What is ethics?

Answer 1

I'll give you the same answer I give my daughters.

Ethics is doing the right thing no matter what the cost.

Answer 2

Ethics are a code of conduct, usually formally set forth in writing.

Ethics are not the same as morals (which are usually religious based) or laws (which are govt-enforced), but they are similar in concept -- a set of rules for required and prohibited behavior.

The important thing to remember is that what actions are considered ethical vary by the codes of conduct, usually by profession or organization. For example, many medical ethical codes demand strict confidentiality of information disclosed by patients. So, revealing something a patient told a doctor would be an ethical violation.

But, other groups may hold the ethical view that it is acceptable to reveal information for the benefit of society or to protect a third person. So, for them, refusing to reveal what the patient told the doctor would be the ethical violation.

Unlike laws, ethics are therefore relative and vary based on the particular code of behavior. Ethics are also usually accepted voluntarily when someone joins that profession or organization -- again, unlike laws which are mandatorily imposed.

Answer 3

Theoretically, ethics is a social bond of proper behavior. It is the attempt by people to live lawfully among others, and to lead their lives in such a way as to bring no harm to others, and to further their society. It means honesty to others, and adhering to a code of right behavior.

In this regard, in many parts of the world ethics has rather disappeared. Since the model of good behavior in, for example, America, means having more than everyone else, being more privileged, then it follows that there is no regard for the welfare of society, just the furtherance of the personal agenda, and we grant ourselves the 'right' to abuse others for our own furtherance.

If you want to see what I mean: ask a businessman what ethics is, and watch them dance around the question.

In this forum I recently asked if business ethics were different than common ethics, and the few answers I got indicated that people felt that if you were ethical, your business would do well. However, on a daily basis, the opposite truth is available to our senses daily. The most unethical are the most successful.

Answer 4

Ethics is a general term for what is often described as the "science (study) of morality". In philosophy, ethical behavior is that which is "good" or "right." The Western tradition of ethics is sometimes called moral philosophy. This is one part of value theory (axiology) – the other part is aesthetics – one of the four major branches of philosophy, alongside metaphysics, epistemology, and logic.

Answer 5

Our Law code for Human souls.