ethical
ETH-ih-kul
/ˈeθɪkl/
Relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge dealing with these.
In travel, it refers to making choices that are fair to local people, animals, and the environment.
The story behind the word. The word 'ethos' originally meant 'custom' or 'habit.' The Greeks believed that your character was built by the habits you practiced every day. Today, it refers to the principles that guide those habits.
Word relationships
- moral: Often refers to personal beliefs, while ethical often refers to professional or societal codes.
- principled: Acting in accordance with strong beliefs.
- unethical: Not morally correct.
- immoral: Violating moral principles.
Commonly confused with
- ethnic: Ethnic refers to culture and race; ethical refers to right and wrong.
Word family
- ethics (noun): Moral principles that govern a person's behavior.
- ethically (adverb): In a morally correct way.
Collocations
- ethical dilemma
- ethical standards
- ethical travel
- highly ethical
Example sentences
- "Is it ethical to ride elephants, or does the practice cause them undue suffering?" Discussing animal tourism.
- "The ethical man is one who has a sense of responsibility for his actions." A philosophical definition.
Memory hook
Ethical = Earth + I + Cal (Calculate). I calculate my impact on the Earth. Ethical = Doing the right thing.
When not to use
Don't confuse with 'ethnic' (relating to a population group).
Fun facts
- The 'Ethical Traveler' is a non-profit organization that ranks the world's best developing countries based on their environmental and human rights records.
Related words
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