ethics

eth·ic  (thk)

n.

1.

a. A set of principles of right conduct.

b. A theory or a system of moral values: "An ethic of service is at war with a craving for gain" Gregg Easterbrook.

2. ethics (used with a sing. verb) The study of the general nature of morals and of the specific moral choices to be made by a person; moral philosophy.

3. ethics (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession: medical ethics.

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[Middle English ethik, from Old French ethique (from Late Latin thica, from Greek thika, ethics) and from Latin thic (from Greek thik), both from Greek thikos, ethical, from thos, character; see s(w)e- in Indo-European roots.]

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ethics

Noun, pl

1. a code of behaviour, esp. of a particular group, profession, or individual: business ethics

2. the moral fitness of a decision, course of action, etc.

Noun

the study of the moral value of human conduct

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Ethics

See also philosophy; values

amoralism

the state or quality of being without morality or of being indifferent to moral standards. — amoralist, n. — amoral, adj.

axiology

the branch of philosophy dealing with values, as those of ethics, aesthetics, or religion. — axiologist, n. — axiological, adj.

casuist

1. a person who studies and resolves questions of right and wrong in conduct.
2. an oversubtle or specious reasoner. — casuistic, adj.

casuistry

1. the branch of ethics or theology that studies the relation of general ethical principles to particular cases of conduct or conscience.
2. a dishonest or oversubtle application of such principles.

deontology

the branch of philosophy concerned with ethics, especially that branch dealing with duty, moral obligation, and right action. — deontologist, n. — deontological, adj.

eudemonism, eudaemonism, eudemonics, eudaemonics

the ethical doctrine that the basis of morality lies in the tendency of right actions to produce happiness, especially in a life governed by reason rather than pleasure. — eudemonist, eudaemonist, n.

metaethics

a branch of philosophy concerned with the foundations of ethics and especially with the definition of ethical terms and the nature of moral discourse.

moralism

the practice of morality, as distinct from religion. — moralist, n. — moralistic, adj.

sensationalism

sensualism. — sensationalist, n.

sensualism

the doctrine that the good is to be judged only by or through the gratifleation of the senses. Also called sensationalism.

synteresis

the belief or doctrine that the conscience is the repository of the laws of right and wrong. See also health.

utilitarianism

the ethical doctrine that virtue is based upon utility and that behavior should have as its goal the procurement of the greatest happiness for the greatest number of persons. — utilitarian, n., adj.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	ethics - motivation based on ideas of right and wrong ethical motive, morals, morality motivation, motive, need - the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior; "we did not understand his motivation"; "he acted with the best of motives" hedonism - the pursuit of pleasure as a matter of ethical principle conscience, moral sense, scruples, sense of right and wrong - motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions Christ Within, Inner Light, Light Within, Light - a divine presence believed by Quakers to enlighten and guide the soul
	2.	ethics - the philosophical study of moral values and rules moral philosophy egoism - (ethics) the theory that the pursuit of your own welfare in the basis of morality philosophy - the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics bioethics - the branch of ethics that studies moral values in the biomedical sciences casuistry - moral philosophy based on the application of general ethical principles to resolve moral dilemmas endaemonism, eudemonism - an ethical system that evaluates actions by reference to personal well-being through a life based on reason hedonism - an ethical system that evaluates the pursuit of pleasure as the highest good descriptivism - (ethics) a doctrine holding that moral statements have a truth value prescriptivism - (ethics) a doctrine holding that moral statements prescribe appropriate attitudes and behavior

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ethics

plural noun moral code, standards, principles, morals, conscience, morality, moral values, moral principles, moral philosophy, rules of conduct, moral beliefs, tikanga N.Z.

Translations

ethics [ˈɛθɪks] n → ética

npl → moralidad f

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ethics [ˈɛθɪks] ethical n → éthique f

npl → moralité f

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ethics [ˈɛθɪks] n → Ethik f

npl (morality) → Moral f

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ethics [ˈɛθɪks] n → etica

npl → morale f