The study of what is right and wrong, and the moral rules that guide human behavior. It can also mean the set of principles that a person, group, or profession follows.
From Greek *ēthikē (tekhnē)* 'the science of morals', from *ēthikos* 'moral, relating to character'. It has been a central part of philosophy since ancient times.
Ethics is like a user manual for being human, but different cultures and professions write slightly different versions. Doctors, scientists, and journalists all have their own codes of ethics. Learning ethics doesn’t just tell you what to do; it trains you to notice that every choice has a moral dimension.
Ethics as an academic field has historically been dominated by male philosophers and professionals, centering dilemmas and perspectives common to their social positions. Care ethics and feminist ethics emerged partly to address how traditional frameworks neglected power, dependency, and the lived experiences of women and marginalized groups.
When invoking 'ethics,' specify which tradition or framework you’re drawing on and consider including perspectives like feminist ethics, care ethics, and global South approaches.
["moral philosophy","moral principles","value framework"]
When teaching or discussing ethics, include women and marginalized ethicists as primary theorists, not only as case subjects or footnotes.
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