-ethics
2. (functioning as plural)
a social, religious, or civil code of behaviour considered correct, esp that of a particular group, profession, or individual
3. (functioning as plural)
the moral fitness of a decision, course of action, etc
he doubted the ethics of their verdict
Derived forms
ethicist (ˈethicist) or ethician (eˈthician)
noun
ethics in American English
(ˈɛθɪks)
noun
1.
the study of standards of conduct and moral judgment; moral philosophy
2.
a treatise on this study
3. [with sing. or pl. v.]
the system or code of morals of a particular person, religion, group, profession, etc.
Examples of 'ethics' in a sentence
ethics
He lent me a book about art and ethics by the British philosopher Hume.
Anita Anderson SUMMER OF SECRETS (2003)
This manipulation of masses of people was an unforgivable violation of his cetic ethics.
Zindell, David THE BROKEN GOD (2003)
However, my sympathy didn't override my professional ethics.
Val McDermid DEAD BEAT (2003)
Of course, most meaningful assignments involved a breach of the psychiatrist's code of ethics.
George Cockcroft THE DICE MAN (2003)
Quotations
True ethics begin where the use of language ceasesAlbert SchweitzerCivilization and Ethics
Synonyms of 'ethics'
moral code, standards, principles, morals
More Synonyms of ethics
In other languages
ethics
British English: ethics NOUN
Ethics are moral beliefs and rules about right and wrong.
Its members are bound by a rigid code of ethics which includes confidentiality.
American English: ethics
Brazilian Portuguese: moral
Chinese: 伦理
European Spanish: ética
French: déontologie
German: Moral
Italian: etica
Japanese: 倫理
Korean: 도덕 윤리
European Portuguese: moral
Latin American Spanish: ética
All related terms of 'ethics'
ethic
Ethics are moral beliefs and rules about right and wrong .
meta-ethics
the philosophical study of questions about the nature of ethical judgment as distinct from questions of normative ethics , for example, whether ethical judgments state facts or express attitudes , whether there are objective standards of morality , and how moral judgments can be justified
medical ethics
the code of behaviour considered to be correct for members of the medical profession
code of ethics
an agreement on ethical standards for a profession or business
situation ethics
a theory of ethics according to which moral rules are not absolutely binding but may be modified in the light of specific situations
work ethic
An ethic of a particular kind is an idea or moral belief that influences the behaviour, attitudes , and philosophy of a group of people.
Protestant work ethic
→ the Protestant work ethic
Chinese translation of 'ethics'
ethics
(ˈɛθɪks)
n(u)
(= study of moral philosophy) 伦(倫)理学(學) (lúnlǐxué)
n pl
(= morality) 道德准(準)则(則) (dàodé zhǔnzé)
(plural noun)
Definition
a code of behaviour, esp. of a particular group, profession, or individual
Such an action was a violation of medical ethics.
Synonyms
moral code
standards
principles
morals
conscience
morality
moral values
moral principles
moral philosophy
rules of conduct
moral beliefs
tikanga (New Zealand)
Quotation
True ethics begin where the use of language ceases [Albert Schweitzer – Civilization and Ethics]