Ethics
Definition
Ethics refers to the moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity. It is a branch of philosophy that involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong conduct.
Analogy
Think of ethics as your internal compass. Just like how a compass guides you in the right direction when you're lost in the woods, ethics guide your decisions by helping you distinguish between what's morally right and wrong.
Related terms
Moral Philosophy: This is another term for ethics. It involves systematic study of our moral sense - our thoughts about what is right and wrong.
Deontology: This is a theory within ethics that determines the morality of an action based on whether it adheres to established rules. Like playing a board game, actions are only 'right' if they follow the game's (or society's) rules.
Utilitarianism: A theory in ethics proposing that the best action is one that maximizes overall happiness or 'utility'. Imagine being at a party where you're DJing; utilitarianism would suggest choosing music most people enjoy to maximize overall happiness.
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