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ETHICS
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The philosophical study of moral values and rules
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("ethics" is a kind of...):
philosophy (the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics)
Domain member category:
egoism ((ethics) the theory that the pursuit of your own welfare in the basis of morality)
descriptivism ((ethics) a doctrine holding that moral statements have a truth value)
prescriptivism ((ethics) a doctrine holding that moral statements prescribe appropriate attitudes and behavior)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "ethics"):
bioethics (the branch of ethics that studies moral values in the biomedical sciences)
casuistry (moral philosophy based on the application of general ethical principles to resolve moral dilemmas)
endaemonism; eudemonism (an ethical system that evaluates actions by reference to personal well-being through a life based on reason)
hedonism (an ethical system that evaluates the pursuit of pleasure as the highest good)
Derivation:
ethical (of or relating to the philosophical study of ethics)
ethician; ethicist (a philosopher who specializes in ethics)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Motivation based on ideas of right and wrong
Synonyms:
ethical motive; ethics; morality; morals
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("ethics" is a kind of...):
motivation; motive; need (the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "ethics"):
hedonism (the pursuit of pleasure as a matter of ethical principle)
conscience; moral sense; scruples; sense of right and wrong (motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions)
Christ Within; Inner Light; Light; Light Within (a divine presence believed by Quakers to enlighten and guide the soul)
Derivation:
ethical (conforming to accepted standards of social or professional behavior)
ethical (adhering to ethical and moral principles)
ethician; ethicist (a philosopher who specializes in ethics)
Context examples:
The branch of ethics that studies moral values in the biomedical sciences.
(Biomedical Ethics, NCI Thesaurus)
Candidates for this degree typically must complete course work in Greek or Hebrew, as well as systematic theology, biblical theology, ethics, homiletics and Christian ministry.
(Bachelor of Theology, NCI Thesaurus)
"To hell with your ethics!" the other burst out. "Come here and watch the weighing of this dust. I might cheat you."
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
A disorder characterized by an enduring pattern of inflexibility, extreme orderliness, and perfectionism which interfere with efficiency and which may manifest in many different contexts, including work and leisure activities, financial matters, and issues of morality or ethics.
(Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, NCI Thesaurus)
Ethics is a general term for what is often described as the "science of morality".
(Ethics, NCI Thesaurus)
It is a question neither of grammar nor ethics, but of fact.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
Remember, I am enunciating biology and not sentimental ethics.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
As a matter of ethics isn't the man who gives a bribe as bad as the man who takes a bribe? The receiver is as bad as the thief, you know; and you needn't console yourself with any fictitious moral superiority concerning this little deal.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
D’ye know, Hump, he said, with a slow seriousness which had in it an indefinable strain of sadness, that this is the first time I have heard the word ‘ethics’ in the mouth of a man. You and I are the only men on this ship who know its meaning.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
At one time in my life, he continued, after another pause, I dreamed that I might some day talk with men who used such language, that I might lift myself out of the place in life in which I had been born, and hold conversation and mingle with men who talked about just such things as ethics.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
