ethics (ˈɛθɪks
)
Definitions
noun
- (functioning as singular) 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
- (functioning as plural) a social, religious, or civil code of behaviour considered correct, esp that of a particular group, profession, or individual
- (functioning as plural) the moral fitness of a decision, course of action, etc ⇒
he doubted the ethics of their verdict
Alternative Forms
ˈethicist nounSynonyms
View thesaurus entry= moral code
standards,
principles,
morals,
conscience,
morality,
moral values moral principles
moral philosophy,
rules of conduct moral beliefs
tikanga,
ethic (ˈɛθɪk)
Definitions
noun
- a moral principle or set of moral values held by an individual or group ⇒
the Puritan ethic
adjective
- another word for ethical
See also
ethicsWord Origin
C15: from Latin ēthicus, from Greek éthikos, from ēthos custom; see ethosQuotations
"True ethics begin where the use of language ceases"
Usage examples
He lent me a book about art and ethics by the British philosopher Hume.
, SUMMER OF SECRETS (2003)Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's head of science and ethics , says: "Services targeting the needs of adolescents are almost non-existent.
New Scientist (2003)The ethics counsellor is expected to make that information public next week.
Globe and Mail (2003)Baroness Warnock is wary of what she regards as sloppy thinking in the ethics industry.
Independent (1998)Kant also developed a sophisticated moral philosophy which was built around an austere ethics of duty.
, HEAVEN: A Traveller's Guide to the Undiscovered Country (2002)