Definition of Ethics:
Ethics refers to the moral principles and values that govern human behavior and decision-making. It involves distinguishing between right and wrong, and understanding what is considered morally acceptable in a given context or society.
Key Concepts in Ethics:
- Moral Principles:
- Normative Ethics: The study of how people ought to behave based on commonly accepted moral principles.
- Descriptive Ethics: The study of actual moral practices, beliefs, and values within a specific society or group.
- Goodness and Rightness:
- Consequentialism: The ethical theory that focuses on the consequences or outcomes of actions as the primary factor in determining their moral worth.
- Deontology: The ethical theory that emphasizes the adherence to moral rules and duties, regardless of the outcomes.
- Virtue Ethics: The ethical theory that emphasizes the development of virtuous character traits in order to make morally good decisions.
- Applied Ethics:
- Medical Ethics: The study of ethical principles and dilemmas related to healthcare, medical research, and patient rights.
- Business Ethics: The study of moral principles and ethical problems that arise in the business environment.
- Environmental Ethics: The study of moral obligations and responsibilities towards the environment and the natural world.
- Ethical Considerations:
- Justice: The principle of fairness and equality in the distribution of resources, opportunities, and benefits in society.
- Respect for Autonomy: Acknowledging and valuing individuals’ right to make informed decisions for themselves.
- Non-Maleficence: The principle of doing no harm and minimizing potential risks or negative consequences.
- Beneficence: The principle of promoting well-being and taking actions that result in positive outcomes.
- Integrity: The quality of acting in accordance with ethical principles and having consistency between one’s actions and beliefs.