Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to moral principles: "ethical" describes something that involves or pertains to the branch of philosophy dealing with what is morally right and wrong.
   • Conforming to accepted moral standards: "ethical" describes behavior, actions, or decisions that are considered morally good, correct, or professional.
   • Adhering to a specific code of conduct: "ethical" can describe something that follows the rules or standards of a particular profession or group.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The company made an ethical decision to source materials sustainably. (This describes a decision based on moral principles.)
  • It is not ethical to use someone else's work without giving credit. (This describes an action that violates accepted moral standards.)
  • The journal publishes research that meets strict ethical guidelines. (This describes guidelines based on professional or moral codes.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ethical dilemma": a situation where a difficult choice must be made between two courses of action, both of which involve a conflict of moral principles.
  • Doctors often face ethical dilemmas regarding patient confidentiality.
• "Ethical considerations": moral factors that must be thought about when making a decision.
  • The project's plan included ethical considerations for the local community.

Variants and Related Words

• Ethics (noun): the moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity; also, the branch of knowledge dealing with these principles.
  • Professional ethics forbid such conflicts of interest.
• Ethically (adverb): in a way that relates to moral principles or conforms to accepted standards.
  • The company claims to operate ethically.
• Unethical (adjective): not morally correct or not conforming to accepted professional standards.
  • Falsifying data is widely considered unethical.

Synonyms

• Moral: concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior.
• Principled: acting in accordance with morality and showing recognition of right and wrong.
• Righteous: morally right or justifiable.

Related Phrases

• Ethical standards: the norms or principles of conduct that are considered morally correct within a profession or society.
  • The scandal revealed a failure to uphold basic ethical standards.
• Ethical code / Code of ethics: a set of principles and rules intended to guide the behavior of a particular group.
  • All members must adhere to the organization's code of ethics.

Adjective

1. adhering to ethical and moral principles
   • it seems ethical and right
   • followed the only honorable course of action
2. conforming to accepted standards of social or professional behavior
   • an ethical lawyer
   • ethical medical practice
   • an ethical problem
   • had no ethical objection to drinking
   • Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants- Omar N. Bradley
3. of or relating to the philosophical study of ethics
   • ethical codes
   • ethical theories