Ethics

Ethics or moral philosophy is the branch of philosophy that involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong conduct. The term ethics derives from the Ancient Greek word ἠθικός ethikos, which is derived from the word ἦθος ethos (habit, "custom"). The branch of philosophy axiology comprises the sub-branches of ethics and aesthetics, each concerned with values.

As a branch of philosophy, ethics investigates the questions "What is the best way for people to live?" and "What actions are right or wrong in particular circumstances?" In practice, ethics seeks to resolve questions of human morality, by defining concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime. As a field of intellectual enquiry, moral philosophy also is related to the fields of moral psychology, descriptive ethics, and value theory.

Three major areas of study within ethics recognised today are:

  • Meta-ethics, concerning the theoretical meaning and reference of moral propositions, and how their truth values (if any) can be determined
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    Latest News for: ethical

    From the far left to the haredi right, these Jews are questioning the ethics of ...

    Cleveland Jewish News 25 Mar 2025
    After running as a candidate last time, Abraham Silberstein will not even be voting in this year’s election for the World Zionist Congress ... .

    Senate votes against expulsion, censure of former president Jason Ellsworth after ethics investigation

    Longview News-Journal 25 Mar 2025
    HELENA, Mont. – Former Senate President Jason Ellsworth faced an ethics investigation, but state senators did not pass a vote to expel or censure him ....

    Abbottabad judiciary enhances staff training on ethics & responsibilities

    Urdu Point 25 Mar 2025
    The initiative aimed to enhance the judicial staff’s understanding of their professional duties, highlight the significance of ethical conduct, and equip them with essential skills for efficient ...

    Engineering students explore how to ethically design and locate nuclear facilities in this college course

    Caledonian Record 25 Mar 2025
    Students explore nuclear facilities in virtual reality and learn about the ethical dimensions of nuclear technology in a University of Michigan course ....

    Faux gras? Scientists craft 'more ethical' version of French delicacy

    Sierra County Sentinel 25 Mar 2025
    Foie gras — the fattened liver of ducks or geese — is a French delicacy prized for its rich, buttery flavor. But its production, which involves force-feeding the animals, has led to bans in several countries ... .

    Trump team’s Signal chat leak could violate three major rules, legal and ethical questions now ...

    The Economic Times 25 Mar 2025
    Signal chat leak from the Donald Trump's administration has caused an uproar over the security and secrecy of the US' national information ... .

    SF can do more to prevent corruption, ethics report suggests

    San Francisco Examiner 25 Mar 2025
    But Ethics Commission says potential implementation ‘constrained’ ....

    Ex-Bristol Community College employee fined for ethics violation

    The Sun Chronicle 25 Mar 2025
    A former Bristol Community College mental health counselor has paid a $4,000 civil penalty for violating the state conflict of interest law through her actions as a state employee and involving a student ... .

    Bird enzymes used to make ethical foie gras without force-feeding

    The Times/The Sunday Times 25 Mar 2025
    A new method of making foie gras without the need to force-feed the birds or use any artificial additives has been patented by a pâté-loving scientist ... The method uses bird enzymes used to make “ethical” foie gras ... Related articles ... .

    Former White House ethics lawyer rips Trump over deportations 'without any due process whatsoever'

    The Hill 25 Mar 2025
    Former White House ethics lawyer Norm Eisen on Monday went after the Trump administration over recent deportations, under scrutiny for potential defiance of court orders ... “There were planeloads of people ... Trump and his administration have hammered U.S.
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