ethics
n.-
1 moral principles (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatethe ideas or rules that a person or group has about what is right and wrong.
the moral principles that govern a person's behaviour or the conducting of an activity.
ExampleThe company's ethics were questioned after they hid the truth about the accident.
ExamplePersonal ethics often dictate how an individual responds to pressure in the workplace, especially when faced with a choice between profit and honesty.
UsageOften used as a plural noun with a plural verb.
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2 professional standards (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Formala set of rules that people in a specific job must follow to be professional and fair.
the formal standards or codes of conduct that govern the behaviour of members of a specific profession.
ExampleMedical ethics require doctors to keep their patients' information private.
ExampleThe committee is responsible for investigating any alleged breaches of professional ethics by members of the bar association.
UsageFrequently appears in the phrase 'medical ethics' or 'legal ethics'.
- code of conduct
- standards
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3 the study of morality (n.) C1 Advanced Academic Sciencethe area of study that looks at what it means to be good or bad.
the branch of knowledge or philosophy that deals with moral principles.
ExampleShe decided to take a class on ethics to understand different views on right and wrong.
ExampleEthics is a fundamental component of the philosophy curriculum, requiring students to engage with complex thought experiments regarding human agency.
UsageWhen referring to the field of study, it is treated as a singular noun.
- moral philosophy
From Middle English etik, from Middle French ethique, from Late Latin ethica, from Ancient Greek ἠθική (ēthikḗ), from ἠθικός (ēthikós, “of or for morals, moral, expressing character”), from ἦθος (êthos, “character, moral nature”).