Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with questions about morality and the principles of right and wrong behavior. It involves the systematic study of what constitutes good or bad actions, the nature of moral values, and the reasoning behind ethical decisions. Ethics seeks to understand the foundation of moral judgments and the implications of those beliefs on human conduct.
Ethics can be divided into several sub-disciplines, including normative ethics, which explores standards for determining right and wrong; applied ethics, which examines specific moral issues in various fields like medicine, business, and environmental concerns; and meta-ethics, which investigates the nature of ethical statements and theories.
Ethical theories, such as utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics, provide frameworks for evaluating moral problems, guiding individuals and societies in making decisions that align with moral principles. Ethics is essential in various contexts, influencing laws, professional practices, and personal conduct, and serves as a critical foundation for discussions about justice, human rights, and the common good.