Ethics is the branch of philosophy that deals with questions of morality, examining what is right and wrong, good and bad, virtuous and vice-ridden. It involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of behavior and moral values. Ethics is concerned with principles that govern individuals’ conduct and the implications of these principles in various contexts, including personal life, professional conduct, and societal norms.
Ethics can be categorized into several areas, such as normative ethics, which seeks to establish guidelines for what is considered right; applied ethics, which deals with moral issues in specific contexts (e.g., medical ethics, business ethics); and meta-ethics, which explores the nature of moral judgments and the meaning of ethical terms.
An essential aspect of ethics is the exploration of moral dilemmas and the reasoning behind choices and actions. Ethics serves as a framework for evaluating human behavior and guiding decisions, aiming to promote fairness, justice, and the well-being of individuals and communities. It encourages critical thinking and reflection on moral values and offers a basis for understanding conflicts between different ethical perspectives.