Home › Media, Journalism & Publishing › Paparazzi & Invasion of Privacy › Ethics

Ethics

ETH-iks /ˈɛθɪks/

nC1GRETOEFL

neutralacademic

Moral principles that govern a person's or group's behavior; the branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles.

Refers to a system of moral values or principles, often guiding professional conduct or societal norms. It's about what is considered right or wrong, good or bad, in a particular context.

The story behind the word. The word 'ethics' comes from the Greek 'ethos,' which originally meant 'custom, habit, or character.' It referred to the fundamental character or spirit of a culture or community. Over time, it evolved to denote the philosophical study of moral principles and the specific moral principles that guide human conduct, especially in a professional context.

Word relationships

morals: Often refers to personal beliefs about right and wrong, while ethics can be a broader system or code.
principles: Fundamental truths or beliefs that serve as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior.
values: A person's or society's standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life.

immorality: The state or quality of being immoral; wickedness.
unethical behavior: Actions that violate established moral principles.

Commonly confused with

morals: While often used interchangeably, 'ethics' typically refers to a system of principles governing a group or profession (e.g., journalistic ethics), whereas 'morals' often refers to an individual's personal beliefs about right and wrong.

Word family

ethical (adj): Relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge dealing with these; morally good or correct.
ethically (adv): In an ethical manner.

Collocations

professional ethics
business ethics
medical ethics
journalistic ethics
code of ethics

Example sentences

"Journalists are expected to adhere to a strict code of ethics when reporting the news." Professional conduct.
"The debate over artificial intelligence often raises complex questions about ethics and accountability." A philosophical discussion.
"The company prides itself on its strong business ethics, ensuring fair practices and transparency." Company policy.

Memory hook

Think of 'ETHICS' as the 'ETIQUETTE' and 'THINKING' that guide what is right and wrong. ETIQUETTE THINKING

When not to use

Do not use 'ethics' interchangeably with 'morals' if you intend to distinguish between a formal system of principles (ethics) and personal beliefs (morals), though in common usage they are often synonyms.

Fun facts

There are many branches of ethics, including meta-ethics (the nature of moral judgment), normative ethics (the content of moral judgments), and applied ethics (how moral outcomes can be achieved in specific situations).
Most professions, from medicine to law to journalism, have established codes of ethics to guide their members' conduct.

Related words

Consent, Dignity, Exploitation

Explore more words

morality, ethical, propriety, absolutism, values, principled