What does it mean to be ethical?

“Being ethical is doing what the law requires.” “Ethics consists of the standards of behavior our society accepts.” “I don’t know what the word means.” These replies might be typical of our own. The meaning of “ethics” is hard to pin down, and the views many people have about ethics are shaky.

What is ethics in epidemiology?

A Dictionary of Epidemiology, 4th ed, 2001 (J.M. Last (ed)) The branch of philosophy that deals with distinctions between right and wrong – with the moral consequences of human actions ETHICS • Medical ethics (patient-centered) • Public health ethics – (community/population-centered) • Research ethics (subject-centered)

What is the meaning of ethics in sociology?

Ethics is based on well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues. “Ethics consists of the standards of behavior our society accepts.”.

Is the word “law” in the definition of ethics?

I knew that the word “law” did not belong in the definition of ethics. Written laws, though they reflect societal values, are not ethical standards. Abiding by the law may keep you from going to jail, but it does not necessarily follow that your behavior is ethical. The reverse is also true.

What is ethics and why study it?

Ethics is often defined as the study of morality but a more detailed and revealing definition is provided by John Deigh in his book Introduction to Ethics: “ [Ethics] is a study of what are good and bad ends to pursue in life and what it is right and wrong to do in the conduct of life.

Is ethics singular or plural?

1 ethics plural in form but singular or plural in construction : the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation.