ethic

eth·ic

noun \ˈe-thik\

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>

Examples of ETHIC

1. Ethics is his chosen field of study.

Origin of ETHIC

Middle English ethik, from Middle French ethique, from Latin ethice, from Greek ēthikē, from ēthikos

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Philosophy Terms

dialectic, dualism, epistemology, existentialism, metaphysics, ontology, sequitur, solipsism, transcendentalism