First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
ethic
noun eth·ic \ˈe-thik\
: rules of behavior based on ideas about what is morally good and bad
ethics : an area of study that deals with ideas about what is good and bad behavior : a branch of philosophy dealing with what is morally right or wrong
: a belief that something is very important
Full Definition of ETHIC
1
plural but sing or plural in constr : the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation
2
a : a set of moral principles : a theory or system of moral values <the present-day materialistic ethic> <an old-fashioned work ethic> —often used in plural but singular or plural in construction <an elaborate ethics> <Christian ethics> b plural but sing or plural in constr : the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group <professional ethics> c : a guiding philosophy d : a consciousness of moral importance <forge a conservation ethic>
3
plural : a set of moral issues or aspects (as rightness) <debated the ethics of human cloning>
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Origin of ETHIC
Middle English ethik, from Middle French ethique, from Latin ethice, from Greek ēthikē, from ēthikos
Other Philosophy Terms
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